At Charlotte Mecklenburg Library, we believe that every voice counts. In recent years, we’ve witnessed teens stepping up more than ever, establishing and amplifying their voices for the causes that speak most to their hearts. Are you a passionate teen who wants to change the course of history? Do you know one? A good place to start is through the Library.

Teens of all skill levels are invited to join us online for bi-weekly meetings as we IGNITE our inner creativity and voice to promote social change. Each month, we will highlight a different social challenge, with meetings alternating between an art and writing focus. In order to attend this program, you will need to provide a valid email address at registration. Instructions and links to join the program will be provided the day before the program begins.

The first Teen IGNITE meeting kicks off on Tuesday, September 8, 2020 at 4 p.m.

Click here to register for the Teen IGNITE program.

Questions? Contact :
Tobias Dean, Plaza Midwood Library
704-416-6200
[email protected]

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 9/7/2020 below. Click the corresponding links for more information and register for programs where applicable.

Learn more about online programming by clicking here

Monday 9/7

LABOR DAY- NO PROGRAMMING

Tuesday 9/8         

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

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

Getting Started with Microsoft Powerpoint – 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

Active Reading Training for Caregivers of 2-5 Year Olds  – 12 p.m. (Adult programming)   register

Virtual Reading Buddies – 12 p.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

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

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

One-on-One Tutoring and Enrichment – 3 p.m. (Children's programming)  register

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

One-on-One Tutoring and Enrichment – 4 p.m. (Children's programming)  register

Virtual Reading Buddies – 4 p.m.  (Children's programming)  register

One-on-One Tutoring and Enrichment – 5 p.m. (Children's programming)  register

Virtual Reading Buddies – 5 p.m.  (Children's programming)  register

One-on-One Tutoring and Enrichment – 6 p.m. (Children's programming)  register

Virtual Reading Buddies – 6 p.m.  (Children's programming)  register

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

Wednesday 9/9

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

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

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

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

Virtual Reading Buddies – 12 p.m.  (Children's programming)   register

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

One-on-One Tutoring and Enrichment – 2 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 - 3 p.m. (Children's programming)   register

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

One-on-One Tutoring and Enrichment - 4 p.m. (Children's programming)   register

Virtual Reading Buddies – 4 p.m.  (Children's programming)   register

Teens LIVE on Instagram: Pumpkin Spice Latte – 5 p.m. (Teen programming)  learn more

One-on-One Tutoring and Enrichment - 5 p.m. (Children's programming)   register

Virtual Reading Buddies – 5 p.m.  (Children's programming)   register

One-on-One Tutoring and Enrichment – 6 p.m. (Children's programming)   register

Virtual Reading Buddies – 6 p.m.  (Children's programming)   register

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

Thursday 9/10

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

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

Virtual Reading Buddies – 12 p.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

Learning Circle: American Sign Language – 2 p.m. (Adult programming)  register

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

Learning Circle: Foundations of Mindfulness – 3 p.m. (Adult programming)   register

Story Explorer’s Enrichment – 3 p.m. (Children's programming)   learn more

One-on-One Tutoring and Enrichment – 3 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

One-on-One Tutoring and Enrichment – 4 p.m. (Children's programming)  register

Virtual Reading Buddies – 4 p.m.  (Children's programming)  register

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

One-on-One Tutoring and Enrichment – 5 p.m. (Children's programming)  register

Virtual Reading Buddies – 5 p.m.  (Children's programming)  register

One-on-One Tutoring and Enrichment – 6 p.m. (Children's programming)  register

Virtual Reading Buddies – 6 p.m.  (Children's programming)  register

Teens Live on Instagram: Career Conversation with Jason Atkins – 6 p.m. (Teen programming)  learn more

Friday 9/11

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

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

Virtual Reading Buddies – 12 a.m. (Children's 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 p.m. (Children's programming)   register

One-on-One Tutoring and Enrichment – 3 p.m. (Children's programming)   register

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

Saturday 9/12

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

Getting Started Podcasting – 10 a.m. (Adult programming) 

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

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

Did you know hoopla Digital has a vast array of music you can borrow and listen to? Everything from alternative to world music is at your reach. They even have fun categories to discover music like Best In 2020 So Far and Meditation and Mindfulness.

