Early voting started October 21, 2021 through October 30, 2021. There are seven (7) early voting locations, which include these four Libraries:

• Davidson Library –  119 South Main Street, Davidson, NC 28036
• Matthews Library - 230 Matthews Station St., Matthews, NC 28105
• Mint Hill Library -  6840 Matthews - Mint Hill Road, Mint Hill, NC 28227
• North County Regional Library - 16500 Holly Crest Lane, Huntersville, NC 2807

Voting hours will vary. For all seven early voting locations and voting hours, please click here. 

For more information, please visit the Mecklenburg County Board of Elections website here.

This promotion has ended.

Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on the past year and focus on what you are thankful for. The Charlotte Mecklenburg Library is thankful for YOU, our customers!  And as a gift to our customers, we are selecting a small collection of e-books that will be available instantly with no waiting in our OverDrive/Libby resource.

This week only the below titles will be available to check out with no holds.  If you currently have one of these titles on hold, your hold will be immediately filled!  You can check out up to three of these titles.  Enjoy!

Dune by Frank Herbert (e-book)

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig (e-book)

The Hating Game by Sally Thorne (e-book)

The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi (audiobook)

Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari (audiobook)

New Kid by Jerry Craft (youth audiobook)

How to Catch a Turkey by Adam Wallace (youth e-book)

Pete the Cat's 12 Groovy Days of Christmas (youth e-book)

The Bone Witch by Rin Chupeco (teen fiction)

One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus (teen audiobook)

Promotion ends November 28, 2021 at 11:59 p.m.

­­--

This blog was written by Amy Richard, library collections manager at Charlotte Mecklenburg Library.

This blog was written as part of Charlotte Mecklenburg Library's Black Lives Matter program initiative. Learn  more about the program and corresponding events here.

Business executive Sheryl Sandberg takes a simple view of workplace diversity.  The billionaire and philanthropist said, “We are building products that people with very diverse backgrounds use, and I think we all want our company makeup to reflect the makeup of the people who use our products.”  And that’s enough said.

In keeping with Sandberg’s work philosophy, diversity and inclusion (“D&I”) in the workplace would be a company priority.  That follows in line as a response to the racial unrest in 2020 following the deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and others.  Street protests sprang up around the world as the events fueled the Black Lives Matter movement with growth and acceptance.  So, last September, when Glassdoor, a company review website, published its survey about D&I with adult employees and jobseekers, their findings were not surprising. It revealed many survey participants check how companies address D&I, and value those companies that do.     

Creating a diverse workplace is an understandable component to the process of a nation with growing multiracial populations.  To react otherwise is to deny talent, expertise, and profit-making opportunities.  And yet, the current efforts are lacking.

Diversity and Inclusion Strategist La’Wana Harris details several missteps when company management is not supportive of change.  In her book, Diversity Beyond Lip Service: a coaching guide for changing bias, Harris writes that these include company management giving a deaf ear to new voices, minority hiring for company “window dressing,” and employees attending an unbiased training workshop without follow-up to pursue the training.  Harris explains further in individual stories of failure and success for the cause of D&I, which she concludes needs strong and consistent support from committed company elites—typically, white men—to make the process work.  Until then, the path is rocky with an unsteady ride. 

An additional problem is the use of microaggressions in the workplace.  Microaggressions are identified as “indirect expressions of racism, sexism, ageism, or ableism,” according to a June 2020 article in the Business Insider newspaper.  Specifically, the article points out 14 troublesome comments and questions to minorities and others in marginalized groups.  For example, the question to an African American woman asking if her hair is “real” may imply her appearance is unprofessional.  As a response, the article recommends that question should not be asked and “natural hair, regardless of their ethnicity, should be accepted as professional and workplace-friendly.”

Repeated microaggressions can take a toll and cause stress such as racial trauma. In February 2019, the American Psychological Association published “Uncovering the Trauma of Racism” and identified workplace discrimination as a traumatizing act of racism, and thus, being a form of racial trauma. One book, with a featured booklist of this topic of workplace diversity, focuses on the possible hurt one can face in Right Within: how to heal from Racial Trauma in the Workplace by Minda Harts.  She shares from her experiences, and from others, to unpack and expose painful work situations while moving on to heal herself and encourage the reader.

The previously mentioned booklist is “Creating Workplace Diversity.” It features eight library books detailing the goal achieving diversity in the workplace with personal stories, research, challenges, and inspiration.         

Access the booklist here

--

This blog was written by Lawrence Turner, adult services librarian at South County Regional Library.

