NOTE: This story, originally published on January 26, 2021 with The Daily Tar Heel, was reposted with permission.

As students face boredom while quarantining — sometimes in their own childhood bedrooms — many are revisiting the novels they loved growing up. 

From Hogwarts to District 13, here are the books bringing students back to their younger years: 

Standout series 

First-year biology and psychology major Samara Galo’s favorite series from the past is "Percy Jackson and the Olympians." She said quarantine has given her the drive to start reading again.

"('Percy Jackson') is on my list of books to read, so I’m definitely looking forward to reading them, especially since the third spinoff series is officially done," Galo said. "It'd be interesting to start from the beginning and then get read to the new ones.”

Books like the "Percy Jackson" series, "Harry Potter," "The Hunger Games" and "The Mortal Instruments" are standout series among many students. Although these novels give readers a fun way to pass the time, they are directed at younger reading levels and may not be the first choice for college students.

Sophomore psychology major Katherine Swaringen reread "The Mortal Instruments" series eight times when she was younger. Today, Swaringen still reads as much as she can.

“My desire to read is through the roof,” Swaringen said. “I am so bored during quarantine, I read all the time. I read on my iPad Mini and I keep getting notifications saying, ‘You've reached your record of how much you've read in a day.’”

Sophomore Megan Wagner said she had difficulty sitting down and reading, but found joy in knowing the outcome of books she once read. 

”It’s nice if you can reread things because we’re living in a time where we don’t know what the outcome is going to be," Wagner said. "When you revisit things, you know what’s going to happen and so you can enjoy it without that stress."

Lessons from faraway lands 

Meanwhile, first-year Ronik Grewal’s book of choice was "Steelheart," a science-fiction book he first read in eighth grade. He said it taught him that everyone has gifts and talents that make them unique.

“I read it again a month or two ago,” Grewal said. “I saw a deeper meaning to the book that I didn't see when I was younger. When I was young, I just thought it was about them saving humanity, but there are some underlying themes that are moral lessons.”

First-year media and journalism major Grace Cleveland said it has been about a year since she read "The Hunger Games," her favorite series. But the current social climate has made her want to read it again.

“I feel like we've been living through one of those less high-quality dystopias," Cleveland said. "It feels like we're in a bad novel, and it's finally over.”

Cleveland's favorite books have also helped her through turbulent times.

“They've kept me hopeful through all of this,” Cleveland said. “These heroes and heroines face such adversity and they overcome it. And I figure if they can do it, then the least I can do is get through this.”

Imagining being a demigod, wizard or adventurer may be an escape from reality, but even the nostalgia of a familiar book can help students get through a tough time.

“I really appreciate books,” Swaringen said. “You don't really have to live completely in the moment all the time, you can escape with it, and considering everything that's going on, I think everyone needs a break.”

Explore the books that are helping UNC students cope in the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library catalog with the book list below:

Covid Coping at Chapel Hill : Lucy Smithwick & friends revisit childhood novels

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This blog was written by Lucy Smithwick, East Mecklenbury High School 2020 graduate, student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Charlotte Mecklenburg Library customer.

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.

What’s with all the hype about Black women’s hair? It’s the evolution of plastic barrettes and ballies and  hot combs on stovetops, to sitting on the porch getting braids or spending an entire Saturday in the salon. It’s self-expression, a culture, and a commitment to defining oneself unapologetically. 

In recent years there has been a societal shift in which many Black women have “returned to their roots” to embrace their natural hair. Hair that is not chemically straightened but rather curly, kinky, wavy, coiled, or locked. Depending on who you ask, the natural hair movement has been both championed and criticized but has also undoubtedly inspired a generation of bloggers, vloggers, influencers, and even a hashtag, #TeamNatural. Natural hair, though, hasn’t always been en vogue. 

Finger waves, hair weaves, extensions, box braids, Jheri curls, roller sets, and relaxers are among the myriad ways Black women have coiffed their tresses throughout the decades. Often, society would deem more elaborate styles as less than professional. Natural hair is sometimes viewed as less kempt, a distraction, or simply less than. 

In pre-colonial Africa, a person’s hair could tell her story, get it, “hair-story.” Hair could signify a person’s familial lineage, social status and marital status — it could even indicate mourning or fertility. During the Middle Passage, the hair of enslaved men, women, and children was shaved. This act was one of many that attempted to erase their culture and dehumanize them as well. When the hair grew back, it was often plaited or braided in rows. Cornrows could have intricate codes that helped guide the enslaved to freedom. 

