Did you know that you can continue to stay connected to the Library while staying home? How would you like to participate in a virtual storytime with your family or receive resume help all from the comfort of your couch? Join Charlotte Mecklenburg Library every week for a wide range of virtual programming for children, teens and adults. See a complete listing of this upcoming programming for the week of 6/8/2020 below. Click the corresponding links for more information and register for programs where applicable.

Learn more about online programming by clicking here

Monday 6/8

Family Storytime – 9:30 a.m. (Children's programming)  LEARN MORE

Online Listen and Move Storytime – 10:30 a.m. (Children's programming)  LEARN MORE

French for Beginners – 11 a.m. (Adult programming)  REGISTER

Book a Librarian - Business Research – 11 a.m. (Adult programming)  REGISTER

One-on-One Tutoring and Enrichment – 11 a.m. (Children’s programming)  REGISTER

Mindful Mondays – 12 p.m. (Adult programming) REGISTER

Virtual Reading Buddies – 1 p.m.  (Children's programming) Register

Virtual Reading Buddies – 2 p.m.  (Children's programming)  Register

Book a Librarian – Technology – 2 p.m. (Adult programming)  REGISTER

One-on-One Tutoring and Enrichment - 2:30 p.m. (Children's programming)  REGISTER

Virtual Reading Buddies – 3 p.m.  (Children's programming)  Register

Traditional Storytelling – 3 p.m. (Children’s programming)  REGISTER

Tuesday 6/9              

Family Storytime – 9:30 a.m. (Children's programming)  LEARN MORE

Aprendiendo Juntos en Casa – 10 a.m. (information to be emailed to prior participants)

One-on-One Tutoring and Enrichment - 10 a.m. (Children's programming)  REGISTER

Cuentos Virtuales en Español - 10:30 a.m. (Children's programming)    Learn more

Book a Librarian - Business Research – 11 a.m. (Adult programming)   REGISTER

One-on-One Tutoring and Enrichment - 11 a.m. (Children's programming)  REGISTER

Engage 2020: Learning Circles: Women Have Always Worked (Part 2) – 11 a.m.  (Adult programming)  REGISTER

Career Development Intensive Coaching – 12 p.m. (Adult programming)  REGISTER

Virtual Reading Buddies – 1 p.m.  (Children's programming)  Register

Creating Virtual Resumes with the Job Help Center – 1 p.m. (Teen and Adult programming) REGISTER

Virtual Reading Buddies – 2 p.m.  (Children's programming)  Register

Book a Librarian - Technology – 2 p.m.  REGISTER

Story Explorers Enrichment – 2 p.m.   (Children's programming)  Register

One-on-One Tutoring and Enrichment - 2:30 p.m. (Children's programming)  REGISTER

Anime Club – 3 p.m.  (Teen programming)  Register

Traditional Storytelling – 3 p.m. (Children’s programming)   REGISTER

Virtual Reading Buddies – 3 p.m.  (Children's programming)  Register

Spanish Conversation Club – 5 p.m. (Adult programming)  Register

Active Reading Training for Caregivers of K-3 Students – 6 p.m.   Register

Wednesday 6/10

Family Storytime – 9:30 a.m.  (Children's programming)  LEARN MORE

Bridging the Social Distance: A Community Conversation – 10 a.m. (Adult programming)   Register

Online Listen and Move Storytime – 10:30 a.m. (Children's programming)  LEARN MORE

Book a Librarian - Business Research – 11 a.m. (Adult programming)  REGISTER

One-on-One Tutoring and Enrichment - 11 a.m. (Children's programming)  REGISTER

Learning Circle: Getting Started with Microsoft Excel - 1 p.m.  (Adult programming)  Register

Virtual Reading Buddies – 1 p.m.  (Children's programming)  Register 

Finding Home: A Community Conversation – 2 p.m. (Adult programming)  Register

Virtual Reading Buddies – 2 p.m.  (Children's programming)  Register

Book a Librarian - Technology – 2 p.m.  REGISTER

One-on-One Tutoring and Enrichment – 2:30 p.m. (Children's programming)  REGISTER  

Virtual Reading Buddies – 3 p.m.  (Children's programming)  Register

Engage 2020: School Age Stories – 3 p.m. (Children's programming)  REGISTER

Thursday 6/11

Family Storytime – 9:30 a.m. (Children's programming)  LEARN MORE

Write Like You Mean It – 10 a.m. (Adult programming)  Register

Aprendiendo Juntos en Casa – 10 a.m. (information to be emailed to prior participants)

