Charlotte Mecklenburg Library is proud to be a part of  Charlotte SHOUT! to celebrate art, music, food and ideas in Uptown April 29 – May 11. Visit cltshout.com for more information and event listings.

Running May 9 – 11, 2019, About Face Charlotte will create a large scale, multimedia, multicultural, interactive installation, incorporating visual arts and technology. The installation, The Future is Now!, will wrap the exterior of  Charlotte Mecklenburg Library's Main Library in very large portraits of our youth and give the opportunity to hear their voices, creating a community sensory experience that will inspire viewers with a vision for the next 250 years in the Queen City. About Face Charlotte is partnering with internationally-known artist, JR and his global InsideOut Project, to print the large scale photographs.

If you're seeking more information on the history of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County and North Carolina, the best resource is the Robinson-Spangler Carolina Room at Main Library. There you can work with our specialized staff for historical and genealogical information, maybe review all past issues of The Observer, or even look up the previous owners for your home. Click here for information.

SHOUT! is distinguished this year as the grand finale of CLT250, the celebration of Charlotte’s 250^th anniversary.

Anyone looking for new mysteries this spring can find good options in the Library catalog. This includes the next title in the long-running, private-detective Ali Reynolds series and the last book of the Inspector Tao Yun Shan novels. Here are those titles and a few others to consider:

The A List: An Ali Reynolds Mystery

Writer Judith A. Janice jumps back into Ali Reynold’s previous career as a television news anchor for the latest story in this long-running series. Today, private investigator and cybersecurity company owner, Reynolds lives and works in Sedona, Arizona, where she’s recently married and owns a new house. Ten years ago, though, she worked in Los Angeles where her last news story led to the arrest and imprisonment of a prominent doctor for medical malpractice and, ultimately, a murder charge. That imprisoned doctor still harbors a vengeful anger against those viewed responsible for his fate. He even has a tattooed list of the initials of his enemies to cross off his self-styled Annihilation List. And, as expected, Reynolds’s initials are on the list.  This novel is 14 in  in the series and available in regular, large print, eBook and audiobook formats.       

Bloody January 

It’s 1973 and Glasgow, Scotland is a noir-infused backdrop for the investigations of Detective Harry McCoy into a seemingly quick case. Tipped about a planned killing of a young woman, which occurs the next day by a young man who shoots her in public and then shoots himself, the events appear to be only a sad tragedy. McCoy is convinced otherwise and travels deep into the city’s criminal underworld for answers. Accompanied by a new partner, Watson, through his probes, McCoy believes he is on the right track. His investigation leads to the super-rich Dunlop family with ties to a secret society steeped in criminal activity. However, the investigation stalls as McCoy tries to make his case stick, but he is not deterred. Bloody January is the first of the Harry McCoy series by Alan Parks. The second book is February’s Son. Both titles are available in regular print and e-book formats.     

Bones of the Earth

Inspector Shan Tao Yun, a one-time Beijing, China, law officer who is now exiled to Tibet, continues his law enforcement in his new rural home. Requested to view the execution of a Tibetan for corruption, Shan later suspects the government's actions were not genuine as he’s discovers the deaths of others hidden by the execution. The apparent murders include other Tibetans and an American archaeology student working to protect an ancient shire. Moreover, Shan’s mission is elevated as he accepts the assistance of the American’s angry father to find the truth. All the while, Shan is conflicted by the government, justice and helping his citizens. This novel is the 10th and final of the series. The Library system has eight books in the series by writer Eliot Pattison. 

Murder with Collard Greens and Hot Sauce

Mahalia's Sweet Tea is extra busy serving meals during a huge hair convention in Prince George's County, Maryland. Restaurant manager Halia Watkins has as much work as she can handle when a famous beauty mogul, Monique Depree, arrives and creates an additional buzz in the community. The result is shocking as Depree is shot dead and the death uncovers relationships filled with strife. Enter Watkins and her cousin, Wavonne, to serve as amateur sleuths. Murder with Collard Greens and Hot Sauce is the third of the Mahalia Watkins Soul Food Mystery series by writer A. L. Herbert. The Library offers all three novels.  