In Louisiana, in the 1700s, Tignon Law dictated that women of color wear scarves, kerchiefs, or other head coverings in public. Head coverings indicated that the wearer was a member of the slave class, yet the law was the same for the free and enslaved alike. 

Black women’s hair is a big deal financially also. The first self-made female millionaire, Madam C.J. Walker, made her fortune through the production and sale of her own haircare line. Walker built a beauty empire that employed and educated thousands of Black women through her factory, hair salon, and beauty school.

Though the embracing of one’s natural hair is cause for celebration, Black women still find themselves at the center of criticism and controversy regarding their strands. Take, for example, the story of Chasity Jones, who, in 2010, had a job offer withdrawn after she refused to cut her locs. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) filed a suit on Jones’s behalf in 2013 and lost. The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the ruling and dismissed the case in 2016. Then, Rhonda Lee was fired from her job as a meteorologist in 2012 after she responded to a comment on social media in which a viewer suggested she grow out her short afro or wear a wig to cover it while on air. Corallys Ortiz, another meteorologist in Jackson, Tennessee, also received negative commentary on her hair in 2018 when a viewer left a voicemail telling her to wear her hair “more normal” followed by a racial slur. Times are changing, though. Tashara Parker, another reporter, went viral after wearing a natural bun style on the air in Texas in 2020. She received lots of positive comments, along with a smattering of negative ones. 

On September 21, 2020, the U.S. House of Representatives passed The CROWN Act. The CROWN Act, which stands for “Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair,” is a law that seeks to prohibit race-based hair discrimination, namely the denial of employment and educational opportunities because of hair texture or hairstyles, including braids, locs, twists, etc. The bill was originally introduced by U.S. Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey in 2019. At present, only seven states have passed it as law. In ten states, including North Carolina, The CROWN Act has been filed in one or more cities, but not statewide. The CROWN Act is law in Durham, NC, and Greensboro, NC. 

To learn more about the about Black Hair, please view the booklist Women’s History Month: In Celebration of Black Women’s Hair.  

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

This blog was written as part of the 2021 Community Read program. Learn more about Community Read and take the pledge here.

Do you remember how you got home from school in junior high? Maybe you walked, got a ride, or took the bus. Whatever your journey looked like, I think we can all recall that joyous feeling of freedom at the end of the day.

Jason Reynolds perfectly captures the ‘walking home after middle school’ experience in his book, Look Both Ways: A Tale Told in Ten Blocks, the Community Read 2021 preteen selection. Each chapter of this middle-grade book takes the reader down a different city block and introduces new characters. Readers young and old will enjoy the diverse characters’ lives and nuanced relationships – and will relate to the universality of the familiar shared experiences. Take the Community Read pledge and read Look Both Ways (and the other selected titles), then, hear from the author at a special appearance by Jason Reynolds on March 17!

There are so many ways to engage with Community Read all month. Sign up for the Community Read challenge then choose from the wide range of online programs for school-age kids, inspired by Look Both Ways. You can learn about dog safety from the Humane Society of Charlotte, create a kindness rock, or cozy up and just share a chapter with others.

Families can read the Community Read picture book title, You Matter, at storytime, teens and adults can get ready for a special appearance by signature title, I’m Not Dying With You Tonight, authors Kimberly Jones and Gilly Segal.  Adults who want to learn more about our companion title, Just Mercy can attend a book talk or a book club. For the entire month of March, the Library offers Community Read inspired programs and events. Click here for a calendar.

The Charlotte Mecklenburg Library is committed to addressing issues of racism and social justice—one important step we can take towards positive change is to explore different perspectives. The selected Community Read titles aim to help readers of all ages take a walk in someone else’s shoes. We hope you will join us on this journey!

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This blog was written by Tara Kehoe, children’s librarian at SouthPark Regional Library

Charlotte Mecklenburg Library has business resources available in digital formats to support you and your business.  This is the second in a series of three blogs about the Library’s digital business resources.

Read Part One: Small business support from the Library - Resources

Remember the library catalog on the left?  Library catalogs have come a long way!  Our library catalog is a robust tool to help customers find books, audiobooks, videos, and more to check out from the Library. 

This blog will focus on Charlotte Mecklenburg Library’s online catalog and how to search for business titles available in e-book and downloadable audiobook, recommended lists, and programs.

