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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 8/10/2020 below. Click the corresponding links for more information and register for programs where applicable.

Learn more about online programming by clicking here

Monday 8/10

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

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

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

Stronger Together: Support for Your Job Search – 4 p.m. (Adult programming)   register

Podcast Discussion Club – 7 p.m. (Adult programming)  register

 

Tuesday 8/11            

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

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

Virtual Reading Buddies – 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

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

Career Development Intensive Coaching – 12:30 p.m. (Adult programming)   register

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

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

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

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

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

Sparking Creativity for Teens – 6 p.m. (Adult programming)   register

Adult Fanfiction Writing Club – 6 p.m. (Adult programming)   register

Engage 2020: Covid 19's Disproportionate Impact on People of Color – 7 p.m. (Adult programming)  register

 

Wednesday 8/12

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

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

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

Bridging the Social Distance – 10 a.m.  (Adult 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

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

Teens LIVE on Instagram: Chocolate No Bake Cookies – 5 p.m. (Teen programming)   learn more

Active Reading Training for Caregivers of K-3 Students – 6 p.m. (Adult programming)  register

 

Thursday 8/13

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

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

Virtual Reading Buddies – 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

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

Career Development Intensive Coaching – 12:30 p.m. (Adult programming)  register

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

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

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

Elevator Pitch – 4 p.m. (Children's programming)  register

Teen Fanfiction Writing Club – 4 p.m. (Teen programming)  register

Teens LIVE on Instagram: Tips for Your 1st Job Interview – 6 p.m. (Teen programming)  learn more

 

Friday 8/14

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

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

Nonprofit Services: Coffee & Conversation – 10 a.m.  (Adult 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

Connect with Yourself - Meditation for Wellness – 12 p.m. (Adult programming)   register

Adulting 101 Series: Where Did the Time Go? Time Management – 12 p.m. (Adult programming)  register

Learning Circle: How to Be an LGBT+ Ally – 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

 

Saturday 8/15

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

Learning Circle: The Science of Well-Being – 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

Library Codelab: Intro to Web Accessibility  – 11 a.m.  (Adult programming)  register

Creative Connections through Letter Writing – 3 p.m.  (Adult programming)  register

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In 1920, the state of Tennessee ratified the 19th Amendment and thereby put women’s right to vote into the United States Constitution as the 19th Amendment. The 100th anniversary of this event takes place this month in an intensely political year. The Library has invited a speaker who can address both these topics, Dr. Marjorie Spruill, to participate in Engage 2020: Summer Series virtual program on Thursday, Aug. 13 at 7 p.m.

Spruill is a Professor of History at the University of South Carolina with a specialty in women’s history and the history of the American South. Her book, "New Women of the New South," talks about the challenges the advocates for women’s right to vote faced in the early 20th century South.

Her most recent book, "Divided We Stand," describes the story of the struggle for the Equal Rights Amendment in the 1970s. Feminists argued for the ERA and conservative women organized to resist it. The ensuing political and cultural battle that lasted all decade and resulted in the defeat of the proposed amendment. The polarization of American politics that arose over this issue remains with us still, Spruill argues.

This program will be streamed live over the Library’s Facebook page. 

For more information on the Engage 2020: Summer Series - A Conversation with Marjorie Spruill, click here.

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WOMEN VOTE! – That was the headline in August of 1920 as the 19th Amendment was ratified, and states could no longer deny the right to vote “on account of sex.” In commemoration of the centennial of this event, the League of Women Voters will present a program on Tuesday, Aug. 18, at 7 p.m.

The program will be hosted by community historian, Dr. Tom Hanchett, and will be streamed live by the Levine Museum of the New South and by its co-sponsor, the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library. Visitors to the Library’s Facebook page may view the proceedings and submit comments and questions via Facebook.

The League of Women Voters has been “encouraging informed and active participation in government” since 1920, when it changed its name from the “Equal Suffrage League,” following victory in the struggle for a women’s suffrage amendment. The seven Charlotteans pictured in this image from 1914 were all members of the Equal Suffrage League. 

In this election year, the Library is partnering with the Digital Public Library of America (DPLA) offering programs like this one to encourage everyone to look back at what has been accomplished in the past and to move forward with empowerment to make a difference in one's own community. To learn more about Engage 2020, click here.

