Careers
Mission, Vision, Brand Promise & Core Values
Mission: Improve lives and build a stronger community
Vision: The essential connector of a thriving community of readers, leaders and learners
Brand Promise: Accessible and welcoming to all, our public library celebrates and supports the joy of reading and learning, fosters exploration and personal growth, and connects individuals to each other, the community, and the world. In short, we help people think, “I can.”
Core Values:
Learning – We connect children, teens and adults with reading and information to expand curiosity, explore interests, and discover passions.
Openness – We provide a friendly, helpful learning environment that supports free access to library resources and the exchange of information.
Respect – We act with integrity, deliver exceptional service, and earn the public’s trust as responsible stewards of its resources.
Inclusion – We celebrate diversity, invite multiple points of view, and recognize the potential of every individual.
Leadership – We embrace the Library’s role as community leader and empower staff to learn, innovate and lead.
Culture
The organizational purpose of FOREWORD calls for the pursuit of greatness in the service of others. It asks employees to be driven by more than personal gain. It gives meaning to work, conjures individual emotion, and incites collective action. Each organization, and its brand(s), has a story. And in the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library system, we are its authors. We are a trusted, collaborative, and passionate group of curators, connectors, and enablers. What our customers and community seek, we help find, whether that be information or resources for education, work, or pleasure.
We have the purpose and privilege of equalizing and improving the lives of all our citizens and advancing our community through trusted content, knowledge, and connections. We are the keepers of our history and the gateway to the future. We improve lives and connect the communities in our system, creating a contagious joy that fuels our mission. In all that we do, we help write the next chapter for Mecklenburg County so that together, we move FOREWORD.
These are our six guiding principles:
Mecklenburg County Equity Vision and Mission
Equity Vision Statement: all people in Mecklenburg County will have an equitable opportunity to thrive in the workplace and in the community.
Equity Mission: To build and sustain a culture of equity and inclusion across the county through understanding, analyzing and eliminating the root causes of racial disparities and advancing equitable policies, practices and procedures, creating a culture of equity to meet the needs of all residents.
Employee Testimonials
Daija W., Library Assistant
What I love about my position and working at CML is being able to be useful/resourceful to the public; I truly believe that I thrive off being able to complete the needs of patrons and being showered with their appreciation. I also appreciate the opportunities I have to not be limited within the role that I play within my branch; there are always opportunities to grow and learn new things to advance me as an employee.
Why I Work Here
I work at the library because it aligns with a lot of my passions, as well as being a place of business that I actually enjoy coming to. I always told myself I wanted to work somewhere that I'm passionate about and that's also good for my mental health. CML fits the criteria!
My Favorite Book & Author
My favorite book is Seven Days in June by Tia Williams because I thoroughly enjoyed reading about a well-crafted black romance and although it tackles black trauma, it didn't center it.
Kristina A., Adult Services Librarian
As an Adult Services Librarian, I love the variety of things I get to do every day, and I love the diversity of people who visit the branch but who also are out in our community. A typical day could be pulling holds (and finding interesting books while I'm at it), a couple of hours on the Information Desk answering a variety of questions, an outreach teaching senior citizens about ChatGPT, and meeting with staff across the system planning the relaunch of our summer reading program.
Why I Work Here
My managers and coworkers are a big part of why I enjoy working for CML. We support each other and are always helping each other out, from cross-training in another department or assisting at a festival or farmer's market.
My Favorite Book & Author
I don't have a favorite book, so I'll share some of my favorite types of books. I adore romance books and am so glad to see how the genre has exploded in popularity and diversity in the past few years. Abby Jimenez in particular is a favorite author for the depth of topics she brings to the genre. I also love getting a glimpse of someone else's experiences through biographies and memoirs, particularly audiobooks read by the person. Finally, I love travel writing. I get to experience so many cultures, places, and countries for free—this sounds like a good idea for a new book club!
Barbara C., Early Literacy Program Manager
As the Early Literacy Program Manager, I enjoy working with multiple communities in Charlotte-Mecklenburg. Through the Family Literacy program Learning Together, I get to work with children from the time they're babies and see the progress they make in all areas of development, from starting to walk and talk to learning the basics of reading. When they leave our program and go off to school, we know they're on a path to success. When they come back to visit our program, they share how well they're doing in school.
Why I Work Here
It's very inspiring to be surrounded by people who have a passion for literacy, the community and education. I love the wide reach of the library through its 21 locations and outreach. It's great knowing that we are a loved institution in the county.
My Favorite Book & Author
This is a hard question to answer, I don't think I have a favorite, but I'll try to narrow it down to a few. I enjoy poetry from a Uruguayan author, Mario Benedetti. A children's author I like is Pablo Bernasconi, a fellow Argentinian, and his book Hippos Can Swim. My all-time favorite author is probably Isabel Allende and her book A Long Petal of the Sea.
Learning & Development
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library encourages its employees to discover and grow their skills while receiving support in building their careers. Whether you want to branch out your skills in your current position or are interested in becoming a leader in our organization, there are opportunities available to all staff.