Searching the catalog

Searching the library catalog is like doing a search in Google or any other search engine.  The search box is located at the top.  You have the option to search the catalog or events (more on that later).  You can search the catalog by keyword (shown above), title, author, subject, tag, or list.  Use the drop-down beside “keyword” to change the search.  If you don’t know the title or author’s name, a keyword search is the easiest way to start.  Let’s search for materials in the library catalog on leadership.  As you type, the catalog will suggest titles it thinks you are looking for.  If you see your title, click on it and it will search for that title.  If you are just looking for leadership as a keyword, ignore those suggestions and click the red magnifying glass to execute the search.

Results are displayed based on the best match for your search.  The items at the top of the search results will be those that contain your exact search text, in the exact order you typed them (if you used more than one word). After exact matches, words in the title are given a priority, followed by author name, headings, and tags. Popular titles appear ahead of less popular ones.

As you can see from our search, the Library has over 6,000 items related to leadership!  The filters on the left side of the results will help you narrow down your results.  You can use as many filters as you want.

Let’s apply some filters.  I want to find e-books on leadership that are new to the Library in the past 90 days.  Find and select the filter for e-books under Format.  The filter “New at the Library” allows you to filter items by when they were added to the catalog.  Applying that filter narrows our search to 212 items.  That’s more manageable.  But what if I decide I still want to filter for e-books published in 2020?  Scroll down the page to the filter “Published Date,” expand the filter, and select “2020.”  Now we’ve got a list of 61 items.  Click on a title to learn more details.  To check out an e-book or audiobook, follow the link provided in the catalog.

Another way to search the catalog is the Advanced Search.  The Advanced Search allows you to add all your search parameters at one time before executing the search.  You can still filter the results if you need to.  Let’s do the same kind of search in Advanced Search. 

Use the form to construct your search.  Enter “leadership” in the keyword search box.  Use the drop-down menu for Audience to select “Adult.”  In Date Published, limit your search by entering “2020” and “2021.”  Scroll down and select “e-book” in the Format limit.  Click Search.  The results display 631 items.  Use the filters on the left to narrow down your results even more.

For more help using the library catalog, click “Help” located at the top right of the page.

Recommendations from Staff

Charlotte Mecklenburg Library staff create lists and recommendations in our catalog to help customers discover materials on specific topics.  Think of it like a virtual display you would see in a branch.

Searching for lists is very similar to searching for materials.

Instead of searching the catalog by keyword, change the drop-down to “List.”  Use the search box to enter keywords that describe the kind of list you want.  Our Library staff tag their lists with #cmlibrarysuggests.  Include this tag in your search box if you want lists by Charlotte Mecklenburg Library staff.  In the example above, “#cmlibrarysuggests business” will search for lists that include the #cmlibrarysuggests tag and the keyword business. 

The results will display lists created by Charlotte Mecklenburg Library that have the keyword “business.”    Find a list that interests you and click on it.  Here are a few staff lists to get you started:

• Business e-books and audios – No.1
• Business e-books and audios – No.2
• Nonprofit basics
• Best business audiobooks

Find Library programs

The Charlotte Mecklenburg Library catalog can also be searched for library programs.

Instead of searching the catalog, change the drop-down menu to “Events.”  In the search box, enter keywords for the type of program you are interested in.  For example, type book club, story time, or resume.  The example above uses the keyword “business.”  Press the red magnifying glass to execute your search.

Results will display programs scheduled at the Library based on your keyword(s).  Use the filters on the left to narrow down your results.  With programs, you may want to filter by audience or event type.  Currently, all Charlotte Mecklenburg Library programs are virtual.  As the Library resumes to normal operations, you can use the location filter to find programs at your preferred branch.

Access all the Library’s resources for free with your library card.  Don’t have one?  Sign up here!  If you need more help with the resources covered in this blog, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library staff are available to help by email, chat, and phone. 

Coming Soon!

Part Three – Business e-books, digital magazines, and downloadable audiobooks

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

Charlotte Mecklenburg Library has business resources available in digital formats to support you and your business.  This is the third in a series of three blogs about the Library’s digital business resources.

Part One: Small business support from the Library - Resources

Part Two: Find business materials and programs in our catalog

Are you planning to start a new business?  Are you a manager that wants to improve your communication skills?  Or do you just want to figure out how to run your online meetings more efficiently?  Each month Charlotte Mecklenburg Library adds new e-books, digital magazines, and downloadable audiobooks titles related to starting your own business, managing, and leading employees, marketing your business, investing, and more.  Do you know how to find them? 

