Did you know that you can continue to stay connected to the Library while staying home? How would you like to participate in a virtual storytime with your family or receive resume help all from the comfort of your couch? Join Charlotte Mecklenburg Library every week for a wide range of virtual programming for children, teens and adults. See a complete listing of this upcoming programming for the week of 9/14/2020 below. Click the corresponding links for more information and register for programs where applicable.

Learn more about online programming by clicking here

Sunday 9/13

Engage 2020: Community Conversations - Local Voices Matter  register

Monday 9/14

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

Online Listen and Move Storytime – 10:30 a.m. (Children's programming)  learn more

One-on-One Tutoring and Enrichment – 11 a.m. (Children’s programming)  register

Virtual Reading Buddies – 11 a.m.  (Children's programming)   register

Virtual Reading Buddies – 12 p.m.  (Children's programming)   register

Mindful Mondays - Guided Relaxation and Meditation  –  12 p.m. (Adult programming)   register

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

One-on-One Tutoring and Enrichment – 2 p.m. (Children’s programming)  register

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

Book a Librarian – Technology – 2 p.m. (Adult programming)   register

One-on-One Tutoring and Enrichment - 3 p.m. (Children's programming)  register

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

One-on-One Tutoring and Enrichment - 4 p.m. (Children's programming)   register

Virtual Reading Buddies – 4 p.m.  (Children's programming)   register

Stronger Together: Support for your Job Search – 4 p.m. (Adult programming)  register

One-on-One Tutoring and Enrichment - 5 p.m. (Children's programming)   register

Virtual Reading Buddies – 5 p.m.  (Children's programming)   register

One-on-One Tutoring and Enrichment – 6 p.m. (Children's programming)   register

Virtual Reading Buddies – 6 p.m.  (Children's programming)   register

Tuesday 9/15         

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

Cuentos Virtuales en Español - 10:30 a.m. (Children's programming)   learn more

Getting Started with Microsoft Powerpoint – 11 a.m. (Adult programming)   register

Book a Librarian - Business Research – 11 a.m. (Adult programming)   register

Virtual Reading Buddies – 11 a.m.  (Children's programming)   register

One-on-One Tutoring and Enrichment - 11 a.m. (Children's programming)  register

Active Reading Training for Caregivers of K-3 Students – 12 p.m. (Adult programming)   register

Career Development Intensive Coaching – 12 p.m. (Adult programming)   register

Career Development Intensive Coaching – 12:30 p.m. (Adult programming)   register

Virtual Reading Buddies – 12 p.m.  (Children's programming)   register

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

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

Intro to Proposal Writing – 2 p.m. (Adult programming) 

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

One-on-One Tutoring and Enrichment – 2 p.m. (Children's programming)   register

Story Explorers Enrichment – 3 p.m. (Children's programming)  register

One-on-One Tutoring and Enrichment – 3 p.m. (Children's programming)  register

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

One-on-One Tutoring and Enrichment – 4 p.m. (Children's programming)  register

Virtual Reading Buddies – 4 p.m.  (Children's programming)  register

One-on-One Tutoring and Enrichment – 5 p.m. (Children's programming)  register

Virtual Reading Buddies – 5 p.m.  (Children's programming)  register

One-on-One Tutoring and Enrichment – 6 p.m. (Children's programming)  register

Virtual Reading Buddies – 6 p.m.  (Children's programming)  register

Creating Resumes with the Job Help Center – 6:30 p.m.  (Adult programming)   register

Wednesday 9/16

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

Online Listen and Move Storytime – 10:30 a.m. (Children's programming)  learn more

One-on-One Tutoring and Enrichment – 11 a.m. (Children’s programming)  register

Virtual Reading Buddies – 11 a.m.  (Children's programming)   register

Virtual Reading Buddies – 12 p.m.  (Children's programming)   register

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

One-on-One Tutoring and Enrichment – 2 p.m. (Children’s programming)  register

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

Book a Librarian – Technology – 2 p.m. (Adult programming)   register

Active Reading Comprehension Strategies for Upper Elementary Learners  – 3 p.m. (Adult programming)  register

One-on-One Tutoring and Enrichment - 3 p.m. (Children's programming)   register

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

One-on-One Tutoring and Enrichment - 4 p.m. (Children's programming)   register

Virtual Reading Buddies – 4 p.m.  (Children's programming)   register

One-on-One Tutoring and Enrichment - 5 p.m. (Children's programming)   register

Virtual Reading Buddies – 5 p.m.  (Children's programming)   register

One-on-One Tutoring and Enrichment – 6 p.m. (Children's programming)   register

Virtual Reading Buddies – 6 p.m.  (Children's programming)   register

Learning Circle: The 1619 Project – 6 p.m. (Adult programming)

Thursday 9/17

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

Cuentos en 2 idiomas: inglés y español - 10:30 a.m. (Children's programming)   learn more