Cuentos Virtuales en Español - 10:30 a.m. (Children's programming)  Learn more

Book a Librarian - Business Research – 11 a.m. (Adult programming)  REGISTER

One-on-One Tutoring and Enrichment - 11 a.m. (Children's programming)  REGISTER

Career Development Intensive Coaching – 12 p.m. (Adult programming)  REGISTER

Virtual Reading Buddies – 1 p.m.  (Children's programming)  Register 

Creating Virtual Resumes with the Job Help Center – 1 p.m. (Adult and Teen programming) REGISTER

Spanish Conversation Club – 1 p.m. (Adult programming)   Register

Active Reading Training for Caregivers of 2-5 year olds – 2 p.m. (Adult programming)   Register

Virtual Reading Buddies – 2 p.m.  (Children's programming)  Register

Book a Librarian - Technology – 2 p.m.   REGISTER

One-on-One Tutoring and Enrichment – 2:30 p.m. (Children's programming)  REGISTER 

Virtual Reading Buddies – 3 p.m.  (Children's programming)  Register

Elevator Pitch (Virtual) - 3 p.m. (Adult programming)  Register

Book Talk: Children's - 3 p.m. (Children's programming)  Register

Spanish Conversation Club – 6 p.m. (Adult programming)  Register

English Conversation Club - 7 p.m. (Adult programming)  Register

Friday 6/12

Family Storytime – 9:30 a.m. (Children's programming)  LEARN MORE

Nonprofit Services Coffee & Conversation – 10 a.m. (Adult programming)  Register

Baby Storytime – 10:30 a.m. (Children's programming)  Learn more

Book a Librarian - Business Research – 11 a.m. (Adult programming)  REGISTER

One-on-One Tutoring and Enrichment – 11 a.m. (Children's programming)  REGISTER 

Virtual Reading Buddies – 1 p.m.  (Children's programming)  Register  

Virtual Reading Buddies – 2 p.m.  (Children's programming)  Register

Book a Librarian - Technology – 2 p.m.  REGISTER

One-on-One Tutoring and Enrichment – 2:30 p.m. (Children's programming)  REGISTER  

Virtual Reading Buddies – 3 p.m.  (Children's programming)  Register 

Saturday 6/13

Family Storytime – 9:30 a.m.  (Children's programming)  LEARN MORE

Learning Circle: The Science of Wellbeing – 9:30 a.m.  (Adult programming) REGISTER

Virtual Reading Buddies – 10 a.m.  (Children's programming)  Register  

Virtual Reading Buddies – 11 a.m.  (Children's programming)  Register

With the vast number of careers available, it can be hard for teens to decide on a career path, let alone know which careers best suit them. Charlotte Mecklenburg Library’s College & Career Connections team has put together a podcast series interviewing a wide variety of professionals in the workforce. Most of the interviews are with professionals working in Charlotte, and each person gives an account of what steps led them to their career and offers advice for anyone interested in pursuing that path. 

Some of the interviews include: 

Dekina, Shelter Community Manager with Charlotte Family Housing - Dekina gives an account of managing the shelter phase of the Charlotte Family Housing program. She discusses the how rewarding her job is when she can change a person’s circumstance “with a simple act or simple words of encouragement.” The changes she can see in other people’s lives is the most meaningful aspect of her job. 

Michael, a College Counselor at Central Piedmont - Michael talks about counseling and advising students at CPCC. He works one-on-one with students doing academic coaching as well as mental health counseling. He discusses the need to remain organized every time he meets with a student. Writing is very important for his career as well as self-reflection. 

Isaiah, a Travel Nurse - Isaiah discusses what it is like to be a travel nurse in North Carolina and outside the state. He works as a nurse with short contracts with different hospitals depending on which area he would like to go to. His job is very rewarding with the connection he makes with his patients. He also gives some advice for everyone to keep them healthy during the COVID-19 outbreak. 

Tyler, a Cash Management Accountant - Tyler works for a hospital chain in Charlotte as a Cash Management Accountant. He likes the structure that comes with this type of position, and his career requires a lot of detail-oriented work. He discusses how he started out as a Pharmacy Major in college and then discovered a passion for accounting, while taking accounting courses. He wants to debunk the myth the Accountants are boring; he shares how much fun he and his coworkers have. 

Amrita, an Outreach Coordinator for Charlotte Mecklenburg Library - Amrita has a unique position in the Library system. Within the Outreach department, she spends her time mostly in the community providing Library services and programming. She works with a wide variety of people and age ranges. Her day could be doing a “storytime for kids or book clubs and reading groups for school age children” as well as "sensory programming for adults, teaching technology programs, providing discussion groups for adults who are unable to read and write”. She says her job is a “really worthy challenge” which she and her coworkers gets excited by. 

For the rest of the Career Exploration Spotlights, please visit our Teen Services Digital Branch. 

For more information about future planning for teens, please visit our College and Career Connections website. 

