RCLS hires a new library director and gets three new Board appointees
Application deadline for the County's remaining Board seat is July 28
The Rutherford County Library System (RCLS) will begin the 2025-2026 fiscal year on July 1 with a newly hired library director and three new Board members.
RCLS hires a new director
The RCLS Board has hired Luanne James as the system’s new Director of Libraries. WGNS Radio reports that Ms. James “brings over 25 years of leadership in public libraries across Texas and South Carolina, most recently serving with the York County Public Library System in Fort Mill [SC].” Ms. James will join RCLS on July 28, 2025.
Read more from RCLS’s announcement on Facebook.
Three new members appointed to the RCLS Board
The RCLS Board will add three new members effective July 1.
At its June 5 meeting, Murfreesboro City Council unanimously approved Mayor Shane McFarland’s recommendation to appoint Darrell Thomas to serve as the City’s new representative on the RCLS Board through June 2028.
On June 9, the Rutherford County Steering, Legislative, and Governmental Committee selected Ruth Allison Belt and K. Beth Duffield to serve as the County’s newest representatives on the RCLS Board. Their terms will also run through June 2028. The Steering Committee chose Ms. Belt and Ms. Duffield through an open interview process that initially included eight applicants. The County Commission approved the Steering Committee’s recommendation of Belt and Duffield at its June 12 meeting.
County announces an additional RCLS Board vacancy
The County Commission also announced a new RCLS Board vacancy to be filled following Phil King’s early retirement. This appointment will fulfill the remainder of Mr. King’s term, which runs through June 2026. The Steering Committee will interview and vote on applicants for this position at its August 4 meeting.
Applications are due to the County Mayor’s office by July 28 [Application form - PDF].
RCLS Board roster, 2025-2026 (as of 6/27/25)
Rutherford County (4 seats)Phil King Vacant (through June 2026)
Ruth Allison Belt (through June 2028)
K. Beth Duffield (through June 2028)
Cody York (through June 2026); Chair 2025-26
City of Murfreesboro (4)
Sam Huddleston (through June 2028); Vice-chair 2025-26
Susan Quesenberry (through June 2027); Secretary 2025-26
Dina Piazza (through June 2026)
Darrell Thomas (through June 2028)
Town of Smyrna (2)
Lisa Brewer (through June 2027); Treasurer 2025-26
Benjamin Groce (through June 2027)
Eagleville (1)
Vacant (Note: This position has been vacant for several years.)
Upcoming deadlines and meetings
7/21 - RCLS Board meeting, Technology Engagement Center, 5:00 p.m.
7/28 - Deadline to submit applications for RCLS Board appointment to Rutherford County Mayor’s Office (end of business day)
8/4 - Rutherford County Steering Committee to interview and select an RCLS Board appointee for recommendation to the County Commission