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Welcome to Week 10 of Summer Break!

Summer Break may be Charlotte Mecklenburg Library’s summer learning program, but it wouldn’t be possible without the strong support we receive from our sponsors. We thank these sponsors for their support, which helps the Library improve lives and build a stronger community.

Summer Break got off to a sweet start thanks to Wendy’s! A coupon for a complimentary Jr. Frosty provided the perfect sign-up incentive for participants of all ages. Wendy’s has been a long-time sponsor of summer learning programs at Charlotte Mecklenburg Library. Thank you, Wendy’s, for your support of Summer Break!

New this year is the sponsor of our Spanish language translations, Norsan Media. Professional Spanish translation services were provided for all print Summer Break promotional material thanks to this sponsorship. Thank you, Norsan Media, for your support of Summer Break!

An important partner in all Library ventures is the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Foundation. Their support this year has been crucial in facilitating online programs reaching all populations – from children’s storytimes and programs for people with special needs to teen interview prep and outreach to the elderly. Thank you, Library Foundation, for contributing to the ongoing success of Summer Break!

Comments? Questions?

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

The 2021 Summer Break program is brought to you by Charlotte Mecklenburg Library.  Additional support comes from Wendy’s and the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Foundation with Spanish translations sponsored by Norsan Media.

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This blog was written by Larisa Martin, Summer Break team member for Charlotte Mecklenburg Library.

Programa de vacaciones de verano: ¡Gracias, patrocinadores!

¡Bienvenido a la semana 10 del programa de vacaciones de verano!

Este es un programa de aprendizaje de verano de la biblioteca Charlotte Mecklenburg, pero no sería posible llevarlo a cabo sin el sólido apoyo que recibimos de nuestros patrocinadores. Les agradecemos a estos patrocinadores por su apoyo, que permite que la biblioteca mejore vidas y ayude a construir una comunidad más sólida.

¡El programa de vacaciones de verano tuvo un dulce comienzo gracias a Wendy’s! Un cupón para un helado Jr. Frosty adicional es el incentivo de inscripción perfecto para participantes de todas las edades. Wendy’s ha sido patrocinador de programas de aprendizaje de verano de la biblioteca Charlotte Mecklenburg por mucho tiempo. ¡Gracias, Wendy’s, por tu apoyo al programa de vacaciones de verano!

Este año, incorporamos un nuevo patrocinador para nuestras traducciones al español: Norsan Media. Se ha prestado el servicio profesional de traducción al español para todo el material promocional impreso del programa de vacaciones de verano gracias a este patrocinio. ¡Gracias, Norsan Media, por tu apoyo al programa de vacaciones de verano!

Una socia importante de todas las sucursales de la biblioteca es la fundación de la biblioteca Charlotte Mecklenburg. Su apoyo este año ha sido fundamental para facilitar los programas en línea a todas las poblaciones: desde cuentos para niños y programas para personas con necesidades especiales hasta preparación de entrevistas para adolescentes y difusión para adultos mayores. ¡Gracias, fundación de la biblioteca, por contribuir al éxito continuo del programa de vacaciones de verano!

¿Tienes comentarios o preguntas?

¿Tienes problemas con el sitio web del programa de vacaciones de verano o con tu cuenta? ¿Tienes preguntas sobre el programa? No dudes en ir a tu biblioteca local para pedir ayuda o envíanos un correo electrónico a [email protected].

El programa de vacaciones de verano 2021 llega a ti gracias a la biblioteca Charlotte Mecklenburg.  Contamos con el respaldo adicional de Wendy’s y de la fundación de la biblioteca Charlotte Mecklenburg, con traducciones al español patrocinadas por Norsan Media.

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Este blog lo escribió Larisa Martin, miembro del equipo del programa de vacaciones de verano de la biblioteca Charlotte Mecklenburg.

This month the West Boulevard Library Teen Circular met with Ms. Rachel Gibbs. Ms. Gibbs is a financial literacy expert and entrepreneur who graciously uses her expertise to uplift her community. In this interview, Ms. Gibbs spoke openly about the importance of developing strong financial literacy skills and smart money tips that all teens should utilize. 

What exactly is a credit score? 

