FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: MEDIACONTACT: March 13, 2-25 Kevin Trager – kevin.trager@louisvilleky.gov Louisville Free Public Library Director to Retire After 28 Years of Service Mayor Greenberg to Lead National Search for Replacement March 13, 2025 (LOUISVILLE, Ky.) – Today Mayor Craig Greenberg announced that Lee Burchfield, executive director of the Louisville Free Public Library (LFPL), will retire from Metro Government effective June 1, 2025. The announcement comes just after Mayor Greenberg and Director Burchfield re-opened the historic Parkland Library with renovations ongoing at the Portland Library and Main Library and construction underway at the new Fern Creek Library. “I appreciate Lee’s leadership and know he is leaving a strong foundation for us to continue building on,” said Mayor Greenberg. “Libraries are so incredibly important to the fabric of our community, which is why I’ve provided $15 million in capital funding over the last two years to help improve and build new libraries in every corner of our community.” Burchfield started his career with LFPL in 1997 as anAssistant Branch Manager at the Iroquois Branch Library. He has served as director for six years. “It’s been a privilege to lead the library for the past six years,” said Director Burchfield. “Libraries provide an incredible array of services and resources that help our users prepare for school success, achieve their educational goals, and continually develop their career skills. Every day our employees engage with citizens in ways that change lives for the better. I couldn’t be prouder of what we’ve achieved together, and I know that great things lie ahead for our public libraries.” An interim director will be named shortlyr will be named shortly, and a national search will take place for the new LFPL director. ###