Robert E. Cannon
Director, Broward County Library 
 
Robert E. Cannon brings over 30 years of solid public library work experience to his current position as the Director of Broward County Library, the ninth largest public library system in the United States. Mr. Cannon oversees Broward County Library's 37 locations and more than 1,000 employees as well as an annual budget exceeding $70 million. Named Library of the Year by Library Journal and Gale Research, Broward County Library has more than three million items in its collection and boasts the highest program attendance per capita among larger U.S. libraries.

Since his arrival in 2003, Mr. Cannon has emphasized the growing role of technology in libraries, making it as an integral as traditional library services. Under Mr. Cannon, Broward County Library has increased the size and scope of its Internet presence by expanding its website and offering more online resources and databases. Over a half-a-million web pages are viewed each month by several hundred thousand visitors. Additionally, he has added wireless "hot spots" to all Broward County Libraries, increased the number of computers available for public usage as well as the number of technology workshops and computer classes. Mr. Cannon also utilizes technology to facilitate open and free communication between library administration and staff. For example, he sends out a weekly message to staff via the intranet and encourages staff to ask him direct questions anonymously via e-mail.

Mr. Cannon has also overseen the implementation of the 1999, $139.9 million Library Bond Issue that has provided funds for the construction of new libraries and the refurbishing/reconstruction of existing facilities in rapidly expanding Broward County. In the past four years, he has broken ground and celebrated library openings at 23 ceremonies. Additional libraries are currently under construction with a handful of projects opening in the next few years including a new 55,000 square foot children's museum/library complex.

Previously, Mr. Cannon was the Executive Director of the Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County in Charlotte, North Carolina (PLCMC), which received the prestigious Library Journal/Gale Research "Library of the Year." Under Mr. Cannon's leadership, PLCMC won many accolades for his innovative approach to marketing, technology usage and the integration of community and corporate resources. He was awarded "Library Director of the Year" by the North Carolina Library Director's Association and a "Pegasus" award from the Charlotte Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America "in recognition of his dedication to building a nationally recognized library system." Mr. Cannon was the first U.S. member of the "International Network of Public Libraries" a library study group, consisting of libraries throughout Europe, Canada, New Zealand, Australia and others, funded by the Bertelsmann Foundation in Germany.

Additionally, he oversaw the creation and development of ImaginON - The Joe and Joan Martin Center, a $36 million joint-use project of PLCMC and Charlotte Children's Theater. Six years of planning and fundraising resulted in a one-of-kind facility, opened in 2005, that includes theaters, youth libraries, classrooms, computer labs, and interactive displays.

In 2004 he was awarded the "Bridge Builders Award" by Partners for Livable Communities in Washington, D.C., with partners Bruce LaRowe, Executive Director for the Charlotte Children's Theater and Kenneth D. Lewis, President and Chief Executive Officer of Bank of America, for the creation, fundraising efforts and successes and construction of ImaginOn.

Prior to his work in Charlotte, Mr. Cannon was Director of Libraries for Kern County Library in Bakersfield California. He also worked for Tulare and San Diego County libraries and the Altadena Library District, all in California.

Mr. Cannon earned a master's degree in library science from the University of Southern California and a master's degree in public administration from San Diego State University. He received his undergraduate degree in music performance for the trumpet, which he still plays.

Mr. Cannon currently lives in Coral Springs, Florida with his wife, and has a son who attends college abroad majoring in trumpet music performance.