A credit score is a number that is assigned to you by a credit bureau. It is based on how well you pay your bills and if you pay them on time.

What is financial literacy, and why is it so important to learn?

Financial literacy is being able to understand how to budget your money. It is important because people need to know how to track their money and know how to spend it.

When do you think teens should start learning about financial literacy?

I started learning about financial literacy when I was seven. As you get older and navigate life, you start learning more about financial literacy. Still, it is never too early to know. Teens today are really at an advantage because there are so many resources available that can teach you how to efficiently budget your money and secure a healthy financial future.

Who taught you all about financial literacy?

My grandfather taught me all about financial literacy. My lessons started when I would roll up coins that my grandfather collected and gave to us. We would separate them, roll them, and take them to the bank to exchange them for money. He taught me how to save during that time because I would save half of what I earned rolling coins. That is where I began to develop my skills. When I went to college, I realized that many people didn’t have strong financial literacy skills so that is where I started to develop the passion for starting my business.

What advice do you have for teenagers right now?

My advice is to get an education. Getting an education is a necessary steppingstone in life and so is developing strong financial literacy skills. No matter what path you take, both are necessary to secure a successful future for yourself.

What is your advice to kids starting a business this summer? 

My advice is to pick something you love and do not do it for the money. If you do things that you naturally like to do, the money will start rolling in. Another thing that I would say is to take advantage of the resources that are around you. With all of the technology in the world, teens have so much access to learn new things and if you need help don’t hesitate to reach out to people in your community for support.

What are the three things you would say to a young adult going to college about having good financial health? 

The first thing that I would say is to DO NOT take out any refund checks. I did that in college, and that was one of the biggest mistakes I made. Refund checks are nothing but leftover loan money that they have. You are going to have to pay interest on that money. The second thing is to get a part-time job or a work-study program while in school. This will help you save up and pay for tuition. The last thing is to have a reasonable budget. I did not do this and I could have saved a lot more. Developing small healthy money habits while you are young will lead to big rewards later.

To find out more about Ms. Gibbs and the amazing work that she's doing in the community, please check out her website: https://www.gibbsfinancialfitness.com/

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This blog was written by Jordan Johnson, Teen Circular intern for West Boulevard Library

This blog was written as part of Charlotte Mecklenburg Library's Black Lives Matter program initiative. Learn  more about the program and corresponding events here.

A year ago, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library launched our Black Lives Matter program initiative in response to the critical need to address racial inequity in our community through learning, growing and communicating with others around us. Since its launch, this initiative has evolved in its offerings, growing from booklists, learning circles, and book clubs to include community panel discussions, author talks, storytimes, equity impact circles and so much more.  

Engagement from the community and from our Library team has been incredible to see. Library customers made the commitment to engage not only in single programs, but in ongoing work that requires people to be present and vulnerable. We heard stories from people who made real changes in the businesses they frequent or the words they use based on the things they learned in Library programs. Library staff members stepped up to tackle difficult conversations, plan new programs, and publish blogs that dive deep into both Library and community aspects of racial equity.  

We are a year into this initiative and the work is nowhere near done. Black Lives Matter programs will remain an integral part of our regular programming portfolio as we move forward. The Library will continue to identify ways to support the diverse people within our community through collections, programming, and services. While we work to meet these different needs, we will continue to tell Black stories and share opportunities for all to learn about Black lives and racial inequity. 

I would be remiss if I did not extend a thank you. Thank you to all who are willing to engage with us in this work. Thank you to everyone who presented with us, all who attended programs, and all who read and listened to new perspectives in this last year. Thank you to the many staff members who contributed so much effort to a difficult endeavor. Thank you, especially, to our two team leaders for the Black Lives Matter initiative: Jasmine McNeil and Chantez Neymoss. This is truly important work, and you are so appreciated.   

The Library’s mission is to improve lives and build a stronger community. Programs like Black Lives Matter help us build that stronger community by drawing people together, building community dialogue, working to ensure that every voice is present, and every life is valued. We cannot build that community alone, and we are proud to partner with others as we continue to move this work forward.  

View the first year Black Lives Matter program initiative recap video below:

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This blog was written by Caitlin Moen, library director and chief customer officer for Charlotte Mecklenburg Library.