Something Read Something Dead: A Lighthouse Library Mystery

Who would tamper with gluten-free treats and kill during a bridal shower? Lucy Richardson, cousin to bride-to-be Josie, oversees the shower to help ease family tension over the coming days. It appears the bride's modest wedding plans are in jeopardy by certain family members. The peace-treaty attempts in the bridal shower fail miserably as a cousin dies and Josie is under police suspicion. Under these circumstances, Lucy, as an amateur sleuth, helps her cousin, to find the killer. Writer Eva Gates has five books in this mystery series and Something Read Something Dead is the latest. The Library has four of the five books set in the Outer Banks of North Carolina.  

On April 22, 2019, Librarian, Dr. Tom Cole, Archivist, Sydney Vaile, Librarian, Shelia Bumgarner and Assistant, Meghan Bowden of the Robinson-Spangler Carolina Room celebrated National Preservation Week by conducting an inventory of all of the items in the historic Dowd House on behalf of Mecklenburg County Parks and Recreation.

This is the last remaining structure associated with Camp Greene, a World War I training camp that was located in Charlotte from 1917-1919. In return, the department received hundreds of personal artifacts of soldiers stationed at Camp Greene, including medals, pay books, equipment and helmets The department also received 85 photographs. These items will become part of the archives.

The department has the largest collection of Camp Greene memorabilia and photographs in the country.

The Novant Health Thanksgiving Day Parade has been bringing a mile of smiles to Charlotteans and worldwide viewers since 1947.  The one-mile long parade that runs down 9th Street to Stonewall has gained a reputation of becoming the fourth largest parade in the country attracting over 110,000 live spectators and 1.5 million TV viewers. Elaborately decorated floats, performances, celebrities, marching bands, and the carousel princesses are the reason why people continue to look forward to and enjoy the spectacle each year.  

John M. Belk., the former chairman and CEO of Belk, Inc., started the Carousel Parade and scholarship program to attract more shoppers to Belk. Carolinas’ Carousel, a charitable organization, recognizes high school students and marching bands who achieve academic excellence. In 2013, the parade’s legacy almost came to a close until Novant Health stepped up to become the parade’s new sponsor.  

Part of the scholarship program are the Carousel Princesses, who represent various North and South Carolina towns. Princesses ride in the parade and participate in two full days of activities similar to a debutante ball. Activities include a mayor’s luncheon, a special tour and reception at Queens College, a Coronation Ball of the Royal Society of the Knights of Carousel where a new king is appointed, a dinner at Radio Center and a football game. There is also a post-parade reception and dance called the “Queens Buffet,” where the new queen is appointed. Historically, princesses were presented with a variety of cash prizes and gifts, but the queen got to choose a beautiful evening dress valued at $100. 

Be sure to come out or watch the parade this Thanksgiving on November 28, 2019 at 9 a.m. to see why this has been a favorite tradition for several decades! 

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This blog was written by Julia Zwetolitz, marketing and communications intern with the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library.

Citations: 
https://www.charlottecentercity.org/belk-carolinas-carrousel-parade-is-back/ 
http://novanthealththanksgivingparade.com/ 
https://cmlibrary.org/blog/library-links-woman-pageant-past 

In the aftermath of World War I, a number of volunteers from American agencies went overseas to help with the return to peacetime and to assist the military with other projects. Annie Lee Hoffman was one of these volunteers, serving on behalf of the YMCA.

The early life of Annie Hoffman

Annie was born on August 9, 1887 in Morganton, North Carolina to Julius and Martha Hoffman. She attended Oxford Seminary in Oxford, NC where she studied office administration.  Later, she moved to Rocky Mount, NC where she was employed as a private stenographer. At the time Annie volunteered overseas, she was the Nash County Court Stenographer. 