Welcome to Week Two of Summer Break: At Home! We hope that your summer is off to a great start and you are recording all the time you have spent reading and learning. New this year is a two-part summer challenge - Summer Break: At Home (June 1-30) and Summer Break: Reading Takes You Everywhere (July 1 – August 8).  

Looking for Reading Suggestions?  

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tGeKF54WowENJ7BgeZpw5g8aE+zCcfXWPUE2Ie3qBoH2mXIHHk3WoheXE7cKI2N5O9tV5RxLBG5ZxVv/hO58M++gk8pjEKHTp/2OKFeGF5FMLqM5AvXFPATfJMXhsYdn0k0TVNGC0PjihaGxhUtDI0rWhgaV7QwNK5oYWhcAPg/Bks/P8S5fh0AAAAASUVORK5CYII=" style="border:none;vertical-align:baseline;width:134px;height:99px;" unselectable="on">We all know that reading is important, but did you know that children and teens who do not read over the summer may experience 2-3 months of learning loss by the time school starts back in the fall? This summer that will be felt more than ever as most children have not been in a school learning environment since March. Reading is just as important for adults as it keeps adult brains flexible and nimble. Plus, adults who read serve as great role models for kids. That is why the Library recommends 20 minutes of reading per day for everyone – of all ages – all summer long. 

We know it can be hard to come up with a great list of books to read, so library staff are here to help! We have created new lists for summer 2020 for kids, teens and adults so you can keep your brains active. These recommended reading lists can be found on our website at summerbreak.cmlibrary.org. (After you register for an account or Sign In, select “Recommendations” in the menu on the top left.) This summer you can also sign-up to receive book recommendations though our Summer Break site. Keep reading and remember to record your time on your Summer Break account. 

CMLibrary Suggests: Happy Birthday Storytime for Toddlers or Preschoolers 

Cornelius Branch Library celebrates 90 years in the town of Cornelius and 20 years in our current building! These birthday stories and songs are perfect for toddlers or preschoolers. 

CMLibrary Suggests: Graphic Novels for Raina Telgemeier Fans

If you loved Smile, Sisters, Guts, Drama or Ghost by Raina Telgemeier, you will also likely enjoy these other graphic novels! Great for grades 3rd-6th. 

CMLibrary Suggests: Books for Boys (8-11) 

Have you read all the DOG MAN books and need something that'll tickle that same funny bone? Check out some of these digital resources. 

Exciting Programs 

Exciting Programs - This summer the library is hosting some wonderful virtual programs this summer as well. Check out the available programming on the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library calendar.

Are you having problems with the Summer Break 2020 website or your account? Do you have questions about the program? Do you have a wonderful story about the library and Summer Break? Feel free to chat with us online, call your local branch or email us at [email protected] for help or feedback.   

The 2020 Summer Break program is brought to you by Charlotte Mecklenburg Library with additional support from Wendy’s and the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Foundation.   

This summer, as part of Engage 2020 programming, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library will introduce a Summer Series in which historians, professors, activists, and community members will provide thought-provoking virtual presentations online through our website and social media channels.

Engage 2020 seeks to bring diverse audiences together through facilitated conversations around important civic issues.  Historian Brenda Tindal will be our first presenter on Monday, June 15 at 7 p.m.  Please join us for her presentation, Sister Soul-diers: African American Women and the Long Civil/Human Rights Struggles, in which Tindal discusses African American women and their long civil and human rights struggles—with a focus on elevating the experiences and voices of the African American women whose activism and advocacy shaped national social justice discourses from the 19^th through the 21^st centuries.

Brenda Tindal is an awarding-winning educator, scholar, and museum practitioner.  She currently serves as director of education and engagement at the International African American Museum in Charleston, SC.  Her previous positions include director of education at the Detroit Historical Society, and staff historian and senior vice president of research and collections at the Levine Museum of the New South here in Charlotte, where she was the first woman and African American to serve in these roles.

Tindal’s presentation will be streamed live on the Library’s Facebook page and will be available afterward for viewing.  We hope you will join the conversation. See event details here.

Did you know that you can continue to stay connected to the Library while staying home? How would you like to participate in a virtual storytime with your family or receive resume help all from the comfort of your couch? Join Charlotte Mecklenburg Library every week for a wide range of virtual programming for children, teens and adults. See a complete listing of this upcoming programming for the week of 6/15/2020 below. Click the corresponding links for more information and register for programs where applicable.