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Get Carded

Are you without a Library card? Or know someone who doesn’t have one? The Charlotte Mecklenburg Library offers millions of resources in books, music, movies, materials, digital programs and virtual programming - all for FREE with a Library card. What are you waiting for?

Even Superheroes know it’s important to have a Library card. September is Library Card Sign-up Month, a time when libraries remind customers, parents, caregivers and students that signing up for a library card is the first step towards academic achievement and lifelong learning. Wonder Woman is here to remind everyone that libraries are wonderful and you shouldn’t wait to get your Library card - now’s the time.

Signing up for a Library card is easy and doesn’t require any superpowers. CLICK HERE to sign up for a Library Card and download the CMLibrary mobile app on your smartphone or tablet to place holds, access resources and much more.

In a world rapidly moving to an online format, access to digital resources  and educational materials is more important than ever before. With limits on in-person gatherings and adjusted work and school schedules, living room sofas, kitchens and bedrooms have transformed into workspaces. But what hasn’t changed is needing information – for education, work, extracurricular interests or just for fun. The Library’s mission is to improve lives and build a stronger community, and we encourage everyone in Mecklenburg County to sign up for a Library card to gain access to books, media and invaluable digital resources. Again, it’s all FREE.

 

FREE Digital Resources

The Library is a tremendous one-stop shop, not just for books but for digital resources and so much more. You can access virtual tutoring and homework help for children through Tutor.com. You can find the resources to support a new (or existing) business venture with Lynda.com. Maybe you want to perfect an existing skill--or learn a new one--with Universal Class. When you have a Charlotte Mecklenburg Library card, you can access a multitude of online resources available to you for FREE.

Maybe you love watching movies and listening to music? Film and music buffs can benefit from a Library card. With the kanopy, OverDrive, hoopla and Freegal apps that are available for FREE with a Library card, you can stream or download films, documentaries and the newest songs.

ACCESS RESOURCES

 

Value Like No Other

Do you know how much a Library card can save you? $100? $300? Even up to $1000! Subscription services can be pricey and tend to add up over the course of a calendar year, not to mention how much you might spend on books, magazines and music. There’s no need to pay for subscription services ever again. See how much you can save with the Library by using the Library Value Calculator. Input the number of books, magazines, DVDs, music and resources you’ve purchased or used in a year and you’ll be amazed at much you could save by switching to the Library. The numbers don’t lie; a Library card is a great value!

 

Virtual Programming from the Library

While our branches are open with limited capacity, the Library is always here to serve the community. Did you know that you can continue to participate in Library programming 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 upcoming programming below.

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO REGISTER FOR PROGRAMS CLICK HERE

 

Sign up Today

Signing up for a Library card is super easy. CLICK HERE to sign up for a Library Card and download the CMLibrary mobile app on your smartphone or tablet to place holds, access resources and much more.

 

 

 

View this easy tutorial on how to sign up for a Library card online.

So, now that you know everything you can do with your Library card, what are you waiting for? Join Charlotte Mecklenburg Library and “get carded” today!

 

 

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This month, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library celebrates the centennial of the 19th Amendment. This amendment to the United States Constitution added the declaration that no state could deny a citizen the right to vote "on account of sex.” Many states already allowed limited voting rights for women by 1920, although North Carolina, along with nine other states, still restricted all elections to men only. (See map.) It took this amendment to make women’s suffrage universal throughout the nation.

 

 

A suffragist map from late 1919 showing the extent of voting rights for women and the progress of ratification of the 19^th Amendment by state legislatures.

 

 

 

 

 

The movement to win the right to vote for women was decades in the making, but it garnered very little public support in North Carolina until 1913 when a state chapter of the Equal Suffrage League opened. A few days prior to the yearly Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence Day parade on May 20 (a day of local patriotism much-celebrated once in Charlotte), local chapter members decided they would participate. They hired a driver with a horse-drawn cart, decorated it, and set out along the parade route.

 

Suzanne Bynum, Anna Forbes Liddell, Catherine McLaughlin, Jane Stillman, Julia McNinch, Bessie Mae Simmonds, and Mary Belle Palmer stand up for women’s suffrage. Charlotte, NC, May 20, 1914.  Courtesy of the Robinson-Spangler Carolina Room, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library.

