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.

When was the last time you practiced self-care by taking the time to care for your mental and physical health, not just buying things that make you feel good? While there is nothing wrong with quality retail therapy there are just some things that money cannot buy. 2020 was a whirlwind of a year, 2021 has held no punches this far and it seems like the world doesn't stop. It’s at this time that you take active steps to make sure the one thing you can control – even to a small degree – is safe: your mental health.

I’m sure you’ve heard that you should apply your oxygen mask before helping others in the event of an emergency on a plane. In the same way, you cannot help someone else if you can’t help yourself, and in the Black family dynamic, this is heavily underlined. The collective trauma of COVID and the loss of life – however it may be – can be a lot to process for adults and growing minds of children and teens. There are questions you don’t know the answers to that you might not have the capacity to answer.

In any case, it’s essential to find things you enjoy doing. Allow yourself to feel the emotions you’re feeling and pay attention to them. Create boundaries for yourself and how you interact with others, and in doing so, try to focus on your coping mechanisms and your social media intake.

A good rule of thumb is to ask yourself questions like:

• "Do I need a break?"
• "Do I need to have this conversation?"
• "Do I want to do this right now?"

Treat yourself with care, not as an emergency response, but as a daily way of living. In this time of constant change, you are your best constant. Suppose you need guidance in finding methods of self-care amid the state of the world. In that case, the Library offers programming that focuses on the self-preservation of people of color.

Join the Library for a special self-care Facebook Live event called “The Nuances and Need of Self-Care for People of Color” on Thursday, September 9, at 6 p.m. to engage in an intimate discussion about self-care, the importance of developing a routine that is beneficial for your health & wellness and how to psychologically manage in these unprecedented times.

Register

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This blog was written by Ellie Howie, a library associate at ImaginOn: the Joe and Joan Martin Center.

Changes to OverDrive/Libby Collections
Over the next week or so, you may see some discrepancies between our library catalog in Bibliocommons and our OverDrive/Libby content. We recently lost access to a collection of digital audiobook content from the publisher Recorded Books on our OverDrive/Libby resource. The good news is some of this content is available in our hoopla resource and you still have access to it there. Unfortunately, some of the content we may not be able to continue to make available.

The Library is working diligently to get your library catalog as accurate and up-to-date as possible.  In the meantime, please check the OverDrive/Libby site or Libby app for the most accurate collections search.

Hoopla is a popular platform for many Library customers, which allows a no-wait checkout of up to six (6) items monthly. Hoopla checkouts reset the first day of each month. If you find yourself out of checkouts in hoopla, favorite the title you want to check out (click the heart icon) and, when checkouts reset, you can easily find it again. At this time, we are unable to increase the number of checkouts for our customers, but we will continue to work hard to bring our community the materials to meet your informational and recreational needs.

We are so sorry for the inconvenience this has caused and appreciate your patience.

Flowers play an important role in life. Many, if not all, of us have sweet memories of the bright red roses on your grandmother’s dinner table, the dried peony pressed in an ancestor’s diary, or the radiant orchids your spouse gives you every Valentine’s Day.

Our community has a rich floral history, particularly in Cornelius, which was once the home of gardener Hugh Roy Smith. Smith firmly believed that flowers positively impacted the morale of the people, so he dedicated his life and career to doing just that.

Hugh Roy Smith (1908-1979) grew up with a love of flowers and gardening. As a student in high school, Smith won a contest for growing the “nicest chrysanthemum,” which led to growing his interest in horticulture. After graduating from Cornelius High School in 1926, he attended Davidson College for one year, followed by pursuing his bachelors at North Carolina State College in the School of Agriculture. Upon graduation in 1932, he earned a position at the Lindley Nurseries in the propagation and landscape departments.

Original building for Smith’s Flowers and Nurseries

 

Aerial view of Smith’s Flowers and Nurseries

He opened his first business, Cornelius Floral Gardens, in 1933. The business later became known as Smith’s Flowers and Nurseries, Inc., and it remained open until his retirement in 1975. In 1936, he built an addition to one greenhouse and built two others, bringing the total greenhouse space approximately 7,000 square feet. Each greenhouse was steam heated and temperature controlled. His greenhouses were viewed as some of the most modern in the state of North Carolina.