Learn more about online programming by clicking here

Monday 6/15

Virtual Reading Buddies – 9 a.m.  (Children's programming)  Register

Family Storytime – 9:30 a.m. (Children's programming)  REGISTER

Online Listen and Move Storytime – 10:30 a.m. (Children's programming)  Learn More

Virtual Reading Buddies – 10 a.m.  (Children's programming)   Register

French for Beginners – 11 a.m. (Adult programming)  Register

Virtual Reading Buddies – 11 a.m.  (Children's programming)  Register 

One-on-One Tutoring and Enrichment – 11 a.m. (Children’s programming)  register

Mindful Mondays – 12 p.m. (Adult programming)  register

Virtual Reading Buddies – 1 p.m.  (Children's programming)  Register

Virtual Reading Buddies – 2 p.m.  (Children's programming)   Register

Book a Librarian – Technology – 2 p.m. (Adult programming)  register

One-on-One Tutoring and Enrichment - 2:30 p.m. (Children's programming)  register

Virtual Reading Buddies – 3 p.m.  (Children's programming)  Register 

Traditional Storytelling – 3 p.m. (Children’s programming)  learn more

Tuesday 6/16              

Virtual Reading Buddies – 9 a.m.  (Children's programming)  Register 

Family Storytime – 9:30 a.m. (Children's programming)  REGISTER

Virtual Reading Buddies – 10 a.m.  (Children's programming)  Register 

Cuentos Virtuales en Español - 10:30 a.m. (Children's programming)  register

Book a Librarian - Business Research – 11 a.m. (Adult programming)   register

One-on-One Tutoring and Enrichment - 11 a.m. (Children's programming)  register

Engage 2020: Learning Circles: Women Have Always Worked (Part 2) – 11 a.m.  (Adult programming)  register

Career Development Intensive Coaching – 12 p.m. (Adult programming)   register

Virtual Reading Buddies – 1 p.m.  (Children's programming)  Register 

Creating Virtual Resumes with the Job Help Center – 1 p.m. (Teen and Adult programming)  register

Virtual Reading Buddies – 2 p.m.  (Children's programming)   Register

Active Reading Training for Caregivers of 2-5 Year Olds  – 2 p.m.  (Adult programming)  register

Book a Librarian - Technology – 2 p.m.   register

Story Explorers Enrichment – 2 p.m.   (Children's programming)  register

One-on-One Tutoring and Enrichment - 2:30 p.m. (Children's programming)  register

Anime Club – 3 p.m.  (Teen programming)  register

Traditional Storytelling – 3 p.m. (Children’s programming)  learn more

Virtual Reading Buddies – 3 p.m.  (Children's programming)  Register 

Spanish Conversation Club – 5 p.m. (Adult programming)   register

Wednesday 6/17

Virtual Reading Buddies – 9 a.m.  (Children's programming)  Register 

Family Storytime – 9:30 a.m.  (Children's programming)  REGISTER

Bridging the Social Distance: A Community Conversation – 10 a.m. (Adult programming)  register

Virtual Reading Buddies – 10 a.m.  (Children's programming)  Register 

Online Listen and Move Storytime – 10:30 a.m. (Children's programming)  Learn More

Virtual Reading Buddies – 11 a.m.  (Children's programming)  Register 

One-on-One Tutoring and Enrichment - 11 a.m. (Children's programming)  register

Learning Circle: Getting Started with Microsoft Excel - 1 p.m.  (Adult programming)  register

Virtual Reading Buddies – 1 p.m.  (Children's programming)  Register 

Virtual Reading Buddies – 2 p.m.  (Children's programming)   Register

Book a Librarian - Technology – 2 p.m.   register

One-on-One Tutoring and Enrichment – 2:30 p.m. (Children's programming)  register  

Virtual Reading Buddies – 3 p.m.  (Children's programming)   Register  

Engage 2020: School Age Stories – 3 p.m. (Children's programming)  learn more

Teens LIVE: Career Conversations – 4 p.m. (Teen programming)  Learn more

Charlemos Charlotte: Spanish-English Language Exchange – 6:30 p.m. (Adult programming)  register

Thursday 6/18

Virtual Reading Buddies – 9 a.m.  (Children's programming)   Register

Family Storytime – 9:30 a.m. (Children's programming)  REGISTER

Write Like You Mean It – 10 a.m. (Adult programming)  register

Virtual Reading Buddies – 10 a.m.  (Children's programming)   Register   

Cuentos Virtuales en Español - 10:30 a.m. (Children's programming)   register

Book a Librarian - Business Research – 11 a.m. (Adult programming)  register

Virtual Reading Buddies – 11 a.m.  (Children's programming)   Register 

One-on-One Tutoring and Enrichment - 11 a.m. (Children's programming)  register

Career Development Intensive Coaching – 12 p.m. (Adult programming)  register

Virtual Reading Buddies – 1 p.m.  (Children's programming)   Register

Creating Virtual Resumes with the Job Help Center – 1 p.m. (Adult and Teen programming)  register  