 

 

“A success? I should say so!” said the male writer of an article for the Charlotte Observer. “The suffragist cause thrives on publicity, and [the float] was one of the features of a crowded day. Thousands who had ignored the subject discussed it that night.” -Victor L. Stephenson, “Story of that Suffrage Float,” The Charlotte Observer, (November 1, 1914).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Article in the Charlotte News, May 21, 1914

 

 

Later that same year, the Charlotte chapter hosted the statewide convention of the Equal Suffrage League in November. The event attracted luminaries from around the state and received special attention from The Charlotte Observer, which published a special edition to cover events at the convention. Attendees planned to lobby hard for women’s suffrage in the state, or, as The Charlotte Observer put it, “lay siege to the next legislature.”

The year 1915 began with high hopes that were quickly dashed. In February, both the State House and Senate of North Carolina declined – by large majorities - to amend the state constitution to allow votes for women. In the next four years, as other states embraced equal suffrage, North Carolina did not join the movement. When the 19^th Amendment was finally adopted by the United States Senate in 1919, both North Carolina Senators voted against it.

The drama then shifted to state legislatures. Thirty-six of the forty-eight states needed to say "yes" for the amendment to be ratified. By August 1920, 35 states had done so. The General Assembly of North Carolina was called into special session to consider it, and local suffragists hoped to claim the honor of putting the amendment over the top for their state. On August 18, however, Tennessee became the 36th state to ratify. The North Carolina House held a vote on the amendment anyway the next day and voted it down in a purely symbolic gesture.

Alas, this expansion of the right to vote did not improve access to the polls for African Americans in North Carolina. State laws that effectively barred African Americans from participating in elections remained in place so that Black women remained as excluded as before ratification. The editor of the Star of Zion, a Black newspaper in Charlotte, pointed to the irony of celebrating a partial expansion of rights that should belong to all. He referred to the 19^th Amendment as the “Susan B. Anthony Amendment,” after the woman who had proposed it in 1875.

“The name of the 19^th Amendment savors of universal freedom. Susan B. Anthony herself was as ardent an abolitionist as she was a suffragist, and her amendment presupposes that all citizens in free America should have the use of the ballot. And if she were living, she would keep up the fight for it.” (Star of Zion, August 26, 1920).

In this election year, the Library is partnering with the Digital Public Library of America (DPLA) offering programs like this one to encourage everyone to look back at past accomplishments and to move forward with empowerment to make a difference in one's own community. To learn more about Engage 2020, click here.

--

This blog was written by Tom Cole of the Robinson-Spangler Carolina Room at Charlotte Mecklenburg Library.

 

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Molloy, Jill. “Timeline of Women’s Suffrage,” NCPedia, published by the North Carolina Government and Heritage Library, accessed July 22, 2020. https://www.ncpedia.org/anchor/timeline-womens-suffrage

 

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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 8/17/2020 below. Click the corresponding links for more information and register for programs where applicable.

Learn more about online programming by clicking here

 

Sunday 8/16

Engage 2020: Community Conversations - Local Voices Matter – 3 p.m.  (Adult programming) register

 

Monday 8/17

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

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

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

Remote Learning 101: Library Resources to Enhance Your Child's Learning – 12 p.m. (Adult 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 8/18            

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

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

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

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

Email Basics – 11 a.m. (Adult 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

Career Development Intensive Coaching – 12:30 p.m. (Adult programming)   register 

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

Nonprofit Services: Intro to Foundation Directory Online – 2 p.m.  (Adult programming)   register

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Wednesday 8/19

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

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

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

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

Teens LIVE on Instagram: DIY Jean Embroidery – 5 p.m. (Teen programming)  learn more

Learning Circle: The 1619 Project – 6 p.m. (Adult programming)  register

 

Thursday 8/20

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

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

Virtual Reading Buddies – 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

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

Career Development Intensive Coaching – 12:30 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

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

Caregiver Class: Active Reading Comprehension Strategies for Upper Elementary – 6 p.m. (Adult programming)  register

Teens LIVE on Instagram: Build a Terrarium – 6 p.m. (Teen programming)  learn more

Social Justice Book Club: Reading to Understand – 6 p.m. (Adult programming)   register

 

Friday 8/21

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

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

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

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

Engage 2020: Ted Talks Discussion Group: Overlooked History – 11 a.m. (Adult programming)  register

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

Mindful Friday - Meditation for Wellness – 12 p.m. (Adult programming)  register

Learning Circle: How to Be an LGBT+ Ally – 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

Writers Conversation Hour – 6 p.m.  (Adult programming)   register

 

Saturday 8/22

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

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

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

Virtual Laundry Day – 11 a.m. (Adult programming)  register 

Bullet Journaling Group – 2 p.m. (Adult programming)  register

Social Justice Book Club: Reading to Understand – 2 p.m. (Adult programming)   register

 

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One hundred years ago this very month, women earned the right to vote.