Pottery Department at Smith’s Flowers in Moorseville, NC

Rosie Smith at the new show room opening event, c1960

Throughout his career, he grew and sold flowers through his shops in Cornelius and Mooresville and provided floral arrangements for weddings and pageants. He firmly believed that “flowers do something for the morale of the people,” especially since in 1933 at the time of his business’ opening, the country was coming out of the Great Depression. His son, Roy, Jr., owned and operated Smith’s Wholesale Nurseries. Smith worked with him in his retirement while also pursuing private consulting contracts.

Southern Living Show, Smith Garden, First Place

Smith’s work became nationally known through his participation in Southern Living Show exhibits where he created award-winning displays. For three years, the Smith Garden was voted First Place by popular vote. In 1966, he won the Sylvia Award from the American Society of Florists, as well as the Community Leader of America Award in 1969. He was famously known as the “Rhododendron King."

Hugh Roy Smith (left) receiving the Sylvia Award, 1966

In addition to his work, Smith was active in his community as a chairman of the Cornelius Beautification Committee and as a trustee for the Mt. Zion United Methodist Church. As a charter member of the Lions Club, he helped to beautify the town and placed “Welcome Cornelius” signs around the community in the late 1960s. He participated in various floral associations and societies—he was elected President of the North Carolina State Florists’ Association in 1954 and elected to the American Academy of Florists in 1966.

Mrs. Rachel Hucks, Bookkeeper, at the new show room opening event, c1960

After his death, the Hugh Roy Smith memorial garden was erected in his honor. It was located on the east side of Highway 115 in the heart of Cornelius.

Want to learn more about gardening? Take a look at some of our other gardening collections on ArchivesSpace, or make an appointment to come view the Hugh Roy Smith Collection in the Robinson-Spangler Carolina Room.

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This blog was written by Sydney Carroll, archivist in the Robinson-Spangler Carolina Room at Charlotte Mecklenburg Library

This year, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library is proud to celebrate the American Library Association’s Banned Book Week with our Freedom to Read Week. This year's annual celebration will be held September 26-October 2, 2021 and will include programming for all ages that spotlight current and historical attempts to censor books in libraries and schools.

Register an event (or two) and join us in celebrating our freedom to read!

Banned Book Week Trivia (Online)
Monday, September 27, 2021, at 6 p.m.

Calling all fans of controversial reads! Come join us for an hour of online trivia as we celebrate Freedom to Read Week! Test your knowledge of banned and challenged books.

You can have as many participants on your team as you like, but only one person will share responses per team. Only 10 "teams" may register.

This program will be provided by Mint Hill library staff and is recommended for teens and adults. Register here.
 

Banned Books Week: Make-and-Take a Tote (Outdoor)
SouthPark Regional Library
Monday, September 27, 2021, at 6 p.m.

Make-and-take your own "Banned Books" tote bag using screen printing materials. Celebrate your intellectual freedom by engaging in fun literacy activities.  Suitable for all ages, (recommended that children participating are age 7 and up.)  Registration opens at 9 a.m. on September 13.

This event will be held outside.

Banned Book Week Digital Escape Room (Online)
Tuesday, September 28, 2021, at 4 p.m.

Compete against others in a digital escape room. Who will escape first?

This program will be provided by [branch name] library staff and is recommended for teens ages 12 to 18. Register here.

Banned Book Week Teen Trivia (Online)
Tuesday, September 28, 2021, at 4 p.m.

Test your knowledge of banned and challenged books. Winners of our virtual trivia will win a prize kit, which will be available at North County Regional Library!

This program will be provided by North County Regional library staff, and is recommended for teens ages 13 to 18. Register here.

Banned Book Week: Teen Bingo (Online)
Tuesday, September 28, 2021 at 6 p.m.

Join us for an hour of virtual bingo! Test your knowledge of banned and challenged books. Winners of our virtual bingo will take home a prize kit, which will be available at Sugar Creek Library*!

This program will be provided by Sugar Creek library staff and is recommended for teens ages 13 to 18. Register here.

*Bingo kits are available for pick up at the Sugar Creek Library.

Banned Books Bingo (Online)
Wednesday, September 29, at 2 p.m.

What do the Harry Potter series, Captain Underpants, A Wrinkle in Time, and the Goosebumps series all have in common? They are on the top list of the most frequently banned books in America. We'll discuss book banning and the dangers of censorship for upper elementary schoolers.