Annie joins the YMCA

The mission of the YMCA is to operate as a Christian service to build a healthy spirit, mind, and body for all.  It was established in London, England in June 1844 in response to “unhealthy social conditions” resulting from the Industrial Revolution in large cities. In 1914, the YMCA turned its attention to providing support and wholesome pursuits for troops fighting for Britain and her empire. Examples of services provided include supplying men with writing paper, film showings, libraries, religious services, concert parties, folk dancing and educational lectures.     



The YMCA opened its doors for women in July 1917.  Prior to this, Americans did not believe that women could hold up to the physical and mental strain of war work. Women certainly proved these ideas wrong by serving as nurses, surgeons, chaplains, chaplain's assistants, distributors of medical supplies and distributors of food and clothing. Some women also served on the battlefield with horse drawn canteens that had built and staffed a kitchen, hotel and a hospital. Women volunteers also provided male soldiers with free meals and taught men to read and write.

(Left): This movement order allowed Annie to serve with the French YMCA. At this time, she was not doing front line work and was advised to sightsee. (Right): Annie and other women serving as YMCA volunteers.

By 1918, over 300 YMCA centers existed in France. There were approximately 1,700 volunteers in French YMCAs, mostly women. Each center offered a canteen, chapel, concert hall, library, game room and classroom.

 

Annie leaves the YMCA

Throughout her travels, Annie kept a detailed account of foreign lands laying in ruins during the war. Her papers, held in the Robinson-Spangler Carolina Room, contain extensive letters that she wrote to her mother and sisters in the form of a diary.



After she was honorably discharged from her volunteer service in 1919, she returned to Rocky Mount. She later died at age of 97 in her hometown on October 9,1984.

 (Left): Annie’s discharge papers, which allowed her to serve on the front line. All volunteers had to complete a medical and physical examination in order to determine where they can serve. (Right): Honorable discharge papers with record of service.

Want to learn more about Annie Lee Hoffman’s service overseas during World War I? Visit the Carolina Room on the third floor of Main Library!

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This blog was written by Julia Zwetolitz, marketing and communications intern, of Charlotte Mecklenburg Library

References:

Annie Lee Hoffman Papers, 1909-1926. Robinson-Spangler Carolina Room, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library.

"Our History- A Brief History of the YMCA Movement.” YMCA. Accessed November 2019. http://www.mfldymca.org/about_us/history_national.php.

By now, you’ve probably seen images of Queen Charlotte plastered across Charlotte Mecklenburg Library social media accounts. The Queen, who arrived in her city-namesake in September 2019, has been on the move since she got here. While her presence has taken the city by storm, it’s also left many residents and visitors asking the question: Why is the Queen here?

Because she never made it to Charlotte during her lifetime, that’s why.

Most importantly, Queen Charlotte, who has been immortalized in cardboard thanks to our friends at the Mint Museum and our own Robinson-Spangler Carolina Room, is meant to bring awareness to the Robinson-Spangler Carolina Room as a treasure trove of historical and geneaological resources. She is also meant to be a fun, unifying, educational, conversational and engaging addition to the Charlotte community. The Queen will tour "Crown Town" for approximately one year – learning about the city and the way Charlotteans live life. She will also educate and liaise with the community along the way.

Queen Charlotte was initially prompted to visit Charlotte when she received news from the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library's Historian-in-Residence, Tom Hanchett, that the iconic Dairy Queen on Central Avenue in Plaza-Midwood was due to close this fall. She was devastated yet intrigued.

The Queen reported that she previously heard news of a rapidly expanding and changing Charlotte. It alarmed her that she could miss out on discovering the essence of what makes the Queen City regal. So, she challenged herself to visit as many historical landmarks in the city as she can– with plans to meet residents and have fun along the way.