In celebration of this epic moment in our nation’s history, the centennial of the 19th Amendment, Engage2020 presents a filmed theatrical performance for the whole family of the short play, Failure is Impossible.

Playwright Rosemary Knower was originally commissioned to write the script in 1995 for the 75th-anniversary commemoration at the National Archives. The piece uses eyewitness accounts and original documents—drawing in great detail and accuracy from the Congressional Record, personal letters within the government’s legislative records, petitions to Congress and archival sources (newspaper editorials, diaries, memoirs, etc.)—to provide a dramatized account of the debate for women’s suffrage. And what a debate it was.

To bring this struggle to life, the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library’s Theatrical Training Team hired a team of talented local professional actresses (in fact, faces that Charlotte families might recognize from Children’s Theatre of Charlotte shows at ImaginOn) to portray real-life heroes and heroines of the suffragist movement such as Sojourner Truth, Abigail Adams, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Frederick Douglass, Lucy Stone, and Susan B. Anthony.

This family-friendly, digital theatre experience supports the ongoing goal of Engage 2020: to connect the community in a conversation around the history of voting in the United States, past and current civic and social trends, as well as to spotlight the history of voting rights, particularly concerning women and women of color.

In this election year, the Library is partnering with the Digital Public Library of America (DPLA) offering special programs like this—which received generous support from the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) and North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources’ "She Changed the World" project—to encourage everyone to look back at past accomplishments and to move forward with empowerment to make a difference in one's community. Learn more about Engage 2020 here.

We hope you enjoy the show and that it inspires youth and adults alike to join the conversation.

 

 

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Missing your favorite Con?

Don’t worry - Charlotte Mecklenburg Library has you covered with Teen Geek Week happening May 1-7, 2022!

Throughout the week starting on Monday, May 2, check out a variety of online programs including BTS trivia, gaming, comic creations, paper circuits, writing fanfiction and more! Check out the full calendar below or search our online calendar for more details. Don’t miss out on everything else that will be happening on our CMLibrary Teens Instagram @cmlibraryteens that will feature a collection of Marvel-ous activities, gaming, cosplay tutorials and more!

And if you still can't get enough of Teen Geek Week, be sure to download one of the Teen Geek Week Activity Packs or grab one from the teen area in your branch!

Activity Packs

HARRY POTTER  |  ANIME/MANGA  |  STAR WARS  |  GAMING  |  MARVEL VS DC  |  TV/MOVIE  |  DISNEY

 

 VIRTUAL Teen geek week COSPLAY Showcase

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Want to be featured on our CMLibrary Teens Instagram @cmlibraryteens for the Cosplay Showcase? The Teen Geek Week Cosplay Showcase is not a competition, but a way for you to show off your cosplay(s) online that you would like to bring to a con.

Participants must complete this form to enter!

A couple of rules before you submit your costume:

• All cosplays must be appropriate for all ages. Please keep it PG-13.
• Cosplays can be handmade or store-bought.
• Must list full names of everyone in your entry.
• Your video submission must be between 30-60 seconds. Pose, twirl and show off your cosplay.
• Format requirements: 1080px by 1920px (standard size for most smartphones screens) MP4.
• You must have parent/guardian approval to enter. By submitting your application, you are acknowledging you have parent/guardian approval to be featured on our website and social media!

The deadline for submission is Friday, May 6.

Follow us at @cmlibraryteens to stay connected, and never miss out on anything for teens at the Library ever again!

Teen Geek Week Online Programs

Virtual Scavenger Hunt: The adventure awaits! Throughout Mecklenburg County, there are some really cool Art Murals! Take a picture and share it with us for a chance to score one of our Geek Packs! Tag us on Instagram @cmlibraryteens by May 6, 2022, by using the hashtag #cmlibraryteengeekweek, for a chance to win a prize in our Raffle.

