Looking for some great movies your kids can watch now that school is out for the summer? Look no further.

Hoopla  has a great selection of movies for kids. Here are the top five that have been streaming on Hoopla. All you need to join in the fun is your Charlotte Mecklenburg Library card or One Access ID!

Learn more about hoopla and checkout limits here.  Need a Library card?  Sign up here.

The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog (2010) - The popular children’s book is turned into a short movie. When Pigeon finds a delicious hot dog, he can't wait to devour it. But then along comes a sly duckling who wants a bite. Who will be the more clever bird? Run time: 7 minutes

Dragons Love Tacos 2: The Sequel (2002) - News alert! It has just been discovered that there are NO MORE TACOS left anywhere in the world. This is a huge problem because, as you know, dragons love tacos. If only there was a way for the dragons to travel back in time to before tacos went extinct. Then they could grab lots of tacos and bring them back! It's the perfect plan, as long as there's no spicy salsa. You remember what happened last time... The award-winning creators of Robo-Sauce and Secret Pizza Party return with a gut-bustingly hilarious companion to the bestselling phenomenon Dragons Love Tacos. Run time: 10 minutes

My Little Pony Equestria Girls (2013) - When her crown is stolen from the Crystal Empire, Twilight Sparkle pursues the thief, Sunset Shimmer, into an alternate world where she finds herself turned into…a teenage girl! To regain her crown and return to Equestria, Twilight must learn how to fit into this strange new world and defeat Sunset Shimmer in a competition to become crowned Princess of the Fall Formal at Canterlot High. Luckily, she'll have the assistance of Spike and five teenage girls who remind her of a certain group of ponies back home. Run time: 1 hour and 12 minutes

Don’t Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late (2011) - It's getting dark out, but one stubborn Pigeon is NOT going to bed! Children will love this interactive bedtime romp, which puts readers back in the driver's seat, deflecting Pigeon's sly trickery as he tries to escape his inevitable bedtime. Will you let him stay up late? Run time: 7 minutes

Elmo’s Potty Time  (2010) -  Potty training can be fun! Create a positive potty time experience for your child with Elmo and his Sesame Street friends with Elmo's Potty Time! This amusing and song-filled story teaches children that everyone has to learn how to use the potty. Your child will learn that accidents are okay and that it takes time and practice before he can use the potty on his own. So dance, sing, and laugh as your child learns confidence-building skills and helpful healthy habits that will last a lifetime! Run time 44minutes.

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This blog was written by Serena Guest of Charlotte Mecklenburg Library.

For those who know they can’t be a true “legal eagle” but want assistance, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library has a new database to help. LegalForms (Gale) is a powerful collection of legal forms that have been used in law practices and permit users to edit the forms as needed. You are a computer search away from help with common legal actions and detailed documents.

Official North Carolina forms are available on LegalForms as well as an Attorney Directory. What types of legal forms are offered? The database’s forms include real estate contracts, bankruptcy, premarital agreements, divorce, power of attorney, wills, landlord tenant and more. Ever user-friendly, LegalForms searches can be as basic as keyword searches, subject, legal form, or you can browse the catalog. Accurate, authentic legal forms can be created with reasonable ease using LegalForms. Many forms are available in Adobe and Microsoft Word formats so that you only need to fill in the entries. Documents may be downloaded, saved, or printed. 

Sample letters are offered and range from topics like requesting the credit report of a minor to asking to have your name removed from a mail marketing list. Legal definitions and a legal encyclopedia, “Law Digest”, are provided for help in understanding legal terms. Also included in LegalForms are links to federal and state tax forms. Lastly, placed to the left is a “Legal Q & A“ button which features questions and answers for particular subjects. Search help and FAQs can be found at the top right of the page.

Library customers have access to vital law resources and adjustable legal forms by accessing LegalForms on the cmlibrary.org website or a mobile device. 

Users should consult an attorney in their state for serious legal matters.

Did you know that teens and adults can join in on Summer Break too? Summer is such a great time to read all the books you’ve wanted to read - no assigned books here! 

This summer explore the world around you through books, resources and online programs. New opportunities for learning are everywhere. The Library is here to help you find inspiration to try something new. 

