David Lee Leamon (July 31, 1939 - April 23, 2018) was a

public library A public library is a library that is accessible by the general public and is usually funded from public sources, such as taxes. It is operated by librarians and library paraprofessionals, who are also Civil service, civil servants. There are ...

administrator from the United States.

Education and early career

Leamon received his bachelor's degree with a double major in Fine Art and Theater from

Central Missouri State University The University of Central Missouri (UCM) is a public university in Warrensburg, Missouri. In 2019, enrollment was 11,229 students from 49 states and 59 countries on its 1,561-acre campus. UCM offers 150 programs of study, including 10 pre-profes ...

in Warrensburg, Missouri. He earned his

Master of Library Science The Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS), also referred to as the Master of Library and Information Studies, is the master's degree that is required for most professional librarian positions in the United States. The MLIS is a relat ...

from Case Western University. Leamon began his library career at Mid-Continent Public Library in the

Kansas City, Missouri Kansas City (abbreviated KC or KCMO) is the largest city in Missouri by population and area. As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 508,090 in 2020, making it the 36th most-populous city in the United States. It is the central ...

area. He next served at the Tulsa Public Library in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He then served as a regional director for the Seattle Public Library in Seattle, Washington.

Later career

While director of the Jackson Public Library in

Jackson, Michigan Jackson is the only city and county seat of Jackson County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 33,534, down from 36,316 at the 2000 census. Located along Interstate 94 and U.S. Route 127, it is approxi ...

, Leamon oversaw the creation of the Jackson District Library, which combined the public libraries of Jackson, Brooklyn,

Spring Arbor Spring Arbor is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Jackson County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population of the CDP was 2,881 at the 2010 census, up from 2,188 at the 2000 census. The CDP is located withi ...

and Springport. As director of the San Antonio Public Library in San Antonio, Texas from 1989–1992, Leamon worked closely with Ricardo Legorreta during the construction of the landmark main library. He also oversaw the Hertzberg Circus Museum. Leamon finished his career at the Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library in Topeka, Kansas. During his time in Topeka, Leamon led the effort to create a new Library District. Leamon assisted in expanding the Library Foundation, including playing a major role in raising over $4 million in support of Library activities. He also oversaw the construction of the new main library which was designed by Michael Graves While at the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library, Leamon was honored with the naming of the David L. Leamon Circulation Lobby In addition to his work as a library director, Leamon was active in the art community in every city where he lived. In Topeka, he was the leading force behind the creation of the Aaron Douglas Mural Project. On November 17, 2008, Leamon came out of retirement to take a job as the Executive Director of the Lawrence Arts Center, a job which he kept until July 28, 2009.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Leamon, David L. American librarians 1939 births 2018 deaths