OverDrive/Libby

OverDrive is a collection of e-books, magazines, and audiobooks on a wide variety of subjects and genres.  This is where to go to find the New York Times bestsellers or other popular materials.  OverDrive most closely mimics a traditional library in that you can check out items and place a hold.  Read about Charlotte Mecklenburg Library’s OverDrive collection and how to get started here.  Libby is OverDrive's app. 

If you are looking for a specific title, you can use the search feature by clicking the magnifying glass in the top right corner of every page.  If you want to see all the business books in one place, check out our Business room in OverDrive.  Click on “Business” to open the page.

The Business room is organized with curated subject collections to help you discover e-books and audiobooks.  Choose from topics such as “Just added,” “Stay Well and Work from Home,” “Women in Business,” “Marketing,” or “Leadership Lessons.”  New collections and books are added monthly. 

You can also browse the entire collection by subject.  Click “Subjects” from any page and then narrow your focus by clicking on business.  Within business you can filter even more by selecting a subject heading on the left side of the page.

   

Business Magazines in OverDrive

Charlotte Mecklenburg Library recently added digital magazines to OverDrive.  Read about it here.  The Library has many popular business and finance magazines available on OverDrive.  Some of the most popular include: The Economist, Apple Magazine, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance, Fast Company, and Entrepreneur Magazine.  To find magazines in OverDrive, click on “Magazines” in the navigation bar.  Scroll to find the “Business and Finance” collection.

hoopla

hoopla allows library customers to instantly borrow e-books, comics, audiobooks, music, movies, and television —no holds, and no waiting!  Learn more about hoopla’s collection and how to get started here.

After signing into hoopla, you can search by keyword, title, author, or format.  The search box is in the middle top of the screen.  If you know the title, type it in the search box.  Hoopla makes browsing easy.  To the left of the search box is the Browse feature.   Click the down arrow beside Browse to expand the menu.  Click on the type of media you are looking for: audiobook, movies, music, comics, e-books, or television.  Click on “e-book”.  The e-books page displays the most popular e-books being used by hoopla customers.  Click on categories to find business books.

The top e-book categories will be shown and then all categories.  Categories are in alphabetical order.  Think of categories like subjects or topics of interest.  Click on the category “Business & Economics.” 

The Business and Economics page will display more subjects or topics of interest to narrow down your search.  Or keep scrolling for the most popular books in this category.  You can also use the filters on the side to narrow your search by release date, date added, and language.

Gale e-books

Gale e-books offers a collection of specialized e-books on a variety of topics.  What’s really special about Gale e-books is that it contains all 50 volumes of the Business Plans Handbook.  The Business Plans Handbook contains actual business plans compiled by, and aimed at, entrepreneurs seeking funding for small businesses.  Samples plans are taken from businesses in the manufacturing, retail, and service industries and serve as examples of how to approach, structure, and compose business plans.  You can find our Gale e-books resource on the Library’s Resource page.  After accessing Gale e-books, click “Business” under “Browse Collections.”  Click on the Business Plans Handbook cover to access the 50 volumes.

Access all the Library’s resources for free with your library card.  Don’t have one?  Sign up here!  If you need more help with the resources covered in this blog, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library staff are available to help by email, chat, and phone. 

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

Since 1996, April has been designated National Poetry Month by the Academy of American Poets.  The purpose of this month-long celebration is to increase awareness and appreciation of poetry in the United States. Charlotte Mecklenburg Library is offering a variety of online poetry programs during April to celebrate.

National Poetry Month each April is the largest literary celebration in the world, with tens of millions of readers, students, K-12 teachers, librarians, booksellers, literary events curators, publishers, bloggers, and, of course, poets marking poetry's important place in our culture and our lives. 

• April 1, join local poets for our Poetry Month Kickoff in an online poetry gathering on Gather.Town. Meet the poets, write your own poems or hear a few poems in an informal game-like setting. Then head into the main gathering for poems and more.

• April 8, Award-winning Charlotte-based spoken word poet and storyteller Hannah Hasan presents “I Love Us” with poems and stories from her new chapbook by the same name.

• April 16, join Poetry Beyond the Page, a panel discussion with local poets, to learn what happens with a poem after it’s written. 

Download the calendar for a full listing of National Poetry Month events happening at the Library here.

