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Meck Deck Parade in the 1920s. Held every year on the 20th of May, the celebration of the Mecklenburg Declaration preceded the importance of the Declaration of Independence.

Happy Independence Day from Charlotte, NC!

July 1, 2019

For many Americans, July 4 is synonymous with Independence Day. However, in one North Carolina county, Independence Day comes early, on May 20 to be exact.

Beginning in 1825, the residents of Mecklenburg County celebrated the writing and signing of the Mecklenburg Declaration which supposedly took place on May 20, 1775, a full year before the more famous Declaration of Independence. Over the next century, May 20 was the time when residents set off countless fireworks, dined at celebratory dinners at churches, civic organizations and fraternities, held picnics, conducted parades as well as patriotic pageants and hosted dignitaries, including four United States Presidents.

By the time July 4 came around, there was very little enthusiasm to organize and prepare for another massive celebration. Except for the occasional private affairs and individual public drunkenness, most Charlotteans celebrated the day either quietly in their homes or traveled to nearby towns where the activities were in great abundance. This continued for almost 125 years.

During World War II, local officials began to encourage citizens to organize events to celebrate the fourth of July. In 1949, under the leadership of the local chapter of Disabled American Veterans, Charlotte held its first American Independence Day parade. 5,000 people filled the street to watch the Plato Price High School Marching Band and cheered when they played “Stars and Stripes Forever.” Also, in attendance were members of the 504^th Airborne, veterans from the Spanish American War, members of a local cavalry club to honor World War I Veterans, and several trained goats. Twelve planes from the Air National Guard flew high over the city in special formation. Former WWI nurse and “DAV Sweetheart, Minnie Gwaltney was also honored for her continued care of veterans. Thus, began a new tradition in Charlotte.

For more information about Mecklenburg Independence Day celebrations, see: https://www.cmstory.org/exhibits/mecklenburg-declaration-independence/mecklenburg-declaration-independence

Picture of July parade from the July 5, 1950 Charlotte Observer.

Library customers browse the 2018 Big Book Sale at Independence Regional

Big plans for a big sale

August 6, 2019

They call it “The Huge One.”

Most Charlotte Mecklenburg Library locations have a small selection of books for sale year-round. But once a year, Independence Regional Library holds a sale worthy of a special trip. The Big Book Sale began in 2016 and it’s grown exponentially every year since – this year it will take over the Library’s lobby for four days: Wednesday, August 21, 2019 through Saturday, August 24, 2019.

Why buy books where you can borrow them for free? Library staff member Helaine Kranz explains: “People are looking for something special. Some are teachers or parents, building a classroom or home library. Others are collectors, looking for an unexpected treasure. One customer found a vinyl record she’d been searching for, another purchased a signed copy of Jimmy Carter’s autobiography. It’s the Library version of Pawn Stars – you never know what you’ll find!”

Library staff collects books, records, CDs, VHS tapes and DVDs for the sale all year – many are donated by patrons or “weeded” from the Library’s collection, and staff put aside antique, signed, or rare books for a special collections table. Most materials will sell for under $1, with specialty items priced accordingly.

Revenue from the Big Book Sale – and all book sales – support the whole Library system. Together with other branch revenue like fines and fees, book sale proceeds support systemwide needs like maintenance, training and travel, marketing and professional development.

Kranz beams as she reflects: “Customers really look forward to this, and it’s so satisfying for us to see people find an item with special meaning for them. The Big Sale brings us all joy.”

And that’s huge.

A Summer Break activity with the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library.

Summer Break begins to wrap up

August 9, 2019

Another summer has flown by. School supply shopping has begun, vacations are winding down and another Summer Break program is about to end.

Remember that Saturday, August 10 is the last day that you can enter reading time or activities in your log. Participants will have until Saturday, August 17 to pick up their milestone incentives – while supplies last. As a reminder, the incentives are as follows: 

Wendy’s Jr. Frosty Coupons (earned at Sign-up)

Fine Waiver cards (earned at Sign-up, 10 hours, 15 hours, and 20 hours of reading) 
Summer Break Completion incentive (Babies/children: a book; Teens: choice of a book or a Library drawstring bag; Adults: a Library magnet or notebook.)

Some participants may noticed they have earned a “Giving Makes the World Go Round" badge. Participants earn this badge when they reach 25 hours of reading. Every summer, the library gives back to the community by donating books to a local organization in need. This year’s recipient will be Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools. Charlotte Mecklenburg Library is happy to donate to CMS and we are thankful the school system will accept the contributions.  

Thank you for participating in Summer Break! We hope you’ve had fun reading and learning all summer long. We’ll see you again next summer!! 

Stay connected while staying home with virtual programming from the Library.

Virtual Programming from the Library - Week of 7/20/20

July 15, 2020

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 7/20/2020 below. Click the corresponding links for more information and register for programs where applicable.

Learn more about online programming by clicking here

Monday 7/20

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

Tuesday 7/21

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

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) register

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

Road to Medicare – 1 p.m. (Adult programming) register

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

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

Active Reading Training for Caregivers of 2-5 Year Olds – 2 p.m. (Children's 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

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

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

Wednesday 7/22

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

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

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

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

Effective LinkedIn Strategies – 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

Engage 2020: 21-Day Racial Equity and Social Justice Challenge – 6 p.m. (Adult programming) register

Teens LIVE: Summer Break Felt Pens – 6 p.m (Teen programming) learn more

Thursday 7/23