Automatically generated Bingo cards will be emailed to the address on file 24 hours in advance of the event, so please be prepared to print or copy. Bingo winners will receive a free chapter book from a collection of select popular titles, courtesy of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library. This program will be provided by ImaginOn Library staff.

Register here.

Banned Books Week Kahoot! Trivia
Wednesday September 29, 2021, at 6 p.m.

Join us for Trivia Night using Kahoot! Learn some new fun facts or show off how much you know on your own.
Learn more (and brush up on some useful info!) at Banned Books Week.

Register here.

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This blog was written by Taylor Gantt, marketing & communications intern at Charlotte Mecklenburg Library.

Charlotte Mecklenburg Library is excited to announce our newest resource, Black Life in America. Black Life in America is a unique digital archive covering the African American experience from the early 18th century to the present day. This primary source collection offers a window into centuries of African American history, culture, and daily life from more than 19,000 American and global newspapers including over 400 current and historical Black publications. Updated daily, Black Life in America provides critical perspectives on the experiences of being Black in America. 

Black Life in America provides full text searching as well as access to content organized by era for easy browsing or choose from nearly 800 suggested searches such as "Emancipation Proclamation," "Brown v. Board of Education," and "Black Lives Matter."  This video gives a detailed overview of how to use Black Life in America.

Black Life in America supports discussions and research around social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion. It also illustrates the significant impacts African Americans have had on culture, the arts, sciences, politics, religion, and more.

Black Life in America can be found on Charlotte Mecklenburg Library’s Resources page.  Access all the Library’s resources for free with your library card. Don’t have one? Sign up here! If you need help, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library staff are available by email, chat, and phone.   

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This blog was written by Amy Richard, digital collections coordinator at Charlotte Mecklenburg Library.

As both a Charlotte Mecklenburg Library employee and customer, I’ve always known how valuable the Library is to me. Over the years, I have borrowed countless books, attended plenty of Saturday morning storytimes with my children and furthered my own learning through the amazing online resources available.

Thanks to the value calculator that the Library has made available, I was recently able to place a monetary amount on the many resources and services I have received from the Library and it is staggering. I have saved an estimated $46,915 (and counting) by using Charlotte Mecklenburg Library!

I have checked out close to 3,000 books from the Library- a number I know because it is stored in my borrower record. But that is just physical books and does not include the items I’ve checked out using Hoopla, Overdrive, and NC Digital Kids, which I use regularly. I also use Kanopy for watching animated videos of their favorite books with my children, LinkedIn Learning for my own professional development and the list goes on.

As far as the incredible programs that the Library offers, any parent of a young child knows there’s no monetary value you can place on attending Family Storytime on a rainy morning! The Library has always been a destination for my family, whether it is for storytime or a special event like EpicFest, a family literary festival held in the fall.

Since the onset of the pandemic, the Library has helped me feel connected at times when the prevailing tone in our world was one of isolation and disconnection. The Library’s quick shift to online programming made it possible for me to tune in to guest lecturers, activists and artists through the Library’s Engage 2020 initiative last year.

Charlotte Mecklenburg Library is constantly adapting to meet our needs as users, whether it is through virtual programming, increased access to technology for community members who need it most, job help resources, parent education and more.

September is Library Card Sign-Up Month. If you don’t already have a library card, I encourage you to get one and see how much value it will add to your life — you will be astounded!

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

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This blog was written by Walker Doermann, librarian at SouthPark Regional Library

“The vote is precious. It is the most powerful, non-violent tool we have in a democratic society, and we must use it.”

That statement came from the late John Robert Lewis and can be attributed as one of his life’s missions. For years, Blacks in Southern states encountered obstacles to vote including poll taxes, literacy tests, intimidation and even violence. As a young man in 1965, Lewis helped lead the student protest march from Selma, Alabama for Black voting rights. The march became particularly newsworthy because the participants were attacked by state troopers while being filmed for television – the attack later became known as “Bloody Sunday.” Lewis was among the injured. Months later, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act of 1965, new legislation to prohibit racial discrimination in voting.

The significance of voting took a different turn in Lewis’s life as he successfully entered politics. The civil rights activist served in the House of Representatives for the 5th congressional district in Georgia from 1987 until he died in 2020. The statesman and Democrat held several leadership roles in his party and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011 from President Barack Obama.       