National Poetry Month Booklist

Be sure to watch our social media channels for special content from local poets -- Facebook, Twitter, Instagram.

Desplácese hacia abajo para ver la versión en español

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 14 is the last day that you can enter reading time or activities in your log. Participants will have until Saturday, August 21 to pick up their incentives – while supplies last.

• Wendy’s Jr. Frosty Coupon (earned at sign-up)
• Completion prizes are: 
  
  • Babies/children: a book
  • Teens: choice of a book or doodle notebook
  • Adults: a Library tote bag

You can continue to track your reading through Beanstack at any time. Be sure to check back later to register for more fun Library challenges in Beanstack. 

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

Upcoming Programs

Even though Summer Break is almost over, online programs are available all year. Here are a few exciting programs coming up:

Cornelius Branch Family Storytime

Wednesday, August 25 at 10 a.m.

Your whole family can enjoy stories, songs and movement activities that support early literacy skill development and help foster a love of books and reading in your child.

PSAT Virtual Free Practice Test: College & Career Connections

Tuesday, August 17 – all day

Don’t procrastinate! Take action NOW to ensure you improve your PSAT score. Join a classroom of your peers and take a full-length practice PSAT. 

International Authors Book Club for 20 to 30 Somethings

Saturday, August 28 at 10:30 a.m.

Join us for literary discussion and cultural banter, based on books we read from around the globe. 

Myers Park Branch - Read to Seed Gardening Series

Monday, August 23 at noon

This month, the Myers Park Library Garden Club in conjunction with Matthews Library is hosting Dr. Larry Mellichamp, author of The Southeast Native Plant Primer, presenting Gardening in Charlotte Year-round.

Comments? Questions?  

Are you having problems with the Summer Break website or your account? Do you have questions about the program? Feel free to call your local library for assistance or email [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 Angela Arnold, Summer Break team co-lead for Charlotte Mecklenburg Library.

Otro verano se va volando. La compra de suministros para la escuela ha comenzado, las vacaciones están por finalizar y otro programa de vacaciones de verano está por terminar.  

Recuerda que el sábado, 14 de agosto es el último día que puedes registrar tu tiempo de lectura o actividades. Los participantes tendrán hasta el sábado, 21 de agosto para elegir sus incentivos, sujetos a disponibilidad.

• Cupón para un helado Jr. Frosty de Wendy’s (se obtiene al inscribirse)
• Los premios por completar el programa son los siguientes: 
  
  • Bebés/Niños: un libro
  • Adolescentes: elección de un libro o un anotador
  • Adultos: una bolsa de la biblioteca

Puedes continuar registrando tu tiempo de lectura mediante Beanstack en cualquier momento. Asegúrate de volver a ingresar más tarde para registrarte en más retos divertidos de la biblioteca en Beanstack. 

Gracias por participar en el reto del programa de vacaciones de verano. Esperamos que te hayas divertido leyendo y aprendiendo durante todo el verano. ¡Nos vemos pronto el próximo verano!

Próximos programas

Aunque el programa de vacaciones de verano ya casi termina, hay programas en línea disponibles durante todo el año. Estos son algunos de los próximos programas emocionantes:

Narración de cuentos para la familia de la sucursal Cornelius

Miércoles, 25 de agosto a las 10:00 a. m.

Toda tu familia podrá disfrutar de cuentos, canciones y actividades de movimiento que fomentan el desarrollo de habilidades de alfabetización temprana y que ayudan a promover la pasión de tu hijo por los libros y la lectura.

Prueba de práctica gratis virtual del PSAT: Conexiones universitarias y profesionales

Martes, 17 de agosto: todo el día

¡No lo postergues! Actúa AHORA para asegurarte de mejorar tu puntuación del examen PSAT. Acompáñanos en una clase con personas de tu misma edad y haz una prueba de práctica completa del PSAT. 

Club de lectura de autores internacionales para personas de 20 a 30 y pico años

Sábado, 28 de agosto a las 10:30 a.m.

Acompáñanos en un debate literario y una charla cultural, basados en libros que leemos de todo el mundo. 

Sucursal Myers Park: Lee sobre los distintos tipos de siembra de semillas

Lunes, 23 de agosto al mediodía

Este mes, el club de jardinería de la biblioteca Myers Park junto con la biblioteca Matthews serán anfitriones del Dr. Larry Mellichamp, autor de The Southeast Native Plant Primer (Manual básico sobre plantas nativas del sudeste), quien expondrá sobre jardinería en Charlotte durante todo el año.

