By Laura Cavette 

As October draws to a close, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library's STEAM Month has ignited a passion for science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics. While this month-long event offers a diverse array of learning activities, it's worth noting that the Library's digital literacy resources are available year-round. More than just a series of classes, DigiLit is the library's dedicated digital literacy brand, designed to equip learners with essential skills for the digital age.  

Whether you're aiming to craft captivating social media graphics and event flyers through our Canva classes, harness the power of cloud-based storage in Getting Started with Google Drive, or dive into the realm of data organization and insightful chart creation with our Excel classes, DigiLit offers a variety of opportunities for learning and growth.  

Taught by live instructors, our classes cover a range of topics beyond Canva, Google Drive, and Excel, available both on Zoom and at some Library locations. Explore the full schedule of upcoming DigiLit classes by clicking here.  

Visit DigiLitCLT.org for more information. 

November is National Family Literacy Month, a celebration that has continued nationally since 1994 to raise awareness of the importance of families reading and learning together. Charlotte Mecklenburg Library fosters family literacy daily at all our Library branches and out in the community. We take time to recognize and celebrate the important role that parents and caregivers play in the development of children and seek to equip parents and caregivers with tools and resources to improve family literacy. 

 Check out these three resources that we hope to improve literacy in your family:  

1. Print and digital materials: Sharing in reading is the best way to improve literacy and foster a love of reading in your family. Allowing your child to select their books from our library collection is a great place to start! Create a weekly habit of visiting your local Library branch and checking out items your child is interested in. Here’s a pro tip: ask our wonderful library staff to show you around and help find the perfect book. If you cannot make it to a physical Library location, a plethora of electronic books await you online! Utilize Libby, Hoopla, or NC Kids Digital Library to find your next great e-book!   

2. Attend Library programs as a family: If you haven’t realized it yet, the 21st-century library is more than just books! Programs for all ages occur daily at the library; if you don’t believe it, just check out our online calendar of events! As always, all programming is free and open to everyone seeking to learn something new and connect with others in our community. Improving family literacy begins with seeking out knowledge! Attend a program together with your family, or show the importance of literacy by registering your child for an upcoming program (Reading Buddies, Storytimes, Creating with Art programs, Makerspace programs, the possibilities are endless!). There are many programs just for parents and caregivers, great for seeking out habits and ideas from others as we are all on this journey to literacy together. 

3. ‘Harvest’ readers in your family: Charlotte Mecklenburg Library strives to create readers, starting from birth and growing throughout all stages of life. Let us jump start family’s literacy journey this November at our upcoming “Harvesting Readers” Family Literacy Night! Visit any Library location on November 14th (drop in any time from 5:00-7:00 p.m., no registration required) for a fun-filled literacy-focused event perfect for the whole family! Learn ways to improve your child’s attitude and motivation for reading through completing fun activities as a family, and plan to attend a special program with your family at 6:00 p.m. You will not want to miss this special system-wide event. Fun surprises await, and every Library location will have a special drawing for a special prize for attendees!  

While we celebrate National Family Literacy Month this November, improving your family’s literacy will continue throughout the year, and Charlotte Mecklenburg Library seeks to be a trusted partner for your family’s literacy success. We cannot wait to ‘harvest’ a reader in each member of your family!  

*Written by Alesha Lackey, Regional Branch Manager at Allegra Westbrooks Regional Library*

Allegra Westbrooks Regional Library is gearing up for the 2023 Community Christmas Celebration! The event, held on Sunday, December 10, 2023, is an opportunity for the community to connect with the Library, local Black-owned businesses, and community resources while celebrating the holiday season.

The celebration is an afternoon of fun for the whole family with music, food, fellowship and an opportunity to have a photo taken with Allegra Westbrooks’s own soulful Santa.

The event will highlight local businesses like Chef Aniah Franklin of Chef FLii & Flight Crew. Franklin, a UNCC alum, has been a personal chef since 2017. North Carolina authors, Xavier Zsarmani, Sr. and Xavier Zsarmani, Jr. will read their debut picture book, How to Catch a Bully Fish.

Repeat vendor, Archive CLT will provide hot chocolate and coffee for the event. When asked to participate again this year, Terry said, “I am ready to put back on my green and red and celebrate with you all! We had so much fun last year!”

Opera Carolina in association with the Arts and Sciences Council will present Musical Storytime with a special performance of Hansel and Gretel. Participants will even be able to decorate their gingerbread-man-inspired cookies from Smallcakes Utopia. There will also be a special appearance by The Grinch!

Charlotte Mecklenburg Library is committed to equitable practices.  Located on Beatties Ford Road, Allegra Westbrooks Regional Library serves a diverse community. This event celebrates diversity and all vendors, presenters, and community partners who will participate were intentionally selected with that in mind.

Learn more and let us know you are coming by clicking this link.