James Blanton is the new director of the Louisville Free Public Library, Mayor Greg Fischer announced Friday. He takes over for retiring director Craig Buthod, who announced his resignation in November after 17 years on the job.
Blanton currently serves as director for the Daviess County Public Library in Owensboro, a role he has served in since 2012. He previously spent 12 years in the Chesapeake Public Library system in Virginia.
In Owensboro, Blanton was one of the co-creators of “Unscripted,” a monthly series of films by local and regional artists.
He also was part of a team that developed a seed library in partnership with Western Kentucky Botanical Garden, and he helped launch a laptop and iPad lending program.
The mayor's office says Blanton's start date has not yet been determined.