¿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 llamar a tu biblioteca local para pedir ayuda o envía 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 Ángela Arnold, colíder del equipo del programa de vacaciones de verano de la biblioteca Charlotte Mecklenburg.

Have you thought about learning a new language? Do you want to improve your language skills? Maybe you haven’t practiced your Spanish in years, or you hope to visit France some day and want to learn basic French before you go. August is English as a Second Language (ESL) Month at Charlotte Mecklenburg Library and we have several resources to help you reach your goals from home – or wherever your internet connection takes you. All of these are free with a Library card. 

Access Video for Kids

The Just for Kids Collection gives children — and their parents — a thoroughly kid-safe, advertisement-free media platform they can freely explore and enjoy. Just for Kids has the educational videos children want to watch, plus songs, games, and other interactives that are sure to entertain, educate, and inspire young patrons. Plus, this streaming collection is ideal for librarians hosting a video storytelling hour activities for preschoolers and early learners, an after-school or ESL/ELL program, homework help, or resources for homeschoolers that they can access anywhere, anytime. 

Access

Transparent Language

Provides a fun, effective, and engaging experience for learners of all levels looking to build their listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in a foreign language. With over 110 languages to choose from, including English for speakers of over 30 languages, there is something for every learner. Transparent Language Online combines robust courses, supplemental vocabulary, extensive grammar resources, and mobile apps for a complete language-learning experience.

Access

International Newsstream

New content from more than 600 of the world's top newspapers in a variety of languages.

Access

Kanopy 

An award-winning video streaming service providing access to more than 30,000 independent and documentary films ─  titles of unique social and cultural value from The Criterion Collection, The Great Courses, Media Education Foundation, and thousands of independent filmmakers. Enjoy their selections of titles in various world languages as well.

Access

The Library’s resources are free to use with your Library card or ONE Access ID. If you don’t have a card, you can apply for one here. So, what are you waiting for? ¡Si puedo comenzar hoy! - that means I can get started today! 

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This blog was written by Darrell Anderson, marketing and communications specialist for Charlotte Mecklenburg Library.

Summer is a season for many things - catching up on rest, chasing adventure through local, national or international travel, trying refreshing recipes in the kitchen and so much more. One of our favorite ways to pass the time is to read a good book (or two, or three, or ten…you get the point), and binge a good TV show or movie. If the show or movie is adapted from a book, we try our best to read the book first. Is anyone else this way?

If, like us, you prefer to dive into a book before diving into its corresponding movie, we have the perfect list for you to explore.

The best summer reading and movie nights are ahead. Check out the following titles:

Adult Fiction
The Last Letter from Your Lover by Jojo Moyes

It is 1960. When Jennifer Stirling wakes up in the hospital, she can remember nothing-not the tragic car accident that put her there, not her husband, not even who she is. She feels like a stranger in her own life until she stumbles upon an impassioned letter, signed simply "B", asking her to leave her husband.

Years later, in 2003, a journalist named Ellie discovers the same enigmatic letter in a forgotten file in her newspaper's archives. She becomes obsessed by the story and hopeful that it can resurrect her faltering career. Perhaps if these lovers had a happy ending, she would find one to her own complicated love life, too. Ellie's search will rewrite history and help her see the truth about her own modern romance.

Adult Non-Fiction
The House of Gucci by Sara Gay Forden

On March 27, 1995, Maurizio Gucci, heir to the fabulous fashion dynasty, was slain by an unknown gunman as he approached his Milan office. In 1998, his ex-wife Patrizia Reggiani Martinelli--nicknamed "The Black Widow" by the press--was sentenced to 29 years in prison, for arranging his murder. 

Did Patrizia murder her ex-husband because his spending was wildly out of control? Did she do it because her glamorous ex was preparing to marry his mistress, Paola Franchi? Or is there a possibility she didn't do it at all?

The Gucci story is one of glitz, glamour, intrigue, the rise, near fall and subsequent resurgence of a fashion dynasty. Beautifully written, impeccably researched, and widely acclaimed, The House of Gucci will captivate readers with its page-turning account of high fashion, high finance, and heart-rending personal tragedy

Teen
Monster by Walter Dean Myers

Sixteen-year-old Steve Harmon is on trial for murder. A Harlem drugstore owner was shot and killed in his store, and the word is that Steve served as the lookout.