Today, Lewis’s life and name are making a full circle in the fight for the vote for African-Americans. A new proposed bill to booster the 1965 Voting Rights Act is the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2021.

And so, the question may be asked, is history repeating itself here?

Many supporters of the new bill would say the answer is “yes.” In a National Public Radio podcast about the Voting Rights Act of 1965, it reported in 2013 that two Supreme Court decisions weakened it. The Shelby County v. Holder verdict “derailed the Justice Department’s system for preapproving election changes in jurisdictions with a history of discrimination, putting a heavy burden on the federal government to identify any such changes and sue to prevent them from taking effect.” So, states could pass new restrictions on voting.

The second case in Brnovich v. Democratic National Committee impeded the Justice Department further by weakening legal authority to challenge voting laws that discriminate based on race, color and language minority status. Therefore, states were enabled to “raise concerns about voter fraud to justify their election changes without having to prove any such fraud existed.”

According to the Brennan Center for Justice in 2021 alone, 18 states have enacted laws to make voting more difficult. That contrasts to 25 states expanding with 54 voting laws, but the South is well-presented in the first part of the study (not the Carolinas, though).

The public and Congress are following this issue with some interest. USA Today reported that thousands of engaged citizens had joined in marking the 58th anniversary of the March on Washington to demonstrate voting rights on August 28 in select cities. Along with the bill named for Lewis was another proposed voting rights bill to accompany it, the For the People Act, which includes expanding opportunities to register and vote. Regarding Congress in this process, the Democrats in the House have supported the bills but need Republican support in the Senate. That appears dubious, although this fight has always been tough.

To explore the background for this issue, visit this booklist of Library books and streaming videos.  

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This blog was written by Lawrence Turner, librarian at South County Regional.

Step into the Independence Regional Library and discover a unique and beautiful space with a team of people ready and willing to serve their community. Independence Regional is nestled on a triangular, park-like setting at the corner of Monroe Road and Conference Drive (just south of Independence Boulevard). The exterior stucco building with its fading mustard yellow hue may not attract your attention. More than likely, it’ll make you look away. But don’t be fooled into thinking there’s nothing here to see, because what you’ll encounter inside could possibly be the best part of your day.

A bit of history tells us that Independence Regional opened its doors in the store-front shopping center on Independence Blvd. in 1974. Then in 1996, the library was moved to its current location. The building was originally a church depository and so, underwent extensive remodeling for a beautiful, and spacious new location!

The grand entrance at Independence is like no other Charlotte Mecklenburg Library location. The rotunda should not be overlooked, although some people may do so in their haste. Walk just a few steps in to the center and turn your eyes skyward to a spectacular dome. Surrounded by windows and suspended by thin metal strands is an Artichoke chandelier inspired by Danish designer Poul Henningsen. Continue to the right and encounter several more distinct beams of light (these are called Snowballs). Two North Carolina artists adorned one long section of wall space with an eye-catching nature scene using clay tiles as a backdrop. They magically blend with the view outside the windows. Take a minute to study them closely. The details will transport you back outdoors. During a quiet lull, our tin roof offers a crackling sound as if to say “welcome!”



In each wing of the library, there are statuesque white columns giving it the southern charm synonymous with this region. Do you know of any other Library locations with these bragging rights?  It’s one of the eastside’s hidden gems. We are the Independence Regional Library!

Last but certainly not least, are the people who make Independence Regional phenomenal. They are the bonus to your visit. They’re a diverse group of individuals with many passions and interests. They all come from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds which makes for interesting conversations. But most important is their common connections and desire to help any person who walks through the doors. They listen to your questions and help with the answers.

You’re cordially invited to drop by the Independence Regional Library for an amazing experience.

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This blog was written by Alice Araiza, library assistant at Charlotte Mecklenburg Library's Independence Regional Library.

October is National Cookbook Month, and we want to inspire you to check out a new cookbook and try a new recipe. Today, many people look for new recipes on digital platforms like Pinterest or social media sites. How many of you have gotten sucked into watching recipe videos on Instagram or TikTok? I know I have!  And while that can be a great way to find new recipes or get ideas, we want to remind you that Charlotte Mecklenburg Library has TONS of cookbooks in both print and electronic formats. We have cookbooks for any type of cuisine you can imagine – Italian, Indian, Mediterranean, Soul Food, Chinese, seafood – the list could go on forever.