And the Queen is having fun, indeed! Since her September arrival, the Queen has:

• Said her goodbyes to the Dairy Queen on Central Avenue
• Signed up for a Library card during Library Card Sign-Up Month
• Had tea and pastries with Marie Antoinette and our friends at the Amelie’s French Café & Bakery flagship location (setting the record straight regarding their upcoming one-mile move deeper into NoDa)
• Participated in a StoryWalk with award-winning author and illustrator, Tony DiTerlizzi
• Accompanied Library staff for their annual Staff Day event to Carowinds (she even rode the Carolina Skytower!)
• Attended the Fall Fest and Grand Re-Opening of North County Regional Library (where she got to meet North Carolina State Librarian, Timothy Owens!)
• Participated in early voting during the Mecklenburg County 2019 election
• Made new friends at EpicFest 2019
• Visited the popular Portal Interactive Gathering Rooms and had a little too much fun in the Benjamin Franklin room, promoting the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Foundation’s CommonSpark Campaign.

The Queen has been busy, but she’s not done enjoying herself.

All friends of the Library are encouraged to follow the Library on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts to keep up with the Queen. And, if you see her around town, don’t be shy. Take a photo with her instead.

Be sure to post your photos on social media with the hashtag #QueentakestheQueen so that the Library and all the Queens people can follow her adventures. Using the hashtag will also help the Queen look back fondly on her time spent in Charlotte when she returns to the past in September of 2020.

Afraid you won’t get a chance to meet the Queen? No worries! Starting on Tuesday, December 3, 2019, Library visitors can find Queen Charlotte (and snap a photo or two) in the Robinson-Spangler Carolina Room on the third floor of Main Library where she will begin residential hours.

The Queen looks forward to meeting you soon!

Have ideas of places Queen Charlotte should visit around the city or neighboring towns? Send suggestions or invitations with the subject "QueentakestheQueen" to [email protected].

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This blog was written by Asha Ellison, marketing & communications specialist at Charlotte Mecklenburg Library.

A new Christmas tradition in Charlotte, you say? Bah, humbug!

Take a break from shopping and come sip some cider with us and celebrate the true spirit of the holidays. The Charlotte Mecklenburg Library (www.cmlibrary.org), Charlotte Center for Literary Arts (www.charlottelit.org), Charlotte Film Society (www.charlottefilmsociety.com), and Children's Theatre of Charlotte (www.ctcharlotte.org) are partnering on a terrific event again this year: our 2nd annual marathon read-aloud of Charles Dickens' holiday classic, A Christmas Carol, paired with a film screening of the book's adaptation by Jim Henson, The Muppet Christmas Carol.

The marathon book reading will take place at ImaginOn on Saturday, December 14, 2019 from 12-4 p.m.in the StoryJar area. Join us for group caroling starting at 12:15, and the reading itself will begin at 1 p.m., featuring 30 local Charlotte performers and authors reading the book from start to finish. Bring the family or come by yourself. Pop in and out, or stay for the whole thing! And it's a Super Saturday, so the Holiday Harps will be in the building for additional ambiance!

Then join us for a screening of one of A Christmas Carol’s most famous film adaptations on Sunday, December 15, 2019 at 2 p.m. in the Wells Fargo Playhouse at ImaginOn.

The library is providing hot cider and ginger snaps for both events. Tacky holiday sweaters are encouraged. All who come are welcome. We hope you join us for this fantastic free weekend!

Children are home from schools, families are in town to visit and sometimes you can’t think of something new or different to do. Or maybe you just need to find a place to escape! Look no further than the Library for great ideas during Winter Break!

Below is highlight of the programs available across all Library locations. The Library has a full list of programs and events available during the Winter Break, with offerings for all ages. There’s no way you can be bored with all the learning and exploring you can do! Check your local branch calendar for all activities, or search system-wide and find a new program at a branch in a different area.

(Holiday hours: All Libraries will close on December 23, 2019 at 5 p.m. and are closed December 24, 25 and 26, 2019, reopening on December 27 at 9 a.m. Please check local branches for Sunday hours. On December 31, 2019 all Libraries will close at 5 p.m., are closed on January 1, 2020. All Libraries will reopen on January 2, 2010 with regular hours.)