Discover new artists and reconnect with your favorites! Below, you will find the top five music downloads that Charlotte Mecklenburg Library customers have been enjoying and dancing to over the past month. All you need to join in the fun is your Charlotte Mecklenburg Library card or One Access ID number!

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

1. Hamilton (Original Broadway Cast Recording) (2015)
    
2. Folklore by Taylor Swift (2020)
    
3. Frozen 2 (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)(2019)
    
4. KIDZ BOP Party Playlist!  (2020) 
    
5. The Greatest Showman (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) (2017)

--

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

This Fall, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library is teaming up with several local universities to get students and the community involved in the political process. The first of these events, which takes place in conjunction with Queens University, will take place on Thursday, September 17 at 7 p.m.

This will be an evening of timely discussion and voter engagement. In this pivotal election year, voter turnout and education are of utmost importance. Engage HER on Campus at Queens University seeks to increase voter knowledge and celebrate the centennial of women’s suffrage. Mayor Vi Lyles is leading this program as the keynote speaker, with panelists NC Representative Carolyn Logan, at-large member of the Board of Education Jennifer De La Jara, and president of the League of Women Voters Charlotte-Mecklenburg Delores Johnson Hurt.  These prominent women will share their stories of serving in roles dedicated to public service and talk about the paths that brought them to their current positions.

“As a Queen's alumna, I am thrilled to be part of this Engage HER event with Charlotte Mecklenburg Library where we can gather and participate in a conversation with other prominent women on the importance of voting, civic engagement, and public service,” says Vi Lyles, Charlotte Mayor And Honorary Chair of the Engage 2020 program. “This event is important as we look at the women who came before, the women with us today who are rethinking the rules and inventing new paths, and the women who will lead us in future generations. These women use their voices, reimagine the workplace, create cultures of inspiration, and lead with determination. In coming together, we will harness the energies and resources of all our community assets.”

The event will be highly interactive. Queens University Civic Engagement Fellow Emily Sears will be moderating the panel and encouraging audience questions and participation. "Engage HER at Queens is a vital opportunity for students and community members alike to gain new perspectives on the importance of local government officials and the formidable women who work tirelessly for the equitable advancement of all Mecklenburg residents. As we look towards the election, I believe that Engage HER will play an important role in encouraging college students, particularly young women, to make informed decisions about issues and candidates that will appear on their ballots in November," Sears says.

This program is open to all of Queen's campus and the Charlotte community and will be live-streamed on the Library’s Facebook page and YouTube Channel. We hope you will tune in for this opportunity to learn, engage, and even enter for a chance to win a few giveaways.

Engage HER was created in partnership with Queens University of Charlotte’s Wells Fargo Center for Community Engagement and the Charlotte Mecklenburg Libraries. Learn more about the full Engage 2020 program here.

The South County Regional Library renovation project is well underway.

South County closed to the public on November 3, 2019 at 5 p.m. and is expected to reopen to the community in early 2021.  The current renovation project, which will allow Charlotte Mecklenburg Library to better serve Mecklenburg County,  is in process due to customer feedback and with funding from Mecklenburg County.

Curious about how renovations are taking shape? Here's what's happening at South County:

Photo (A) shows a construction worker busy on the second floor.

Photo (B) provides a view of the much larger teen area in progress on the second floor.

Photo (C) shows a community room, placed over the front lobby entrance.

Photo (D) spotlights construction in the lobby with a view towards the main entrance.

While all Library branches closed earlier this spring in response to COVID-19, the Library is now open with limited services under Phase 1 of its multi-phased re-opening operations plan (Note: the Library's phased re-opening plan does not coincide with the plan implemented by North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper).



During Phase 1, Library customers can enjoy holds pickup, browsing of "grab and go" items in the self checkout area and return materials to designated bins. Also during this time, the Library is waiving rental fees on devices such as hot spots and will not assess late fees/fines for borrowed materials. Click here for more details regarding Phase 1 Library operations.

The Library continues to offer COVID-safe services to the public at this time which includes access to online and digital resources, virtual programs, storytimes and much more. Visit cmlibrary.org for more details.