We also have any kind of diet-specific books you might be interested in – keto, vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian, low-carb, whole foods, paleo, etc. The Library has cookbooks for kids, for college students living on their own for the first time, families, empty nesters, literally anyone and everyone can find something that fits their lifestyle. Check out this list of cookbooks to get started or go to your local Library branch and find the cookbooks in 641.5 to see what new cooking adventures await you!

Join our social media challenge!

During the month of October, for National Cookbook Month, CMLibrary would like to invite you to check out a new cookbook, try a new recipe, and post about it on social media. Please share a photo or short video of the cookbook and your finished recipe on the social platform of your choice (or more) and tag us @cmlibrary (be sure to use the following hashtags: #cmlibrary #cmlibrarycooking #cmlibrarycooks. Be sure to follow us on social media – Charlotte Mecklenburg Library on Facebook, @cmlibrary on Instagram and @cmlibrary on Twitter so you can see all our social media posts during National Cookbook Month and all year long.

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This blog was written by Jessica Brewer, librarian at Mint Hill Library

October is STEAM month and that means systemwide, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library (CML) will be hosting plenty of exciting and engaging STEAM programs for young children, preteens and teens. Books are a great way to introduce young readers to science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics.

Representation in these books is also essential to inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, creative designers and artists for social change. Encouraging and exposing young Black children to characters that look like them can help to visualize and understand that they can grow up to be great creators and problem solvers in our world.

Check out some of these books at CML that encourage learning science and other academic disciplines for pre-k through 4th grade with Black children as the main characters or subject of the book.

Lonnie Johnson's Super-soaking Stream of Inventions written by Chris Barton and illustrated by Don Tate

In this biography, learn about the NASA engineer, Lonnie Johnson.  As a kid, he participated in science competitions and grew up to become a great inventor. One of his most significant interventions was the Super Soaker water gun. (1st-4th grade)

Rocket Says Look Up! by Nathan Bryon, illustrated by Dapo Adeola

Rocket is fascinated with staring at the sky with her telescope before bedtime each night. She becomes totally excited about the possibility of witnessing meteor showers and creates flyers to pass out to neighbors in her community. Her big brother is annoyed with her antics but has to stick around to help her out anyway. The historical references to past events and the astronaut Mae Jemison provide a great learning opportunity to expand on this subject. (Prek-2nd)

I Want to Be a Doctor, written by Laura Driscoll and illustrated by Catalina Echeverri

This book is a part of the I Can Read! Series. In this series, a young and curious big sister asks many questions when she goes with her family to the hospital because her younger brother Jack injured his foot. She learns a lot about different doctors and their specialties. The illustrations are inviting and welcoming to readers. At the back of the book, readers will find a list of doctors. (PreK-1st grade)

My Rainy Day Rocket Ship, written by Markette Sheppard and illustrated by Charly Palmer

Mom says there is no outside playtime on this rainy day as a young boy uses his imagination to build a rocket ship inside his home using a pair of swimming trunks, goggles, socks, and more. The colorful illustrations and science concepts will encourage young kids to imagine having their own rocket ship and travel to faraway planets. (PreK-1st grade)

The Girl With a Mind for Math The Story of Raye Montague, written by Julia Finley Mosca and illustrated by Daniel Rieley

Read this biography to learn about the fascinating life of Raye Montague, a mathematician extraordinaire. As a young girl, she was inspired to become an engineer after visiting a German submarine and grew up to make significant contributions in the engineering industry. (K- 2nd)

Be sure to look out for the HallowSTEAM for Preschoolers program on Wednesday, October 20, 2021, at 10:30 AM, which will feature the book Ada Twist Scientist, written by Andrea Beaty and illustrated by David Roberts. Ada Twist is a young and curious Black girl that wonders how things work. She finds great joy diving into experimental science projects that perplex her mom, dad, and older brother. This preschool program will help to show and encourage diversity in science with a likable character. This book is recommended for the PreK-2nd grades. During this program, preschoolers will be exposed to basic science concepts and can participate in some hands-on activities. The activity bags will be available for pickup at University City Regional Library. Please visit cmlibrary.org for registration and more information about the program.

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This blog was written by Alicia Finley, children's librarian at University City Regional Library.