• Harry Potter Teen Trivia

• Teen Board Games
• Anime Art Basics
• STEAM 101: Paper Circuits Star Wars (South Boulevard)

• Wordle Wednesday
• Tween Trivia Throwdown: Star Wars
• Teen Reading Rants (Graphic Novels and Comics)
• Learn, Connect, Play: Among Us (South Boulevard)
• Star Wars Day Trivia
• Cosplay 101 with Hayley & Michael (Teens Live on Instagram)

• Anime Art Coloring
• THROH Pokémon Bingo
• Let's Write Fanfiction!
• Manga vs Anime
• Dungeons and Dragons For Tweens!
• Manga Mania Teen Comic Book Club (South Boulevard)

• Fan - Art Friday
• Free Comic Book Day (North County Regional Library)
• Free Comic Book Day (Allegra Westbrooks Regional Library)
• Teen Geek Club: Annual Superhero Assembly Mystery (South Boulevard)

 

• Free Comic Book Day North County
• Free Comic Book Day Allegra Westbrooks
• Free Comic Book Day Steele Creek
• Teen Geek Club: Superhero Assembly South Boulevard

ESCAPE ROOMS:

RESCUE BABY YODA ESCAPE ROOM  |  HARRY POTTER ESCAPE ROOM  |  HAMILTON ESCAPE ROOM 

HUNGER GAMES ESCAPE ROOM  |  RIVERDALE ESCAPE ROOM

RESOURCES

Comics

• CMLIbrary Comics
• Hoopla Digital
• Overdrive Teen Collection
• Comic Con at Home
• UNCC Special Collections
• Library of Congress Webcomics Archive
• Pixton
• Image Comics
• VIZ Media
• Tokyopop
• Webtoons
• Manga 101

Cosplay:

• Cosplay Bibliocommons List

Cosplay Tutorial Guides:

• Universal Class
• Cosplay.com
• Certified Comics
• Geek Gals
• KamuiCosplay
• CosplayCentral

Videos Playlists:

• Mango Serene
• Michael & Hayley
• MakeLovelyCosplay
• KamuiCosplay

Role Playing Games:

• Dewey & Dragons Book List
• Beginner Guides for Dungeons & Dragons
• Free Weekly Dungeons & Dragons Material
• Magic the Gathering Rules
• Accessibility and Inclusion Resources for RPGs
• How to Virtually Play RPGs
• Slaying Real Monsters & Building Communities Through Role Playing Games

Teen Geek Week Discord Server

Can’t get enough of Teen Geek Week? Join our discord, our virtual hangout space to share, socialize and make new friends. It’s open to anyone in grades 6-12.

While participating in Teen Geek Week Discord Server, moderators will hold participants to Charlotte Mecklenburg Library guidelines as well as the Discord Guidelines in order to create an affirming environment for all participants.

Users will have to agree to the Server guidelines when they join before they can join the discussion. Violation of Center or Discord guidelines can result in removal from the server.

JOIN OUR DISCORD

 *Note: You may be subject to screening to confirm your identity before being granted full server access.

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Thsi blog was written bu Kiara Garrett, teen service specialist for Charlotte Mecklenburg Library.

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Are you looking to jumpstart a new career but don't know where to begin? Maybe you're wanting to move up in a current role or try something new altogether. Charlotte Mecklenburg Library is here to help by offering access to a variety of great online resources to help you on your way. Continue reading to learn about some of the wonderful free resources available to you with your Library card.

LinkedIn Learning - LinkedIn Learning is an online educational site that includes over 3,000 courses (and over 130,000 videos) in popular fields like web design, web development, IT, education/instruction, media production, and business.  

Ferguson's Career Guidance Center - Ferguson’s Career Guidance Center is a comprehensive resource for career exploration and planning that allows users to quickly find the valuable career information they need, whether it’s industry and professions articles, school planning resources, or skills and career advice.

Learning Express - Suite of highly-acclaimed eLearning solutions which provide interactive tutorials, practice tests, e-books, flashcards and articles for academic skill-building, standardized test preparation, career development and more.

LibGuide: Careers - LibGuides are a subject guide that pulls together all types of information about a particular subject or topic.  Charlotte Mecklenburg Library LibGuides contain information about our Library's resources (books, databases, etc.) and web sites that are relevant to the subject or topic.  

Tutor.com - Adult learners can get help in English and Spanish. Tutors are available for career help, including resume review, job searching and interview preparation. Tutors can also help with GED and Citizenship preparation, and essay review. Additionally, tutors can help adult learners with back to school needs.

