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New Hanover County Selects Award-Winning Library Leader as New Director
Melanie Morgan, an experienced multi-branch library system director, will join the county on March 31.
Published on Feb. 25, 2026
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The New Hanover County Public Library system has named Melanie Morgan as its new director. Morgan, an award-winning library leader with experience directing multi-branch library systems, was selected for her work expanding access to library services in underserved communities and for her broadband expansion efforts, which earned recognition from the governor.
Why it matters
The New Hanover County Public Library system is at an important juncture, and the county believes Morgan's proven track record of growing library services, expanding access, and connecting communities to resources makes her the right person to lead the library into its next chapter.
The details
Morgan has served as director of libraries for the Neuse Regional Library system since 2018, overseeing a three-county, multi-branch system. Under her leadership, the system earned statewide recognition, including two 2024 North Carolina Public Library Directors Association awards and a finalist nomination for the 2022 Institute of Museum and Library Services National Medal. Prior to that, she served as director of Madison County Public Libraries, which won the Library Journal's Best Small Library in America Award.
- Morgan will join the New Hanover County Public Library system on March 31, 2026.
- In 2021, Morgan was named the North Carolina Public Library Director of the Year by the North Carolina Public Library Directors Association.
The players
Melanie Morgan
An award-winning library leader with experience directing multi-branch library systems, who was selected for her work expanding access to library services in underserved communities and for her broadband expansion efforts.
Chris Coudriet
The New Hanover County Manager, who believes Morgan is the right person to lead the library system into its next chapter.
What they’re saying
“Our public library system is at an important juncture, and I firmly believe we have found the right person to lead it into its next chapter. Melanie has a proven track record of growing library services, expanding access, and connecting communities to resources. Her peers recognized her as the best library director in North Carolina, which speaks volumes to who she is, and we are thrilled to welcome her to our team.”
— Chris Coudriet, County Manager (foxwilmington.com)
“I am truly excited to be joining the New Hanover County team in this role. With our beautiful new Grace District facility in the heart of downtown, amazing programming and staff in place at our Pine Valley, Northeast and Pleasure Island branches, and the Northchase Library scheduled to open later this year, it's an opportunity to engage with our residents and showcase what makes libraries so vital to the community.”
— Melanie Morgan (foxwilmington.com)
What’s next
Morgan will officially join the New Hanover County Public Library system on March 31, 2026.
The takeaway
The selection of Melanie Morgan, an award-winning library leader with a proven track record of expanding access and connecting communities to library resources, signals New Hanover County's commitment to strengthening its public library system and making it a vital community asset.