This blog was written as part of Charlotte Mecklenburg Library's Black Lives Matter program initiative. Learn  more about the program and corresponding events here.

Historically, the Black Lives Matter movement has always seen a rise in student activism. Ever since the movement started in 2013 after the death of Trayvon Martin, students have formed branches of the movement to raise awareness with notable examples including the Black Lives Matter Youth Coalition and The Youth Vanguard. In 2016, fatal police encounters involving Alton Sterling and Philando Castile caused an eruption of protests, and during this time, a spike in student activism in matters related to racial justice occurred. Later, in 2020 following the death of George Floyd, student activism reached levels that hadn’t been seen since the 2016 Black Lives Matter protests. However, student activism regarding racial justice can be traced to events preceding the Black Lives Matter movement to the beginnings of the civil rights movement.

In 1925, students at Fisk University protested for ten weeks to speak out against the school president who had refused to start a chapter of the NAACP. In 1940, nearly 2000 students protested New York University after pulling a Black player from the football roster. These two events spurred a series of student-led protests regarding civil rights in the ’60s. In 1960, four Black students organized the Greensboro sit-ins, which continued for six months. Similar actions also took place during the Brown vs. Board Supreme Court Case wherein students protested in favor of school integration. In 1963, one of the most significant civil rights actions in history took place. Nearly 250,000 students staged a boycott in Chicago protesting segregation in schools. Of those involved, 20,000 students marched to the Chicago Board of Education demanding equal resources for Black children. During the following year, in 1964, 450,000 Black and Puerto-Rican students refused to attend school for a day, boycotting racial imbalance and lobbying in public schools. Although the movement failed in forcing the school board to take immediate reform, it remained one of the largest demonstrations of the civil rights movement and eventually put an end to de facto segregation.

Nearly 50 years later, student activism plays a large part in racial justice initiatives and Black Lives Matter. Student-led groups such as the Youth in Chicago Education (VOYCE) were formed to create a youth alliance surrounding issues such as equal education and racism. In 2015, the Illinois Senate passed a VOYCE Senate Bill regarding school discipline practices, eliminating zero-tolerance punishment, minimizing suspension and expulsion and more. Furthermore, many students have been calling attention to racist environments in school and college campuses in the wake of the Black Lives Matter movement. School newspapers have been created to inform peers about racial injustices on campus and nationwide. By spreading information about inequality, students have organized protests with over 1,000 students and speak with large news organizations about their goals for justice.

With youth activism being on the rise, they are not without critics. Many adults struggle to see younger activists as equals, claiming that their lack of experience makes them less impactful. Despite such setbacks, young activists and students have played an important part throughout history in racial justice initiatives. The number of groups and protests created by youth continues to increase. In modern days, youth activists have cultivated mass followings on social media, calling attention to racism and police brutality and creating events to help victims of such situations. With their knowledge of technology, social media, and the historical legacy of the civil rights movement, student activism continues to be at the forefront of the Black Lives Matter movement.

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This blog was written by Medha Kowndinya, a sixteen-year-old rising Junior at Ardrey Kell High school.

This blog was written as part of Charlotte Mecklenburg Library's Black Lives Matter program initiative. Learn  more about the program and corresponding events here.

The National Black Child Development Institute (NCBDI) is a nonprofit organization that works to advance and improve the quality of life for Black and Brown children and their families. NCBDI has been committed to its mission: “to improve and advance the quality of life for Black and Brown children and families through education and advocacy” for 50 years. NBCDI’s Charlotte affiliate, BCDI Charlotte, is one of the twenty-seven affiliates organizations in the United States.

The six focus areas of BCDI are:

• Family Engagement
• Literacy
• Early Childhood Education
• Policy and Advocacy
• Health and Wellness

Did you know that children could be suspended or even expelled as early as preschool? These events can have adverse effects on a child’s future that can last far beyond the time spent out of school.