Adults

Looking for technology help of any kind from learning how to use Microsoft Word to setting up an email account? Or did you receive new devices during the holidays and need help setting them up? The Library offers many Technology Tutoring classes.Times may vary at each location. Click below.

Technogology Tutoring

Saturday, December 28

Main Library 9:30 am  to 10:00 am Click here

University City 10 am to 12 pm  Click here

Beatties Ford Road Library 10 am to 12 pm   Click here

Independence Boulevard (in Spanish) 2 pm to 3 pm  Click here

Monday, December 30, 2019 - Morrison Library 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm  Click here

Healthcare Navigator

Friday, December 27, 2019 9 am to 4 pm. Do you need health insurance? Do you have questions about your coverage? Speak with a Health Insurance Navigator from the Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy for help with Marketplace coverage through the Affordable Care Act, Medicaid, and Medicare. These appointments are FREE. Individuals interested in scheduling an appointment with a Navigator can do so by calling 1-855-733-3711 or going online to ncnavigator.net.  West Boulevard Library  Click here

Billy Wilder Film Series

Saturday, December 28, 2019 3 pm to 5:30 pm. Join us as we screen and discuss three works from one of Hollywood's most acclaimed directors. The last film in our series is The Lost Weekend (1945). Morrison Library  Click here

Genealogy Discussion Group

Thursday, January 2, 2019 1 pm - 2:30 pm Do you have a family mystery to solve or a favorite relative you would like to learn more about? Join the Matthews Genealogy Discussion Group! You can explore resources in the library, community, and online. Learn how to search, evaluate, organize, and share your discoveries. Newcomers and experienced researchers are welcome! Matthews Library Click here 

Genealogy One-on-One

Thursday, January 2, 2019 3:30 pm, 4:30 pm, 5:30 pm Learn to trace your roots and family history in an individualized one-on-one session. Learn how to get started and tips for research. University City Library Click here

1-on-1 Adult Reading Support Session

Thursday, January 2, 2019 9 am to  8 pm Increase your reading confidence, fluency and comprehension by reading aloud with a library volunteer/staff member during a 30-minute one-on-one session. Beatties Ford Road Library Click here

Teens

Measure Up Cooking: Cooking on a Budget

Monday, December 23, 2019 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm. Learn how to source, select and prepare healthy to go foods on a budget. This program will detail helpful tips for teens and first-time college goers living on a budget. Beatties Ford Road Regional, Randolph Room  Click here 

Community Service Project

Saturday, December 28, 2019 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. Do you want to help the Library with improving lives and building a stronger community? Join us for a unique service project where you can earn community service hours, while also giving back to the city of Charlotte. Independence Regional   Click here 

Teen Anime Club

Thursday, January 2, 2020 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Participate in a discussion about anime, manga and the Japanese language, history, and culture. University City Regional, Teen Corner  Click here 

Preteens

STEAM 101: Virtual Reality for Preteens

Tuesday, December 31, 2019 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm.  Experiment and explore new technologies. This session we'll be working with Virtual Reality. North County Regional, Makerspace Room A  Click here 

Children

Winter Festival

December 30, 2019  1 pm to 3 pm  Join us as we celebrate the new season with storytelling, literacy activities, music, treats and more for the entire family to enjoy. Beatties Ford Road  Click here 

New Year's Eve at Noon

December 31, 2019  1 pm – 3 pm. Cheers! Celebrate with the kids during an early New Year’s Eve at noon at several branch locations:

Cornelius   Click here

Morrison  Click here

Myers Park  Click here



Snowflakes

January 2. 2019 1 pm – 2 pm. The beautiful ice crystals we call snowflakes are a magnificent work of art created by nature. Learn all about these unique crystals and the man who photographed them, Snowflake Bentley. Ages 5-11. Mountain Island  Click here