Foley Public Library Director John Jackson has taken a new position as executive director of the Campbell County Public Library System in Wyoming.

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FOLEY — John Jackson will leave his position as director of the Foley Public Library to take a new job as executive director of the Campbell County Public Library System in Wyoming.

Jackson has been director of the Foley Public Library since 2013. Under Jackson's leadership, the Foley Public Library has been nationally recognized as one of the top libraries in its category. It has also been voted the best library in Gulf Coast Media's Best of Baldwin contest for five consecutive years.
Mayor Ralph Hellmich praised Jackson's work.

"John has done an outstanding job with our library since taking over," Hellmich said. "Under his leadership, the library's record of excellence has been outstanding. It has been voted Best of Baldwin many times and is one of the busiest in Baldwin. I have no doubt John will succeed at his new bigger challenge in Wyoming. Thank you, Mr. Jackson."

In addition to overseeing the current operation of the library, Jackson and other Foley officials have been planning the construction of a new $20 million library to replace the current facility in 2025.

Before becoming Foley's library director, Jackson was director of the Baldwin County Archives and History Department from the time of its creation in 2005 until 2013. As the first director, Jackson created the Archives Department, overseeing the professional staff who designed and built the county archives building, hired the first staff and developed the archives process for the county.
A statement from Campbell County said Jackson will be a major benefit to the library system.

"This combined experience has garnered John extensive knowledge in staffing, budgets, policy development and building relationships with stakeholders," the statement said. "John's proven history allows him to bring a positive approach to managing day-to-day library operations and expanding the library's role in the community."

Jackson was one of five finalists interviewed for the Wyoming job after the position became vacant in July.

As Campbell County executive director, Jackson will manage a library system that is twice the size of Foley's with a larger staff.