One tenet of NBCDI is advocating to secure equitable access to education for all young children by eliminating suspensions and expulsions during early childhood. NBCDI authored a white paper, “Delivering on the Promise of Effective Early Childhood Education” which explores the rising rates of suspensions and expulsions in early childhood education. The white paper prompted a national campaign to address this alarming trend. Being suspended and/or expelled are both recognized as forms of structural racism which becomes obvious when one explores how these “consequences” are applied to young children. According to their research, more than 250 preschoolers are suspended or expelled daily, and in childcare centers, expulsion rates are 13 times higher than they are in kindergarten through 12th grade. Black children disproportionately experience widespread injustice and racial inequality in our early childhood education system.

BCDI Charlotte launched its awareness campaign on January 1, 2021. Through a matrix of virtual info sessions, parking lot talks and canvassing efforts using social and conventional media, BCDI is capturing the attention of lawmakers, teachers, parents, community leaders, clergy, education practitioners and collective nonprofit organizations who are understanding the importance of this work.

This month, BCDI will partner with Charlotte Mecklenburg Library to continue to promote awareness and to expand its programming reach. Join us on Thursday, June 10, 2021, at 6:30 p.m. for a panel discussion to learn how you can help prevent suspension and expulsion in early childhood.

Register

Featured panelists include:

• Dr. Devonya Govan-Hunt: President of BCDI-Charlotte
• Kenneth Flamer: BCDI-Charlotte Board Member
• Gregory "Dee" Rankin: Founder/Executive Director of Future L.E.A.D.E.R.S.
• Cemeré James: Interim President & CEO of NBCDI and Author of Delivering on the Promise

BCDI supports its mission by providing strength-based, culturally relevant, and evidence-based programs throughout the community. At the center of BCDI’s work, is the commitment to ensure inclusivity and equity as it relates to quality care and education for children.

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This blog was written by Alesha Lackey, children's services manager at Allegra Westbrooks Regional Library

This blog was written as part of Charlotte Mecklenburg Library's Black Lives Matter program initiative. Learn  more about the program and corresponding events here.

Since the death of George Floyd, all Americans have been waking up to the reality of the police brutality that Black Americans experience. There have been thousands of protests, demanding change all over the world, including those here in Charlotte. Since last May, artist Sabrina Robinson has been taking photos of Black Lives Matter speeches and protests. Jordan Anne Johnson, a volunteer writer for West Boulevard Library’s Teen Circular had the opportunity to interview Sabrina whom shared her experience and thoughts about the protests she has attended.

Jordan: How did you become a photographer?

Sabrina: I started taking photos in church as a hobby. It became fun for me and I started studying it in college, but it never occurred to me to think about being a photographer as a profession. It only got serious when I met a Washington Post photographer. He took me under his wing, and I really started thinking about photography as a career.

Jordan: What do you remember seeing at every protest?

Sabrina: I remember seeing passion at every protest. There were all kinds of people from unique demographics, backgrounds, social and economic status, etc. participating and cheering for the same thing. I saw skaters, bikers, photographers, people playing basketball, speech givers, everyone had such a passionate role that they took seriously in the movement. I can only describe it as passion.

Jordan: What is one word you would use to describe the experience of the protest?

Sabrina: The first word that comes to my mind is "Unique”. I have seen popular organizations like the NAACP organize protests with lots of people. But I have also seen what it is like when a small group of young people get together wondering what to do. The smaller ones are the most intriguing to me because you must motivate and inspire yourself a bit more than if you were surrounded by hundreds of people.

Jordan: Were the protests different from the way the news described them? If yes, how were they different?

Sabrina: The protests that I went to were different than the way that the news described them. The news makes it seem more dramatic, negative and does not tell everyone's story. Being a photographer, I can tell everyone's story and different points of view.

Jordan: What is one thing that you learned from the speeches that were made at the protests?

Sabrina: I learned a lot of things from the protest and speeches that I went to. One of the things that I did learn is what defund the police really means and how most of Charlotte city funding goes to the CMPD for rubber bullets, illegal teargas and militarized police.

Image Source: The photos used were captured by artist Sabrina Robinson and were provided by her with permission to use in this blog post.

Sabrina Robinson is an accomplished artist who uses multiple mediums, such as photography and graphic arts, to tell stories, bring awareness and normalcy to conversations around activism, civic and social change, and mental health. In her current role, Sabrina continues to use art to give voice and agency to her community by capturing various events around Charlotte like protests, frontline workers, and displaced families and channeling it into programs that provide insight, depth, and encouragement to audiences in hopes that they use their gift to amplify their voice. More of Ms. Robinson's work can be found on her Instagram page: @signedspkr.