Live in the South County community and want to borrow materials? See below for information on branches available to you at this time. 

Local branches to the South Mecklenburg County area (for holds pickup and returns)

• Morrison Regional Library - 7015 Morrison Boulevard, Charlotte 28211 704-416-5400
• Matthews Library - 230 Matthews Station Street, Matthews 28105 704-416-5000
• Steele Creek Library -13620 Steele Creek Road, Charlotte  28273 704-416-6800
• Independence Regional Library - 6000 Conference Drive, Charlotte 28212 704-416-4800

Thank you for your patience during our renovation. We value you as a customer and look forward to welcoming you back and showing you the exciting changes to our newly renovated Library when we re-open!

Click here to get the FAQs on the South County Regional Library Renovation 

Please stay tuned for more updates.

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 9/14/2020 below. Click the corresponding links for more information and register for programs where applicable.

Learn more about online programming by clicking here

Sunday 9/13

Engage 2020: Community Conversations - Local Voices Matter  register

Monday 9/14

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

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

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

Virtual Reading Buddies – 12 p.m.  (Children's programming)   register

Mindful Mondays - Guided Relaxation and Meditation  –  12 p.m. (Adult programming)   register

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

One-on-One Tutoring and Enrichment – 2 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 - 3 p.m. (Children's programming)  register

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

One-on-One Tutoring and Enrichment - 4 p.m. (Children's programming)   register

Virtual Reading Buddies – 4 p.m.  (Children's programming)   register

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

One-on-One Tutoring and Enrichment - 5 p.m. (Children's programming)   register

Virtual Reading Buddies – 5 p.m.  (Children's programming)   register

One-on-One Tutoring and Enrichment – 6 p.m. (Children's programming)   register

Virtual Reading Buddies – 6 p.m.  (Children's programming)   register

Tuesday 9/15         

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

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

Getting Started with Microsoft Powerpoint – 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

Active Reading Training for Caregivers of K-3 Students – 12 p.m. (Adult 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 – 12 p.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

Intro to Proposal Writing – 2 p.m. (Adult programming) 

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

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

Story Explorers Enrichment – 3 p.m. (Children's programming)  register

One-on-One Tutoring and Enrichment – 3 p.m. (Children's programming)  register

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

One-on-One Tutoring and Enrichment – 4 p.m. (Children's programming)  register

Virtual Reading Buddies – 4 p.m.  (Children's programming)  register

One-on-One Tutoring and Enrichment – 5 p.m. (Children's programming)  register

Virtual Reading Buddies – 5 p.m.  (Children's programming)  register

One-on-One Tutoring and Enrichment – 6 p.m. (Children's programming)  register

Virtual Reading Buddies – 6 p.m.  (Children's programming)  register

Creating Resumes with the Job Help Center – 6:30 p.m.  (Adult programming)   register

Wednesday 9/16

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

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

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

Virtual Reading Buddies – 12 p.m.  (Children's programming)   register

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

One-on-One Tutoring and Enrichment – 2 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

Active Reading Comprehension Strategies for Upper Elementary Learners  – 3 p.m. (Adult programming)  register

One-on-One Tutoring and Enrichment - 3 p.m. (Children's programming)   register

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

One-on-One Tutoring and Enrichment - 4 p.m. (Children's programming)   register

Virtual Reading Buddies – 4 p.m.  (Children's programming)   register

One-on-One Tutoring and Enrichment - 5 p.m. (Children's programming)   register

Virtual Reading Buddies – 5 p.m.  (Children's programming)   register

One-on-One Tutoring and Enrichment – 6 p.m. (Children's programming)   register

Virtual Reading Buddies – 6 p.m.  (Children's programming)   register

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

Thursday 9/17

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

Cuentos en 2 idiomas: inglés y 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

Virtual Reading Buddies – 12 p.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

Learning Circle: American Sign Language – 2 p.m. (Adult programming)  register

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

Learning Circle: Foundations of Mindfulness – 3 p.m. (Adult programming) 

Story Explorer’s Enrichment – 3 p.m. (Children's programming)  register

One-on-One Tutoring and Enrichment – 3 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)  register