Guilty or innocent, Steve becomes a pawn in the hands of "the system," cluttered with cynical authority figures and unscrupulous inmates, who will turn in anyone to shorten their own sentences. For the first time, Steve is forced to think about who he is as he faces prison, where he may spend all the tomorrows of his life.

As a way of coping with the horrific events that entangle him, Steve, an amateur filmmaker, decides to transcribe his trial into a script, just like in the movies. He writes it all down, scene by scene, the story of how his whole life was turned around in an instant. But, despite his efforts, reality is blurred and his vision obscured until he can no longer tell who he is or what is the truth. This compelling novel is Walter Dean Myers's writing at its best.

Children
Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry

Zuri’s hair has a mind of its own. It kinks, coils, and curls every which way. Zuri knows it’s beautiful. When mommy does Zuri’s hair, she feels like a superhero. But when mommy is away, it’s up to daddy to step in! And even though daddy has a lot to learn, he LOVES his Zuri. And he’ll do anything to make her—and her hair—happy.

Desplácese hacia abajo para ver la versión en español

Summer is coming to an end and students across our area are gearing up to return to school! Whether you are sending your child off to school for the first time, preparing for college admissions, or somewhere in between, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library is here to support all your student’s back-to-school needs.

Virtual Learning Opportunities

Did you know that the Library provides a multitude of virtual learning programs to enrich your child’s academic and social skills? The calendar is filled weekly with school-age programming you can enjoy from anywhere! After registering, you will receive a Zoom link to participate in the program. If your child can’t make the live programs, you’re invited to participate at your convenience by viewing pre-recorded programs on our Digital Branch. Our specialized content is designed to elevate and extend your student’s learning. Virtual programming is not limited to children in elementary school, it’s available for all age groups. Teens can join in writing groups, book clubs, trivia sessions and gaming sessions such as Dungeons and Dragons. While you get into your back-to-school routine, be sure to join a group and meet new friends.

ONE Access and Curated Lists by Grade Level

Every child in the Charlotte Mecklenburg School system can use their student ID number as their Library card number – this is called a ONE Access ID number (the pin number is your child’s month and birthday combined in MMDD format). Yes, you heard that right! It’s called ONE Access, or One Number Equals Access, and it makes it very convenient for your child to place books on hold or check out digital resources. Our Library staff have even created curated lists for students to read by grade level. Check them out here: Elementary, Middle and High School. Your child’s ONE Access ID number doesn’t just limit them to books. There are many e-resources to utilize such as Tutor.com (up to 10 free, live homework tutoring sessions each week), Transparent Language (learn a new language) and Freegal music (for when your dance party breaks!). The possibilities are endless with free learning resources offered through your Library.

Educational Support

The Library is committed to improving lives and building a stronger community – a lofty goal as evidenced by our commitment to programming and helping your child prepare for their next step beyond high school. Library branches offer one-on-one weekly virtual appointments with teens to discuss how to successfully plan for the future. Library staff members can connect your high schooler with resources to plan for a potential job or college process, including financial aid and scholarship opportunities. One-on-one virtual appointments are available daily for elementary schoolers as well for Reading Buddies, tutoring, and enrichment. Feel back-to-school ready knowing your local Library will support your child’s learning beyond the classroom.

Parent and Teacher Learning Opportunities

Getting ready for the start of a new school year is not limited to children. Parents, caregivers, and teachers can get back-to-school ready by learning something new too. Parent Lunch and Learn programs are available every month virtually for adults to learn something new and connect with other parents. Active Reading programs are offered as well to learn how to read WITH your child, and improve your child’s language, vocabulary and comprehension skills. Build your confidence and meet other caregivers just like you- we're all in this together! If you’re unavailable for live programs, find other resources to kickstart your school year on our Supporting Student Success page.

Every new school year presents new challenges and opportunities. Charlotte Mecklenburg Library is fully equipped and ready to provide you and your school-age child with an opportunity to learn and grow. Take advantage of the opportunities that await you and your children this school year!  

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This blog was written by Elyse Berrier, active reading training coordinator for Charlotte Mecklenburg Library

¡El verano se termina y los estudiantes de nuestra área se preparan para el regreso a clases! Ya sea que su hijo esté empezando la escuela por primera vez, preparando la admisión universitaria o alguna instancia intermedia, la biblioteca Charlotte Mecklenburg está aquí para ayudar a los estudiantes con todas sus necesidades para el regreso a clases.

