Fulton County library director headed to New Orleans

Metropolitan Parkway branch of the Fulton County Library System. AJC FILE PHOTO

Metropolitan Parkway branch of the Fulton County Library System. AJC FILE PHOTO

The director of the Fulton County library system is leaving the county for a job in New Orleans, according to a statement from that city.

Gabriel Morley came to Fulton County in 2016, and was the first permanent director since 2012. At the time, he said he wanted to use the system to foster new ideas about what a library could be.

Morley has spearheaded projects including an initiative to allow Atlanta Public Schools students to use their student IDs as library cards. He's also been the director through much of a project to rebuild and renovate library branches. The system is in the midst of a $275 million program.

Morley did not respond to an email seeking comment about his move.

In a statement, Fulton County Manager Dick Anderson said Morley had “provided outstanding leadership during a period of strategic expansion for the Fulton County Library System.”

In a statement released Tuesday, the New Orleans Public Library said Morley would be the new executive director of the system. He was chosen after a six-month, nationwide search.

Morley will lead the 15-branch library system beginning in January.

Fulton County will begin a nationwide search for his replacement.