When you register for Summer Break, you will find activities to complete to earn virtual badges.  In addition to Reading, some of our activity ideas include: 

Create:  

• Cook something using a new recipe (teens and adults) 

• Create your own graphic novel (teens) 

• Organize a space in your house or room (adults) 

Write: 

• Create a book list using BiblioCommons, the Library’s online catalog (teens and adults) 

• Write your family tree with the Library version of Ancestry.com (teens) 

• Send a card to a friend or family member (adults) 

Play: 

• Play a board game (teens and adults) 

• Try to get out of one of the digital escape rooms (teens) 

• Play a sport (adults) 

Explore: 

• Find a book recommendation from a library booklist (teens and adults) 

• Plan your future by using the Library’s Road Map to Success (teens) 

• Watch a documentary with your library card from PBS Video (adults) 

Give: 

• Donate to a nonprofit (teens and adults) 

• Participate in a virtual volunteering activity for the library (teens) 

• Donate a needed item to a neighbor (adults) 

WOW 5 for 5: 

• Attend a virtual writing workshop with your local library (teens and adults) 

• Find a great new book to read with help from a librarian (teens and adults) 

Programs for Teens  

Though our Summer Break 2020 program can be completed entirely online, our libraries are hosting some exciting virtual programs this summer for teens. 

Teens 

Read:  

Choose a book from one of our suggested teen reading lists for Summer Break:  learn more

Explore: 

Learn about different career paths by listening to the Library's Career Exploration Spotlight podcasts:  learn more

Visit the Library's Digital Branch for teen programs:  learn more

Create: 

Create your college planning timeline or explore careers using CFNC:  learn more

Learn a craft or hobby through Universal Class:  learn more

Play:  

Try to get out of one of our digital escape rooms:  learn more

Give: 

Participate in a virtual volunteering activity for the Library:   learn more

Find a great new book to read with help from a librarian and read to someone:   learn more

Write: 

Write your family tree with the Library version of Ancestry.com:   learn more

Write your brag sheet to help you with a job or college admissions interview:   learn more

Adults

Read:  Attend an Adult Book Club 

Explore: Bridging the Social Distance, Mindful Monday, Community Conversation: Setting Your Goals (SUG), Jobseeker Support Group

Play: Participate in an exciting game of Dewey and Dragons – Millennial+ Edition (BFR)

Write: Learn how to improve your writing  with an Adult writing workshop like Sex, Drugs, & Rock & Roll: Writing Gripping Scenes or Adult Fanfiction Writing Group

Teen Activities 

Read:  

Teen Book Clubs – Join us online for teen book discussions, recommended reads, and a place to share your love of reading!

learn more

Explore: 

My Next Step for Teens - Do you need help figuring out your next step to successfully plan for your future? We're here to help connect you with the resources you need to succeed. Appointments are available via Zoom.  We also offer a form to get personalized feedback related to college and career readiness.

Learn more

Create: 

Teens LIVE on Instagram - Library staff go live on Instagram twice a week with maker projects, career conversations, and more! Check ImaginOn’s IGTV for past episodes, and our online calendar for new ones!

STEAM 101 - Join us online to learn and develop new skills with our STEAM 101 programs.  Explore art, kitchen chemistry, or an egg drop challenge through our virtual programs.

learn more

Play:  

Dewey & Dragons – Participate online in the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing board game that encourages cooperation, problem solving, letter and word recognition, and critical thinking skills.

Learn more

Teen Trivia - Calling all trivia fans! Test your knowledge on a variety of topics such as popular and fandom culture and win bragging rights!

Learn more

Give:

Teen Advisory Council – Interested in sharing your ideas, working with peers, and earning community service hours online? Teens will work collaboratively on projects and services that will improve Teen Services within the library in this virtual program. 

learn more

Access the July Teen Online Activities Calendar

Visit our calendar for even more upcoming virtual programs that you can access from home!  Choose “Select tag(s)” on the right to narrow down by age. 

The Summer Break program is wonderful for all ages! We have activities and book suggestions for babies/children, teens and adults.  

Comments? Questions?  

Are you having problems with the Summer Break website or your account? Do you have questions about the program? Feel free to call your local library for assistance or email  [email protected].  

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.