Bring the joy of browsing the shelves to your phone with the Library’s new and improved mobile app. With new titles, staff lists and programs featured on the homepage, the new mobile app will provide a discovery every time you log in.  Access Charlotte Mecklenburg Library from your Android and Apple iOS phone or tablet anywhere 24/7. Search for "CMLibrary" or "Charlotte Mecklenburg Library" to download! The name of the new app will remain the same.

The new app will be available to download from the Google Play Store or the iPhone Store on December 1, 2021. After December 1, 2021, the old CMLibrary app will not be accessible. Your information linked to your Library card will be transferred over once you log into the new app. 

Notable Features with the new app: 

• In-app Library card that can be used to check out materials 

• Manage your account, search the catalog, renew and reserve books 

• Scan the barcode of any book to see which branches have it available 

• Find branch location information with the most up-to-date information on Library hours and closures 

• See and register for events and programs through the Library calendar 

• View new titles, curated staff lists and recommendations 

• Connect with us on social media 

• Access our homepage 

• Pay fees 

See below for a sneak peek at the new features.

New home screen with easy to access menu at the top and discovery of new items at the Library.

See the upcoming programs and register right in-app. Check out the curated staff pick lists from Charlotte Mecklenburg Library's own librarians.

Find your next great read and place it on hold. Easily select the location where you would like to pick it up.

See all of the Library's locations and the most up-to-date branch hours and closures.

Forget your Library card while at one of our branches? Don't worry! You can access it in the app.

Update your settings, including your email account, within the app. Never miss one of the Library's updates.

Need help finding and downloading the new mobile app?

Open the App Store on your iPhone or Google Play Store on your Android phone.

Search for cmlibrary or Charlotte Mecklenburg Library and look for the i can app and click install.

Need to find your Library card?

Find your Library card on the home screen of the app here.

----

This blog was updated on December 7, 2021. 

There are a few things that can be overlooked when we think of helping the community - including the importance of clean laundry and childhood literacy. Millions of families in underserved communities visit laundromats each week to fulfil the basic need for clean clothes. For many families, fulfilling this basic need can be challenging.  



The LaundryCares Foundation, an organization dedicated to helping laundromat owners provide services such as Free Laundry and Literacy Day and childhood literacy services to families in underserved communities, hopes to provide access to clean laundry and encourage childhood literacy during Free Laundry and Literacy Day in partnership with  Too Small to Fail, a public awareness and action campaign promoting the importance of early brain and language development, and Charlotte Mecklenburg Library. Free Laundry and Literacy Day is an event that hopes to ease some of the stress around dreaded laundry day by offering free laundry services, free early learning activities, and free food and drinks for those in the community. Also, be on the lookout, Sir Purr from the Carolina Panthers will be in attendance from 3-3:30 p.m., you don’t want to miss him! 

"Everyone is excited to help this new store open its doors and already give back to the neighborhood the business will serve,” said Dan Naumann, executive vice president of the LaundryCares Foundation. “We’re especially grateful for the installation of the new Family Read, Play & Learn Space here; it’s perfect for this location.”   



During Free Laundry and Literacy Day, members of the community are encouraged to bring in an unlimited amount of laundry to wash for free while children participate in early literacy activities with Marilyn Price, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library’s master puppeteer. There will also be a ribbon-cutting for a new Family Read, Play, & Learn space within LaundroLab. This learning space will offer comfortable seating with high-quality books, toys, and other learning materials designed to help parents and caregivers engage in literacy-rich activities with their children while they wait for their laundry.  

According to an independent study conducted by New York University (NYU), Family Read, Play, & Learn spaces in laundromats had an overwhelmingly positive effect on children’s literacy-related activity. The article also revealed that: 

• “When spaces were paired with librarians, children engaged in substantial and sustained literacy activities.” 

• “Parents expressed pride and delight as they observed their children’s literacy-related activities.” 

The LaundryCares Foundation will provide free children’s books to attendees to help children maintain great literacy habits at home. 

“We are excited to offer this event to our valued members of the community,” Dan Naumann continued. “Creating literacy-related spaces that provide books, play materials, and engage children developmentally not only creates a stronger generation, but also brings more families into the laundromat- which is a win-win for everyone.” 

Event Details: 

When: Friday, December 10, 2021, 1-6 p.m. 

Where: The Laundry Room - 901 E Arrowood Rd, Charlotte, NC 28217. We are excited to offer this event to our valued members of the community.  

Creating literacy related spaces that provide books, play materials, and engage children developmentally not only creates a stronger generation, but also brings more families into the laundromat- which is a win-win for everyone.  

Visit www.laundrycares.org to learn more about the LaundryCares Foundation. 