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This blog was written by twelve-year-old Jordan Anne Johnson, a volunteer writer for West Boulevard Library’s Teen Circular. Link to the full publication: https://bit.ly/3nMNqof

Charlotte Mecklenburg Library encourages reading and learning all year long. The summer months, when students take a break from school, are critical to expanded learning. In fact, summertime poses the most academic risk because students without access to summer learning opportunities can fall behind their peers, creating an achievement gap that is hard to close.

To keep kids on track with important matters such as literacy and physical activity, the Library offers Summer Break, its annual summer learning program that encourages children to read, learn and explore.

Learn more about Summer Break at the Library

As part of Charlotte Mecklenburg Library’s Summer Break, Stories of Summer are online live programs for the whole family to learn, move, and have fun. From Japanese Folktales to Mad Science experiments to Zoo Animals, we have all the summer educational excitement and movement planned for 9 weeks of Summer!

Join us on Thursdays at 2 p.m. EST on our ImaginOn Facebook Page starting June 10 for the Stories and Fun as we kick off summer 2021 with Sigmond Theatre!

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This blog was written by Jesse Isley, children's services leader for Charlotte Mecklenburg Library.

Participate in Habitat Charlotte Region’s Women Build movement by joining our first book club in partnership with the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library.

We have selected The Three Mothers: How the Mothers of Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, and James Baldwin Shaped a Nation in which writer and scholar Anna Malaika Tubbs celebrates Black motherhood by telling the story of the three women who raised and shaped some of America's most pivotal heroes.

Check out the book here

The virtual book discussion will take place from 6-7 p.m. over a series of three Thursday evenings:

• Thursday, June 24 at 6 p.m. Register here
• Thursday, July 22 at 6 p.m. Register here
• Thursday, August 26 at 6 p.m. Register here

We encourage you to sign up for all three so you don’t miss any of the wonderful discussion that is sure to take place.

Once you register for a session, you will receive a Zoom link to join the program via email just before the event date. If you have any questions, please reach out to [email protected].

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This blog was written by Chantez Neymoss, adult services leader for Charlotte Mecklenburg Library

Did you know that there are now three gardens at Myers Park Library? Branch volunteers have lovingly maintained the gardens for over a decade and their support inspired their restoration and expansion.   

The original garden, known as the McKnight Reading Garden was created after the branch renovation in 2008. It was named in memory of library benefactor Mrs. Gayle McKnight and was designed by (then) student Murray Corbett, a project which earned her the Girl Scout Gold Award. 

In 2015, Myers Park Library Services Specialist, Laura Cavette, and volunteer, Mary Lee created the branch's Children’s Garden.   

 While the Library was in Level I of the re-opening plan during the COVID-19 closure, Library staff were sitting outside greeting customers. As they looked around, they thought of expanding the existing garden space to allow for more seating to read, paint, sketch and enjoy nature. 

A plan was developed to update and expand the gardens.  The goal was to create a sustainable, environmentally friendly habitat that encourages Library use, volunteerism, exploration and inspires learning. Currently, the new garden is referred to as The Pollinator Garden and has been registered as an official stop on the NC Butterfly Highway. The Pollinator Garden will be dedicated to the memory of the late Doris Ann Bradley who passed away in November 2020. Doris Ann was a former Librarian and was one of the branch's beloved volunteers. She was instrumental in the creation of the garden and put forth many of the garden’s goals.    

While the gardens are a work in progress, it is used as a learning garden or demonstration garden. They are designed to be an outdoor teaching and learning area on topics such as horticulture, the natural environment and land water or wildlife conservation. It provides the perfect accommodation for groups like our community partner Mecklenburg Extension Master Gardener Volunteers to conduct on-site learning and education.  

The Read to Seed Garden series is a spin-off from the in-person program that was conducted by Matthews Library.  Read to Seed - Gardening with the Myers Park Library Garden Club is a gathering where guests can learn about environmentally-friendly gardening practices from experienced gardeners. Here one can share their gardening experiences, ask questions and discuss their favorite books or other media about gardens and gardening.   