Spanish Conversation Club – 1 p.m. (Adult programming)  register

Virtual Reading Buddies – 2 p.m.  (Children's programming)   Register

Book a Librarian - Technology – 2 p.m.   register

One-on-One Tutoring and Enrichment – 2:30 p.m. (Children's programming)  register 

Virtual Reading Buddies – 3 p.m.  (Children's programming)  Register 

Book Talk: Children's - 3 p.m. (Children's programming)  learn more

Teens LIVE: How to Make Candy Sushi – 6 p.m. (Teen programming)  learn more

Spanish Conversation Club – 6 p.m. (Adult programming)  register  

English Conversation Club - 7 p.m. (Adult programming)  register

Friday 6/19

Virtual Reading Buddies – 9 a.m.  (Children's programming)   Register

Family Storytime – 9:30 a.m. (Children's programming)   REGISTER

Virtual Reading Buddies – 10 a.m.  (Children's programming)   Register

Baby Storytime – 10:30 a.m. (Children's programming)  learn more

Virtual Reading Buddies – 11 a.m.  (Children's programming)   Register

One-on-One Tutoring and Enrichment – 11 a.m. (Children's programming)  register  

Engage 2020: Juneteenth Lunch and Learn (Virtual) – 12 p.m. (Adult/Teen programming)   register

Virtual Reading Buddies – 1 p.m.  (Children's programming)  Register 

Virtual Reading Buddies – 2 p.m.  (Children's programming)  Register 

One-on-One Tutoring and Enrichment – 2:30 p.m. (Children's programming)  register

Virtual Reading Buddies – 3 p.m.  (Children's programming)   Register

Writers Conversation Hour – 7 p.m.  (Adult programming)  register

Saturday 6/20

Family Storytime – 9:30 a.m.  (Children's programming)   REGISTER

Learning Circle: The Science of Wellbeing – 9:30 a.m.  (Adult programming)  register

Virtual Reading Buddies – 10 a.m.  (Children's programming)   Register

Virtual Reading Buddies – 11 a.m.  (Children's programming)   Register

As a native Virginian I quickly learned that barbecue (BBQ) is the root of disagreement in the Carolinas. There are endless "rights and wrongs” to BBQ preparation, sauce, how the meat is smoked, what side dishes to serve... the list goes on. 

It’s a fascinating discussion that all Carolinians should contribute to. Keep reading to learn more about all things carolina BBQ.

How did BBQ find its way to the Carolinas?

BBQ was “discovered” in North Carolina in the late 16th century by Sir Walter Raleigh. In 1585, Raleigh sent men to the coast of present-day North Carolina. While there, John White sketched Croatan Indians “broyling their fishe over the flame—they took great heed that they bee not burnt”. What White witnessed was the Croatans using a “barbacoa”, a framework of sticks that supported meat over a fire. Barbacoas were used by the Spanish in the Caribbean after they saw locals using the contraption to smoke their meat.

Photo courtesy of Holy Smoke: The Big Book of North Carolina Barbecue

 

Historians believe that German settlers who traveled via Great Wagon Road during the mid-to-late 18th century from Pennsylvania influenced the style of barbecue in the North Carolina Piedmont region. Catawba College history professor, Gary Freeze, developed this theory on the basis that Pennsylvania Germans barbecued the shoulder of the pig and braised it in a fruit-flavored liquid similar to the Lexington style North Carolinians pride themselves on today. Freeze further argues that early prominent barbecue-ers had German names (e.g., Weaver, Ridenhour, Swicegood) and that some of the Piedmont’s earliest barbecuing occurred in German cotton-mill villages.

 

North Carolina: Home to the “Original” BBQ Recipe

 

According to Holy Smoke: The Big Book of North Carolina Barbecue, BBQ in North Carolina must meet these three qualifications:

1. The meat must be barbecued, meaning cooked at a low temperature for a long time with heat and smoke flavoring the meat from a fire of hardwood and/or hardwood coals.

2. The meat must be pork (whole hog, shoulder, or occasionally ham).

3. The meat is always served with a thin vinegar-based sauce.

Photo courtesy of Chairgatin

 

There are two main styles of BBQ in North Carolina—Eastern and Lexington (“Piedmont”). Eastern-style BBQ uses the whole-hog (“every part of the hog but the squeal”) with a lemon juice or vinegar, pepper-based sauce. Eastern style incorporates zero tomatoes in its recipe. Food critics are careful to say it is the “truest” form of BBQ, but many refer to Eastern-style as the “original” recipe [Our State article].  

Piedmont-style became popular in the World War I era and uses meat from the pork shoulder with a vinegar, ketchup and spice-based sauce. Five men of German descent are credited with the adaptation of the Eastern-style recipe. 