One-on-One Tutoring and Enrichment – 4 p.m. (Children's programming)  register

Virtual Reading Buddies – 4 p.m.  (Children's programming)  register

One-on-One Tutoring and Enrichment – 5 p.m. (Children's programming)  register

Virtual Reading Buddies – 5 p.m.  (Children's programming)  register

One-on-One Tutoring and Enrichment – 6 p.m. (Children's programming)  register

Virtual Reading Buddies – 6 p.m.  (Children's programming)  register

Teens Live on Instagram: Bullet Journaling – 6 p.m. (Teen programming)  learn more

Remote Learning 101: Using Library Resources to Enhance Your Child's Learning – 6 p.m. (Adult programming)  register

Friday 9/18

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

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: Ted Talks Discussion: The Importance of Seeking The Whole Story – 11 a.m. (Adult programming) 

Virtual Reading Buddies – 12 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 p.m. (Children's programming)   register

One-on-One Tutoring and Enrichment – 3 p.m. (Children's programming)   register

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

Saturday 9/19

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

2020 is really something. Kobe Bryant’s sudden death in January brought a feeling of mortality that I cannot shake to this day. One doesn’t need to be a basketball fan to recognize the name of a man who influenced nearly every Black teen’s jump shot for the past 20 years. Kobe’s legacy lives on. Now, with Chadwick Boseman’s death in August, we honor a similar legacy.

In his most prolific role, Chadwick Boseman was much more than just the sovereign T’Challa of the fictional Wakanda. It’s his legacy as the Black Panther who gave young Black children in communities all over the world a hero who looked like them. 

Chadwick and Black Panther movie director Ryan Coogler were able to turn a somewhat obscure Marvel character into a mainstay while creating a cultural phenomenon. I saw Black Panther four times the month it came out. Inspired by the significance of the plot and my own personal role influencing children in the community, I decided to don the Black Panther persona in the Library, hoping to accomplish a fraction of what Chadwick managed to do in his role onscreen. Black men are significantly underrepresented in libraries and education, so as the outlier I could show the real importance of that representation.

Even my roleplaying of this character only scratches the surface of what this fine actor accomplished. Long before Black Panther or his rise to superstardom, Boseman played other notable Black heroes like Jackie Robinson, Thurgood Marshall and James Brown. In his personal life, Chadwick was often acknowledged for his kindness, humility and strength of character. He continued to be a hero despite his cancer diagnosis. That is another reason why his death is surreal to me. It is especially devastating when the good die young.

2020 was supposed to be our year, a year full of potential, the start to a shiny new decade that would leave behind the uncertainty of years past and bring hope to a new generation. What we got in return was a far cry from our expectations, and so broad in its effect there isn’t enough room on this page to recount it all. (SPOILER ALERT) Much like the end of the movie Avengers: Infinity War, we have been left blindsided by the sheer amount of loss. If there was one thing I was not prepared for when watching that movie for the first time, it was for the heroes to fall short, lose their battle and perish. Among the fallen was King T’Challa/Black Panther himself, who disintegrated amid the chaos of war. The Marvel Universe can easily correct any adversity with a second movie but, sadly, there are no do-overs in the real world and we mourn the loss of Chadwick Boseman. A king has fallen but the kingdom lives on. Wakanda Forever.

--

This blog was written by Darius Smalls at the ImaginOn branch of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library

James Baldwin once said, “To be a Negro in this country and to be relatively conscious is to be in a rage almost all the time...”

Although Baldwin was quoted saying this in 1961, his words still resonate in 2020 concerning America’s state of affairs. Imagine being Black and waking up nearly every day to a new case of police brutality against Black people, with protests erupting from supporters of Black lives lost and brutalized and still having to go on with your regular routine.

Work. It is that place where we spend most of our time and forge formidable relationships that we sustain throughout life--or at least until we move on to the next job. Work is the routine we must keep up in these trying times. We have lifestyles to maintain, which depends on whether you are earning a livable wage.