 

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SouthPark Regional Library can be found on the corner of Colony Rd and Carnegie Blvd. With over 26,000 square feet, there are spaces for studying, working, and browsing the collection. When you walk in, you will find our expanded Children’s Area, Community Room, and Café seating area. The upper floor houses our Computer Lab, makerspace, Teen Area and study rooms. Also on the second floor, the world language collection includes Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish, and Vietnamese, as well as Chinese, French, German and Spanish titles for children.

The SouthPark Mall is considered a staple of the SouthPark area. It is home to a variety of stores and restaurants. Whether you are looking to shop, grab a bite to eat, or just take a walk, SouthPark Mall is the place. Beside the SouthPark Mall stands Symphony Park, a large grassy lawn that holds many concerts and events throughout the year. Beginning in June, Symphony Park hosts the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra’s Summer Pops series, featuring a variety of music from popular cinematic soundtracks to opera performances.

If you are looking to go outdoors, check out nearby Park Road Park. The 72-acre park holds baseball fields, basketball courts, tennis courts, a volleyball court and a playground. Scenic walking trails surround a centrally located lake with piers. The area is also home to nearby Little Sugar Creek Greenway. The Little Sugar Creek Greenway, beginning at Tyvola Rd, runs for 4.8 miles. The greenway accommodates walkers, runners and bikers alike. It even includes a bridge connecting over to Park Road Park.

The Levine Jewish Community Center is a diverse, inclusive, multi-cultural community center, open to everyone of all faiths. The Levine JCC has a fitness center with indoor basketball courts, racquetball courts, tennis courts, and indoor and outdoor pools. The facilities host sports programs for youth and adults, summer camps, and cultural arts activities. The surrounding Shalom Park holds the Jewish Federation for Greater Charlotte, Jewish Family Services, Temple Beth El, Temple Israel, the Foundation of Shalom Park, the Charlotte Jewish Preschool, the Charlotte Jewish Day School, and the B’nai B’rith Youth Organization, as well as the Center for Jewish Education, Temple Beth El, Temple Israel, the Foundation of Shalom Park, the Charlotte Jewish Preschool, the Charlotte Jewish Day School, the B’nai B’rith Youth Organization, and the Center for Jewish Education and the Center for Jewish Education.

The Mint Museum Randolph, located around 15 minutes away, has galleries with the art of the ancient Americas, ceramics and decorative arts, and European and African art, among other collections. Located in what was the original branch of the United States Mint, the Mint Museum Randolph opened in 1936 as North Carolina’s first art museum. Additional areas of interest within the museum include a reference library, a theater featuring lectures and performances, and a museum store. Visit on Wednesday evenings from 5-9 p.m. for free admission!

With a variety of restaurant options available around the area, it is no surprise that the SouthPark staff have a few favorites. Renaissance Patisserie is a local café that offers French pastries, traditional baguettes, and the home of Charlotte's only Kouign "Queen" Amann. Another favorite is Milk Cha Cha, a boba tea shop providing a unique experience by using fresh fruits, fresh dairy and premium loose-leaf teas. The area is also home to Café Monte, a French Bistro serving classic Provence-style dishes and pastries made using local ingredients.

New to Charlotte? Explore other neighborhoods through the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library blog and WelcomeCLT, a digital space created for newcomers to Charlotte.

 

Resources:

• SouthPark Regional Library - 7015 Carnegie Blvd Charlotte, NC 28211 | 704-416-5400
• Café Monte - 6700 Fairview Rd Charlotte, NC 28210 | 704-552-1116
• Levine Jewish Community Center - 5007 Providence Rd Charlotte, NC 28226 | 704-366-5007
• Little Sugar Creek Greenway
• Milk Cha Cha - 4620 Piedmont Row Dr Suite 170A Charlotte, NC 28210 | 980-298-6226
• Mint Museum Randolph - 2730 Randolph Rd Charlotte, NC 28207 | 704-337-2000
• Park Road Park - 6220 Park Rd Charlotte, NC 28210
• Renaissance Patisserie - 6401 Carnegie Blvd #4A Charlotte, NC 28211 | 980-819-8771
• SouthPark Mall - 4400 Sharon Rd, Charlotte, NC 28211 | 704-364-4411
• Summer Pops - 4400 Sharon Rd, Charlotte, NC 28211

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This blog post was written by Kristin Wilkins, library assistant for Charlotte Mecklenburg Library.