Sauce is another point of contention in North Carolina. The ingredients for the standard North Carolina BBQ sauce vary from family to family, but the “official” recipe is along the lines of this description found in Martha McCulloch-Williams' recollections:

“Two pounds of sweet lard, melted in a brass kettle, with one pound beaten, 

not ground, pepper a pint of small fiery red peppers, nubbed and stewed soft 

in water to barely cover, a spoonful of herbs in powder- he would never tell 

what they were [of course!],  -- and a quart and pint of the strongest apple 

vinegar, with a little salt.” -Holy Smoke: The Big Book of North Carolina Barbecue

 

South Carolina: Home to the Four Sauces 

South Carolina also believes that barbecue was “founded” in the Palmetto State, so  we will never truly know which Carolina barbecue calls home. We do know that South Carolina features all four sauces throughout the state, a trait they pride themselves on. 

Photo courtesy of Discover South Carolina

1) Mustard: Found throughout the midland part of the state toward the lower coastline. Distinct tasting sauce traced back to German settlers.

2) Heavy Tomato: Found in the western and northwestern part of the state. Popularly known and sold in grocery stores (Kraft, Sweet Baby Rays, etc.) 

3) Light Tomato: Found in the Pee Dee and upper part of the state. A light mix of the vinegar/pepper sauce with ketchup or tomato added. 

4) Vinegar + Pepper: Found along the coast. Spicy vinegar and pepper sauce.

Photo courtesy of Charleston City Paper. 

So, what’s up with the tomatoes, and why is there so much controversy around adding them to BBQ sauce? South Carolina farmers began growing “love apples” in the 18th century and food historians believe that German settlers began to add ketchup to the Eastern-style BBQ. The addition of the sugary ketchup made the BBQ recipes closer to the sweet-sour taste that is common in German cooking.  

The only thing both Carolinas agree on? The meat must be smoked. 

“You can put barbecue sauce on it and call it barbecue. You can 

cook it in a Crock-Pot and put sauce on it and call it barbecue. But

 it’s not. Now, I get chastised on that all the time—about being 

old-school and a purist and all that. All I’m saying is, there’s a totally 

different flavor when you’ve got the fat of that meat dripping onto 

live coals. The smoke it creates to season that pig—that makes 

the difference.” -Jim Early, Charlotte Magazine 

We know that Carolinians eat BBQ, but how do we celebrate the dish?  

Photo courtesy of Lexington Barbecue Festival, 2019. 

The Carolinas celebrate BBQ big time. Lexington, North Carolina throws a huge BBQ Festival every October. Lexington felt so strongly about hosting the official BBQ festival that they even submitted a House Bill to the General Assembly in 2005. Two days later, the bill was approved and the Lexington Barbecue Festival was adopted as the state’s official BBQ festival. South Carolina also celebrates BBQ with a variety of festivals.  



If you want to decide if North Carolina or South Carolina BBQ is supreme, take a long drive along the Historic BBQ trails. You can always use the Carolina Room’s cookbooks to find mouthwatering BBQ recipes to try at home, too! 

This blog was written by Sydney Carroll, archivist in the Robinson-Spangler Carolina Room at Main Library.

--

References 

Garner, Bob. “Bob Garner’s Book of Barbecue: North Carolina’s Favorite Food.” Winston-Salem, NC: John F. Blair, 2012. 

Garner, Bob. “North Carolina Barbecue: Flavored by time.” Winston-Salem, NC: John F. Blair, 1996. 

Lacour, Greg. “What’s Our Barbecue Story?” Charlotte Magazine. June 2019. Accessed August 2019. http://www.charlottemagazine.com/Charlotte-Magazine/June-2019/Our-Barbecue-Story/  

Quine, Katie. “Why Are There Two Styles of NC Barbecue?” Our State. May 2015. Accessed August 2019. https://www.ourstate.com/nc-barbecue-styles/ 

Reed, John Shelton. “Holy Smoke: The Big Book of North Carolina Barbecue.” The University of North Carolina Press, 2008.  



"South Carolina Barbecue.” Discover South Carolina. https://discoversouthcarolina.com/barbecue

The Census: What is it?

The U.S. Constitution empowers the Congress to carry out the census (Article I, Section 2). The Founders of our fledgling nation had a bold and ambitious plan to empower the people over their new government. The plan was to count every person living in the newly created United States of America, and to use that count to determine representation in the Congress.

https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census/2020-census/about/what-is.html

Why does the United States Government depend on an accurate Census? Why is that important to You and Your Community?

Federal funds, grants and support to states, counties and communities are based on population totals and breakdowns by sex, age, race and other factors. Your community benefits the most when the census counts everyone. When you respond to the census, you help your community gets its fair share of the more than $675 billion per year in federal funds spent on schools, hospitals, roads, public works and other vital programs.