Still, the most prominent obstacle in keeping up with the day-to-day is dealing with how Black people are treated in America and how current events affect Black people in the workplace. We become mad, sad, numb, sometimes desensitized, and a whole host of other feelings. Black people are constantly working to cope with what’s happening to them in the streets. We consider taking time to embrace the care needed surrounding being Black in America and seeking support from other Black people­-–specifically family and close friends. But how do we perceive and receive support from the place where we spend most of our time: the workplace?

Navigating the workplace as a Black employee is trying during times of civil unrest. Many organizations have become hyper-aware of these circumstances and are taking steps to address the issues to support Black people. The workplace’s response to what’s happening in America with Black people is crucial in maintaining a healthy space where we can feel safe with our thoughts, feelings and actions. We spend much of our life in the workplace, and emotional safety is becoming something that we need more and more of because Black people are emotionally drained. The support of leaders and coworkers is essential to the productivity and deliverables expected of our time spent at work.

Here are some ways you can support your Black employees and coworkers:

• Allow space. Be empathetic to the needs of Black people and their need to take a break and be silent. We don’t always want to talk about it.
• Recognize your privilege. Don’t be so comfortable in your privilege that you alienate the people with whom you work closely.
• Get educated. Don’t expect Black people to educate you on what’s going on with the state of Black people in America. Educate yourself beyond what you see in the news and on social media.
• Broadcast your support. Be an ally and an anti-racist. Call people out when they say or do racist things because your silence is complicit.

Now let’s revisit the quote by James Baldwin, but this time in full: “To be a Negro in this country and to be relatively conscious is to be in a state of rage almost, almost all of the time — and in one’s work. And part of the rage is this: It isn’t only what is happening to you. But it’s what’s happening all around you and all of the time in the face of the most extraordinary and criminal indifference, indifference of most white people in this country, and their ignorance. Now, since this is so, it’s a great temptation to simplify the issues under the illusion that if you simplify them enough, people will recognize them. I think this illusion is very dangerous because, in fact, it isn’t the way it works. A complex thing can’t be made simple. You simply have to try to deal with it in all its complexity and hope to get that complexity across.”

Now, let’s sit with that, welcome these suggestions, and make impactful change in the world.

This blog written by De’Trice Fox at the Job Help Center at Main Library of Charlotte Mecklenburg Library 

As a teen librarian, I was hesitant about developing and facilitating my first virtual program during the summer of 2020. The weight of current events made it difficult for me as I found myself unmotivated to promote my regular programs. In many of the outreach programs I facilitate, transparency is a common theme. Being transparent allows me to build authentic trust and form healthy relationships with the teens I serve. So, I knew if I facilitated a program that did not address current events, I would be doing my participants, the community and myself a disservice. As a teen librarian, my ultimate goal is to ensure that my department is viewed as a learning center for young adults. If we’re honest with ourselves, we learn the most when we’re uncomfortable and while having tough but important conversations.

Navigating how to have a conversation about race with teens was tricky. I knew a structured program would feel forced and disingenuous. While we’re all getting used to virtual meetings, an open dialogue might not be productive because the online space is a difficult place to exhibit vulnerability. Establishing the trust necessary to have an open discussion about race takes time and a lot of trial and error. 

I began developing my program knowing that for the first session engagement would mostly likely be minimal and so I shifted my measurement of success. To me, this program would be successful if even only one participant felt safe enough to share his or her experiences. I also invited panelists to be a part of the program. Collaborating with people who are dedicated to social change helped me build confidence while providing important suggestions as I developed the program. Ultimately, the program was a success. The panelists offered great insight, and the program participants were actively engaged.

As we navigate the necessary conversations about race and other issues in our community, we need to shift our focus. This is especially true when having these conversations with youth. We shouldn’t shy away from tough conversations because, ultimately, they foster healthy dialogue and true growth. They allow us to connect and build trust with the people who matter most to us. As we collaborate with trusted community members and organizations, we do our part to build a stronger community.

Today, I encourage you to step out of your comfort zone and do something to spark real change in your conversation. Whether it’s attending one of Charlotte Mecklenburg Library’s Black Lives Matter programs or having a tough conversation of your own, just know taking one step today can positively impact your community tomorrow.

--

This blog was written by Cearra Harris at the West Boulevard Library branch of Charlotte Mecklenburg Library.