Learning and Development Opportunities Snapshot:
- Annual Performance Management Process
- Individual Development Plans: Create a plan designed specifically for your desired areas of growth.
- Internal and external trainings
- Internal branch and departmental retreats
- Local and National Conferences
- Job Shadowing
- …and so much more!
Employee Benefits
Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
Medical, dental, and vision insurance is available to eligible employees. The Library provides medical through BlueCross BlueShield and dental insurance through CIGNA. Vision coverage is administered by EyeMed.
401(k)
The Library offers a 401(k) program through Empower—a simple and rewarding way to save for your future.
Sick Leave
Eligible employees begin earning sick leave credit on their first day of employment. Full-time employees who do not use any sick leave for 7 pay periods earn 4 additional vacation hours.
Life Insurance
Life Insurance is available to eligible employees in various amounts of coverage. The Library offers Basic Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) insurance at no cost for employees through UNUM. We also offer life insurance coverage for your spouse and children.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
The Library provides confidential help for personal, work-related and family problems. There is no cost to the employee or family member.
Parking
All employees are provided free parking at Library branches and at select lots in the uptown area for Main and ImaginOn employees.
Retirement
The Library contributes to the NC Local Employee's Retirement System and eligible employees contribute 6% of their gross wages to the system. Employees are fully vested after 5 years of membership.
Vacation
Eligible employees begin accruing vacation credit on their first day of employment. Up to 30 days of unused vacation may be transferred from one year to the next.
Holidays
The Library provides a series of paid holidays.
Internships
What is MeckPathways?
MeckPathways is a partnership between Mecklenburg County Government and Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools. The program provides students an opportunity to gain professional work experience that connects their classroom experiences and potential career choices. The goal of the program is to provide a variety of opportunities for students to learn about public service professions.
In partnership with Mecklenburg County, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library offers internship opportunities that allows students to gain valuable, hands-on knowledge in a career field of interest. Interning with Charlotte Mecklenburg Library will get you exposure of the library system, networking and making important connections with library staff and patrons. If you want to make an impact in our community, check out the opportunities available on www.Mecknc.gov
Applicant Requirements
Applicant must be a CMS high school junior or senior Minimum Age: 16 years old by May 3, 2025. No experience is required.
Program Information:
Pay Rate: $15 per hour Program Dates for 2025: June to August.
Potential Work Week: 20 - 40 hours per week
Internship Opportunities
More information to come on how you can intern with Charlotte Mecklenburg Library as a college student.
Volunteering
Are you interested in volunteering at Charlotte Mecklenburg Library? Here at CML, we have many opportunities that allow you to share your talents, meet new people, learn a new skill and much more.
Volunteering
Are you interested in volunteering at Charlotte Mecklenburg Library? Here at CML, we have many opportunities that allow you to share your talents, meet new people, learn a new skill and much more.
FAQs
Once you submit your application, you will receive an online acknowledgement that the application has been received. Your application will be reviewed to determine eligibility and potential for interview. If you are selected for an interview you will be contacted. If you have not heard from us within 30 days, you may assume the position has been filled.
Yes, we only accept online applications. To apply for a position, you must have a valid email address.
You may utilize the Internet accessible free computers at any Charlotte Mecklenburg Library to apply for a job.
No, to view job openings you do not need to register. However, to apply for a job you must register and have a valid email address.
The applicant system allows you to attach documents such as resumes and cover letters to your application. There is a field in the profile for a Cover Letter to be copied/pasted into a box. There is also a resume upload field in the profile. The reference areas are in the employment application, which you will see when applying for the first time.
You may apply for more than one job at a time. However, you must complete an application for each position for which you apply.
Applications are reviewed for compliance with job requirements and a determination is made on whether or not an interview will be granted. Candidates may be interviewed several times before a decision is made. Once the final decision is made, all candidates who were interviewed will be notified of the outcome of the position.
No, we understand your desire to know what is happening with your application. You may follow the status of your application via the application system.
The application has a Save & Return button at the bottom, however, since the application is a requirement, your interest in the job will not be submitted until you have completed the employment application.
Aside from a cover letter, resume and references (mentioned above), documents cannot be attached to the profile.
The job postings list is updated weekly with available jobs.
Free computers with Internet access are available at any Charlotte Mecklenburg Library. If you live in another community, please check with your local library for computer and Internet accessibility.
Each error advises the candidate of the requirement that is missing.
Yes, you may apply for more than one job at a time.
Please utilize the “I forgot my password” feature on the applicant system.
Yes, you can print the application using the standard web browser functionality.
Your profile will stay in the system indefinitely and you can update it at any time.
Yes, all applicants, internal and external, must submit an application for any position for which they are applying.
Following your application submission, you will not get the confirmation screen immediately, instead your screen will resolve to the EEO page. After completing your interest submittal you should see the confirmation screen and receive a confirmation email.
The Library is an equal opportunity employer, committed to diversity in the workplace.