Businesses use census data to decide where to build factories, offices and stores, and this creates jobs. Developers use the census to build new homes and revitalize old neighborhoods. Local governments use the census for public safety and emergency preparedness. Residents use the census to support community initiatives involving legislation, quality-of-life and consumer advocacy.

https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census/2020-census/about/why.html

What is the state of North Carolina doing to plan for Census 2020?

Several organizations within North Carolina are providing educational resources and other assistance to encourage every person in North Carolina to be counted.

https://census.nc.gov/

https://www.nccensus.org/

What efforts are being made in Mecklenburg County to make sure every one of us is counted?

Mecklenburg County has several Complete Count Committees which work with local stakeholders and media to educate the public about Census 2020, encourage participation, and facilitate survey access, particularly among traditionally hard-to-count populations.

MeckCounts2020.com

Jobs are available through the United States Census Bureau. Apply Now!

https://www.mecknc.gov/CountyManagersOffice/MeckCounts2020/Pages/Census-Jobs.aspx

Title: Your next (or first) novel starts here

Getting into the independent publishing or self-publishing world can be intimidating. Some writers struggle with the internal conflict of loving their work but questioning its validity. With a growing indie author community and increased demand for books from indie publishers, libraries continue to look for ways to work with authors to provide resources and services for aspiring authors.

No matter where you are in your writing journey, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library has programs, resources and services available to help you along the way.

Celebrate Indie Author Day at the Brooklyn Collective

Join Charlotte Mecklenburg Library as we celebrate Indie Author Day, when libraries and organizations around the world welcome local indie authors, writers and their communities in for a day of education, networking, writing, open mics, panels and much more.

Indie Author Day combines the best of libraries: books and people. This FREE Library program will take place Saturday, October 12 from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. The location, and a brief itinerary, are as follows:

Location

Brooklyn Collective

229 S Brevard St, Charlotte, NC 28202

Schedule

10 a.m. | Coffee + Networking

11 a.m. | Keynote Address by Mark Peres

11:15 a.m. | Writing/Publishing Panel

12 p.m. | Snacks + Networking

Writing/Publishing  PANEL

Marisa Wesley | Cover Art, Cover Me Darling

Marisa has worked with everyone from New York Times & USA Today Bestselling Authors, to first time Indie Authors. She has won multiple awards for her Book Cover Design work.

Debra Funderburk | Publisher and Agent

Debra Funderburk is an author, publisher and an author’s business coach. She also spearheads a local writer’s group. With an extensive background in sales, accounting and business development, those skills allow her to think outside the box and create a platform for an author’s success.

Dawn Michelle Hardy |Agent and Publicist, Dream Relations PR & Literary Consulting

Dawn Michelle Hardy, President of Dream Relations, PR & Literary Consulting Agency has been described as a ““literary lobbyist” by Ebony magazine for her ability to help authors reach their readership using strategic and creative promotions, award recognition, along with national and local media attention.

Local Writing Organizations available for networking:

Charlotte Lit: Charlotte Lit is a nonprofit arts center dedicated to elevating and celebrating the literary arts in our community.  https://www.charlottelit.org/

Sistories: We seek to amplify the narratives of Charlotte’s Black women and femmes by publishing their work both digitally and in print.  https://www.sistories.org/

Charlotte Writer’s Club: Charlotte Writers’ Club supports the work of writers and promotes their development through education, recognition, and community in celebration of the written word. https://charlottewritersclub.org/home

Planning to join us at the Brooklyn Collective for Indie Author Day festivities? Register here.

Join a writing group

Many library locations have regular writing groups that are open to new members. Some involve writing as a group around a topic or prompt, and some are critique-style groups where writing is submitted ahead of time.

One group, Write Like You Mean It, meets at Main Library every Thursday from 10-11:30 a.m. This group explores different styles of writing in a fun and comfortable environment, and is open to anyone who is ready to write. Both beginners and experienced writers are welcome.  Join Write Like You Mean It, or find a writing group at the following library locations:

• Beatties Ford Road Regional Library 
• Independence Regional Library 
• Main Library 
• Matthews Library 
• Mint Hill Library 
• Morrison Regional Library 
• Mountain Island Library 
• South County Regional Library
• Steele Creek Library

Click here to find the Library’s full CALENDAR OF EVENTS 

Check out a book or two

Take home some writing inspiration with these books and magazines available in the Library’s catalog:

BOOKS

Writing Alone and With Others by Pat Schneider

Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg 

The Right to Write by Julia Cameron 

Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott 

Spinning Words into Gold by Maureen Ryan Griffin 

Zen in the Art of Writing by Ray Bradbury 

On Writing by Stephen King

MAGAZINES

Poets & Writers

Writer’s Digest 

LIBRARY CATALOG 

Take courses online (for free) with your library card

The Library offers many online courses you can take that focus on creative writing. Find these and many other resources on cmlibrary.org/resources.