-- 

This blog was written by Taylor Gantt, marketing and communications intern with Charlotte Mecklenburg Library.  

Charlotte Mecklenburg Library is pleased to announce the addition of O’Reilly for Public Libraries to our customers. O’Reilly for Public Libraries provides unlimited access to 50K+ titles (including O’Reilly books in early release), 30K+ hours of video, case studies from top companies, learning paths, expert playlists, and more—with nearly 1,000 topics to explore in technology and business. O’Reilly provides a range of content formats tailored to all levels so you can learn in the way that works best for you. O’Reilly merges technology and business learning into one resource, great for students, job seekers, techies and anyone wanting to improve their skills at their own pace. 

There are so many features available in O’Reilly for Public Libraries. Expert Playlists are handpicked content on various topics from industry leaders. Learning Paths are expert instructor led modules designed to guide you through a topic. “Explore O’Reilly Answers” will suggest content in books, videos, and more to further explore your topic. Click on one of the provided questions or ask your own. 

Looking for the digital versions of O’Reilly books on topics such as python, software architecture, and terraform? Click “Explore” on the toolbar tab. Here you can find the most popular titles and early releases! Of course, the search bar at the top will also guide you to books, videos, learning paths and more.

Tips to get the best experience from O’Reilly for Public Libraries:

• O’Reilly E-books are always available for streaming on your computer or mobile device with an internet connection.
• Screenshot or record where you leave off when using O’Reilly for Public Libraries. The resource doesn’t allow for personal accounts so it will not save your work or place in a book.

O’Reilly for Public Libraries can be found on the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library’s Resources page. Access all the Library’s resources for free with your library card. Don’t have one? Sign up here! If you need more help with the resources covered in this blog, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library staff are available to help by email, chat and phone. 

--

 This blog was written by Amy Richard, library collections manager at Charlotte Mecklenburg Library.

It’s the holiday season and you know what that means: decorating, holiday baking, present wrapping, holiday gatherings, and...11 days off from school! While Winter Break is a much-needed respite from the hustle of school, you may hear these dreaded words (albeit hopefully not on your first day off) from the students in your household: “I’m SO bored!”. Luckily, we’ve got you covered at Charlotte Mecklenburg Library to keep children engaged in creative, educational, and fun free programming this Winter Break.

Storytime Fun

Charlotte Mecklenburg Library is known for fabulous daily storytimes featuring songs, rhymes, books, and movement activities that support literacy skill development and help foster a love of books and reading in your child. During Winter Break our Library staff facilitate Winter themed Storytimes sure to capture your child’s attention! Register online by clicking the links to these upcoming Storytimes during Winter Break: Visit with Santa Storytime, Winter Wonderland Storytime, Grandparent Celebration Storytime, Winter Celebration Storytime, and The Snowy Day Active Reading Storytime! Storytimes will also be live streamed on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9:30 a.m. on ImaginOn Library's Facebook page, and YouTube page. Participate with the entire family to add excitement to your Winter Break!

Educational Programs 

Charlotte Mecklenburg Library programs are also educational to keep your child’s academic skills sharp! Rookie Science programs and STEAM 101 programs are available this Winter Break to learn and develop creativity and critical thinking skills. Register online and stop by the library branch listed to pick up a packet of supplies to use during the virtual program! Feel free to participate as well by using supplies from home. Make a glitter bottle art project, an exploding snowman, holiday shower bath bombs and more by participating in these enjoyable and educational virtual programs with your favorite Library staff. Programs are available to celebrate the New Year as well! Participate in a fun puppet show or a countdown to New Year’s Eve program.

Programs for All Ages

Do you have a preteen or teen out of school for Winter Break, too? Programs are available to fill your preteen or teen’s winter break also! Participate in gaming programs, mock interview sessions to prepare for a job interview, writing programs and more. You’ll want to save the date for our Winter Break Read-In as well! Parents and Caregivers should also take advantage of free programming at Charlotte Mecklenburg Library by browsing our vast array of programs on our online calendar.

Come Visit

If you need to get out of the house, your whole family is invited to come visit your nearest Library branch! Libraries are open every day for you to browse the collection as a family, or save time by placing your books on hold online so they are ready for you to pick up when you arrive. Not sure what books to check out? Ask our Library staff! Library staff love to share book recommendations and point your child in the right direction. Staff members also curate lists of books online that are a great place to start! Check out and read a great book this Winter Break.

We hope you will consider spending time with us this Winter Break and exchange your child’s dreaded boredom to enthusiastic amusement at all that Charlotte Mecklenburg Library has to offer!

--

This blog was written by Elyse Berrier, library program coordinator at Charlotte Mecklenburg Library.