Oportunidades de aprendizaje virtual

¿Sabía que la biblioteca ofrece varios programas de aprendizaje virtual para enriquecer las habilidades académicas y sociales de su hijo? El calendario se completa todas las semanas con la planificación para niños y adolescentes en edad escolar, y se puede disfrutar desde cualquier lugar. Luego de la inscripción, recibirá un enlace de Zoom para participar en el programa. Si su hijo no puede participar en los programas en vivo, lo invitamos a ver los programas pregrabados cuando le sea conveniente en nuestra sucursal virtual. Nuestro contenido especializado está diseñado para elevar y ampliar el aprendizaje del estudiante. La planificación virtual no se limita a niños de primaria, está disponible para todos los grupos etarios. Los adolescentes pueden unirse a grupos de escritura, clubs de lectura, sesiones de trivia y juegos, como Calabozos y Dragones. Mientras vuelven a su rutina escolar, tienen la oportunidad de unirse a un grupo y conocer nuevos amigos.

ONE Access y listas catalogadas por grado

Todos los estudiantes que estén en el sistema escolar de Charlotte Mecklenburg pueden usar su número de identificación de estudiante como número de tarjeta de la biblioteca. Este número se denomina número de identificación ONE Access (el número PIN es el día y el mes de cumpleaños de su hijo combinados en formato MMDD). ¡Sí, escuchó bien! Se denomina ONE Access o One Number Equals Access (un número equivale al acceso), y le sirve a su hijo para ubicar libros en espera o utilizar recursos digitales. El personal de la biblioteca ha creado listas catalogadas para que los estudiantes lean según el nivel del grado al que asisten. Pueden consultarlas aquí: escuela primaria, escuela media y escuela secundaria. El número de identificación ONE Access de su hijo no solo le sirve para obtener libros. Hay muchos recursos electrónicos que puede utilizar, como Tutor.com (hasta diez sesiones gratuitas de tutoría en vivo para hacer las tareas cada semana), Transparent Language (para aprender un idioma nuevo) y Freegal music (¡para cuando comience la fiesta!). Las posibilidades son infinitas con los recursos de aprendizaje gratuitos que ofrece nuestra biblioteca.

Apoyo educativo

La biblioteca procura mejorar las vidas de la comunidad y hacerla más fuerte; un objetivo ambicioso que se pone de manifiesto en nuestro compromiso con la planificación y el apoyo para preparar a su hijo para el camino luego de la secundaria. Las sucursales de la biblioteca ofrecen encuentros virtuales semanales e individuales con los adolescentes para analizar un plan exitoso para su futuro. El personal de la biblioteca puede conectar al estudiante de escuela secundaria con recursos para planificar un posible proceso laboral o universitario, lo que incluye las oportunidades de becas o asistencia financiera. Los encuentros virtuales individuales están disponibles de forma diaria para los estudiantes de primaria, así como también los compañeros de lectura, las tutorías y el enriquecimiento. Esté listo para el regreso a clases sabiendo que su biblioteca local apoyará el aprendizaje de su hijo más allá del aula.

Oportunidades de aprendizaje para padres y maestros

Prepararse para el comienzo de un nuevo año escolar no es algo que hacen solo los niños. Los padres, las madres, los cuidadores y los maestros pueden prepararse para el regreso a clases al aprender también algo nuevo. Los programas de Almuerzo y Aprendizaje para Padres están disponibles todos los meses de manera virtual para que los adultos puedan aprender algo nuevo y conectarse con otros padres y madres. También se ofrecen programas de Lectura Activa para que aprenda cómo leer CON su hijo y pueda mejorar el lenguaje, el vocabulario y las habilidades de comprensión de su hijo. ¡Anímese y conozca a otros cuidadores como usted! ¡Estamos juntos en esto! Si no puede asistir a los programas en vivo, encuentre otros recursos para comenzar el año escolar en nuestra página de Apoyo al éxito estudiantil.

Cada año escolar nuevo presenta nuevos desafíos y oportunidades. La biblioteca Charlotte Mecklenburg está completamente equipada y lista para ofrecerles a usted y a su hijo estudiante la oportunidad de aprender y crecer. ¡Aproveche las oportunidades que usted y su hijo tienen este año escolar!  

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Este blog fue escrito por Elyse Berrier, coordinadora de las capacitaciones en lectura activa de la biblioteca Charlotte Mecklenburg.