Lynda.com

Writing- The Craft of Story

The Foundations of Fiction

Ninja Writing-The Four Levels of Mastery

Universal Class

Creative Writing

Novel Writing

Memoir & Poetry

Got a library card?

If not, get started with the application now. Your next novel starts here!

It’s no secret children love the Library. From their first Storytime experience to attending puppet shows, participating in science demonstrations or meeting their favorite book illustrator, these are highlights they’re eager to share with friends and family. Perhaps what most excites children these days is taking an armful of books to the self-checkout stand, placing the stack on the mat and watching as the books automatically register with their RFID tags into their library card account.

Then what happens is children’s use of the library changes. It evolves to checking out chapter books, then young adult books, to using tutoring or study programs and then, eventually, to finding a quiet space to cram for finals or write a term paper.

As children grow into adults, it’s a common trend that Library use diminishes. College, career and maybe even that need to explore something outside the familiar takes over. However, everything comes full circle when adults start a family and return to the Library with their children to attend storytimes, checkout picture books and maybe even find respite in a quiet corner while their children are pre-occupied.

This is almost the same pattern Ailen Arreaza found herself following. A Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Board of Trustee member, Ailen emigrated from Cuba with her family when she was a child. When they settled in Charlotte, the Library was the first welcoming place she found. Ailen immediately loved the Library and spent most of her time at the University City Regional Library. Not only was it a safe space, it also provided her a place where she could feel independent, explore new worlds through her love of reading and also spend time with her younger brother.

Now married with children, Ailen wants her children, ten-year-old Lucas and seven-year-old Paulo, to have the same experiences she did. She wants them to discover all there is to explore, learn and do at the Library.

“We’ve spent a lot of time at ImaginOn when my boys were younger,” Ailen says. “The exhibits, programs and toys kept us entertained. Now that they’re older, our use has changed and their love for the Library has moved from storytimes and expanded into reading.” The family calls the Sugar Creek Library their home branch.

This past summer, Ailen’s family took an extended vacation overseas. Before departing, her sons loaded up their electronic devices with e-books. “Lucas puts in his own requests for items on hold and downloaded his books by himself. He has a ONE Access card through Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and knows his ID number by heart. This allowed him to access more materials and the digital resources remotely while we were outside the States,” says Ailen. (ONE Access™ is a program that provides students the ability to check out books to take home for schoolwork and to read for pleasure using their student ID as their Library card number. All CMS students are automatically enrolled in this program and additional charter schools and colleges also participate. See cmlibrary.org/oneaccess for more information).

Ailen’s children aren’t the only ones thankful for their Library card. Aileen’s husband, Tony, learned that by having a Library card he could rent a hotspot for a nominal fee to use for his business, Carlotan Talents. In 2018, he signed up for his first Library card. Using the hotspot allowed him to support his business activities with online financial transactions at remote locations. “I didn’t even know the Library offered this resource, so this was a great discovery. And it seems like every day we find out more and more of what the Library offers. I’m so amazed by it all,” says Ailen.

Ailen is not nearly finished exploring the Library, though. She has a list of what she wants to do next:

1. Visit the IdeaBox, the Makerspace at Main Library with its 3-D printer
2. Explore teen opportunities, especially since Lucas is only a few years away from this age group
3. Research Charlotte’s history in the Robinson-Spangler Carolina Room at Main Library
4. Attend a program hosted by Dr. Tom Hanchett, the Library’s first Historian-in-Residence

Even though she already commits up to 12 hours a month serving on the Library’s governing board, Ailen is a staunch advocate whenever she can be. Recently she took a family, that emigrated from Venezuela, to the Library where she knew there would be a large collection of books in Spanish they could use. Additionally, she’s going to tell them about the Mango Languages resource – a free language-learning software with over 70 world language courses and over 17 ESL/ELL courses. Mango is user-friendly and features an engaging user interface, voice comparison, fresh design, foreign language films and cultural anecdotes.

“The Library is truly a great equalizer,” says Ailen. “This is the connecting place where the community can come together. Everyone should have a Library card and discover all the possibilities.”

Ailen Arreaza is the North Carolina Program Director for ParentsTogether, a national nonprofit that provides resources and community to help all kids and families thrive. Before joining the ParentsTogether team, she spent nearly a decade working on issues of equity and access for the City of Charlotte. In that role, she investigated allegations of housing discrimination and led city-wide campaigns to educate Charlotteans, particularly Latino immigrants, about their fair housing rights. Ailen regularly writes about issues related to social justice. She is originally from Cuba and a graduate of The George Washington University. She lives in NoDa with her husband and two rambunctious sons.

Don't have a Library card? It's as easy as 1-2-3! Click here to get carded!