Read to Seed welcomes all gardeners – from beginner to experienced. Come learn something new and create something wonderful in your garden. 

Join us for the next upcoming 3 events in the series: 

Monday, June 28 at 12 p.m.-1 p.m. 

Master Gardener Margaret Genkins - virtual presentation of Blooms, Bees, and Birds 

Native plants that create healthy, beautiful Carolina gardens that host and attract birds and pollinators. 

Margaret Genkins is an Emeritus Extension Master Gardener Volunteer with Mecklenburg County, NC. Her passion for gardening, nature, and ecology is anchored in over 30 years of gardening on 2 acres in south Charlotte and in her ongoing pursuit of horticulture and ecology education such as completing the Native Plant Studies Program at UNCC. Margaret's approach to gardening education is focused on simple, effective gardening and environmental stewardship practices to help each of us create healthy, beautiful gardens and green spaces that enhance and support our local ecosystems. Register here. 

Monday, August 9 at 12 p.m.-1 p.m. 

Master Gardener Margaret Genkins - virtual presentation of Native Secrets for Your Shady Garden 

Tips and techniques for gardening in the shade with a selection of shade-loving Carolina native plants. Register here. 

Monday, August 23 at 12 p.m. - 1 p.m. 

Dr. Larry Mellichamp, author of The Southeast Native Plant Primer, presenting Gardening in Charlotte Year-round 

Those of you who are relatively new to Charlotte may not know what a great place it is to garden: mild winters, long spring and fall; geographically close to mountains and coast; near several public gardens and good nurseries. You may also not be aware of our problems: hot, humid summers with high night temperatures; lots of red clay soil; variable rainfall. This talk will introduce gardeners to these factors and offer insight and solutions including specific plants for the four seasons of Charlotte gardening. And you can ask lots of questions. 

Dr. Larry Mellichamp is a retired Professor of Botany and Horticulture and was director of the Botanical Gardens at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Larry is a world traveler and expert on native plants of all kinds. He has received several teaching awards and written several books, including the recent Native Plants of the Southeast…the best species for the garden (Timber Press, 2014); and Bizarre Botanicals (2010) and The Southeast Native Plant Primer (2020) with Paula Gross. He is the 2016 recipient of the Tom Dodd, Jr. Plantsman Award of Excellence from the Cullowhee Native Plant Conference. He gardens at home in Charlotte where he lives with his wife Audrey. Register here. 

Tiff Massey is a visionary creative who expresses herself through large-scale and wearable sculptures, music and performance.

But before she creates a permanent expression for Charlotte-Mecklenburg residents, visitors and especially library patrons to enjoy, she wants to hear from you.

The award-winning interdisciplinary artist will talk about her creative practice and process and engage in a conversation that will inform her concept for Charlotte Mecklenburg Library’s new Main Library branch at a virtual Community Engagement Meeting hosted by the Arts & Science Council (ASC) from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Monday, June 14.

Click here - Advance registration is needed to participate in the free event.

Massey is a 2021 United States Artists Fellow, as well as a 2015 Kresge Arts in Detroit Fellowship awardee and a two-time John S. and James L. Knight Foundation’s Knight Arts Challenge winner. She holds an MFA in metalsmithing from Cranbrook Academy of Art and creates work inspired by African standards of economic vitality.

Influenced by the iconic material culture of 1980s hip-hop, Massey uses contemporary observances of class and race through the lens of an African Diaspora, combined with inspiration drawn from her experience in Detroit.

“How does the context and placement of an object influence an individual’s perception of self?” Massey said in her artist statement. “The work first seduces the viewer, creating a desire to take, touch, and activate.”

She will create an impactful artwork that responds to the parameters, aesthetics and themes of the new Main Library, which will be located at the existing Main Library location in Uptown Charlotte. You can learn more about the plans for the new Main Library here.

Funding for the public art is in accordance with Mecklenburg County’s Public Art Ordinance, which allocates one percent of the total construction budgets for eligible capital projects for public art. ASC manages the public art programs for the county and the City of Charlotte.

This blog was written by Bernie Petit, communications manager with the Arts & Science Council.