Book a Librarian - Business Research – 11 a.m. (Adult programming)   register

Virtual Reading Buddies – 11 a.m.  (Children's programming)   register

One-on-One Tutoring and Enrichment - 11 a.m. (Children's programming)   register

Virtual Reading Buddies – 12 p.m.  (Children's programming)   register

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

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

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

Learning Circle: American Sign Language – 2 p.m. (Adult programming)  register

One-on-One Tutoring and Enrichment – 2 p.m. (Children's programming)   register

Learning Circle: Foundations of Mindfulness – 3 p.m. (Adult programming) 

Story Explorer’s Enrichment – 3 p.m. (Children's programming)  register

One-on-One Tutoring and Enrichment – 3 p.m. (Children's programming)  register

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

Book Talk: Children's – 3 p.m. (Children's programming)  register

One-on-One Tutoring and Enrichment – 4 p.m. (Children's programming)  register

Virtual Reading Buddies – 4 p.m.  (Children's programming)  register

One-on-One Tutoring and Enrichment – 5 p.m. (Children's programming)  register

Virtual Reading Buddies – 5 p.m.  (Children's programming)  register

One-on-One Tutoring and Enrichment – 6 p.m. (Children's programming)  register

Virtual Reading Buddies – 6 p.m.  (Children's programming)  register

Teens Live on Instagram: Bullet Journaling – 6 p.m. (Teen programming)  learn more

Remote Learning 101: Using Library Resources to Enhance Your Child's Learning – 6 p.m. (Adult programming)  register

Friday 9/18

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

Baby Storytime – 10:30 a.m.  (Children's programming)  learn more

Virtual Reading Buddies – 11 a.m. (Children's programming)  register

One-on-One Tutoring and Enrichment – 11 a.m. (Children's programming)  register

Engage 2020: Ted Talks Discussion: The Importance of Seeking The Whole Story – 11 a.m. (Adult programming) 

Virtual Reading Buddies – 12 a.m. (Children's programming)   register

Mindful Friday- Meditation for Wellness – 12 p.m. (Adult programming)  register

Learning Circle: How to Be an LGBT+ Ally – 1 p.m. (Adult programming)   register

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

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

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

One-on-One Tutoring and Enrichment – 2 p.m. (Children's programming)   register

One-on-One Tutoring and Enrichment – 3 p.m. (Children's programming)   register

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

Saturday 9/19

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

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

Virtual Reading Buddies – 11 a.m.  (Children's programming)   register

2020 is really something. Kobe Bryant’s sudden death in January brought a feeling of mortality that I cannot shake to this day. One doesn’t need to be a basketball fan to recognize the name of a man who influenced nearly every Black teen’s jump shot for the past 20 years. Kobe’s legacy lives on. Now, with Chadwick Boseman’s death in August, we honor a similar legacy.

In his most prolific role, Chadwick Boseman was much more than just the sovereign T’Challa of the fictional Wakanda. It’s his legacy as the Black Panther who gave young Black children in communities all over the world a hero who looked like them. 

Chadwick and Black Panther movie director Ryan Coogler were able to turn a somewhat obscure Marvel character into a mainstay while creating a cultural phenomenon. I saw Black Panther four times the month it came out. Inspired by the significance of the plot and my own personal role influencing children in the community, I decided to don the Black Panther persona in the Library, hoping to accomplish a fraction of what Chadwick managed to do in his role onscreen. Black men are significantly underrepresented in libraries and education, so as the outlier I could show the real importance of that representation.

Even my roleplaying of this character only scratches the surface of what this fine actor accomplished. Long before Black Panther or his rise to superstardom, Boseman played other notable Black heroes like Jackie Robinson, Thurgood Marshall and James Brown. In his personal life, Chadwick was often acknowledged for his kindness, humility and strength of character. He continued to be a hero despite his cancer diagnosis. That is another reason why his death is surreal to me. It is especially devastating when the good die young.

2020 was supposed to be our year, a year full of potential, the start to a shiny new decade that would leave behind the uncertainty of years past and bring hope to a new generation. What we got in return was a far cry from our expectations, and so broad in its effect there isn’t enough room on this page to recount it all. (SPOILER ALERT) Much like the end of the movie Avengers: Infinity War, we have been left blindsided by the sheer amount of loss. If there was one thing I was not prepared for when watching that movie for the first time, it was for the heroes to fall short, lose their battle and perish. Among the fallen was King T’Challa/Black Panther himself, who disintegrated amid the chaos of war. The Marvel Universe can easily correct any adversity with a second movie but, sadly, there are no do-overs in the real world and we mourn the loss of Chadwick Boseman. A king has fallen but the kingdom lives on. Wakanda Forever.

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This blog was written by Darius Smalls at the ImaginOn branch of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library

James Baldwin once said, “To be a Negro in this country and to be relatively conscious is to be in a rage almost all the time...”

Although Baldwin was quoted saying this in 1961, his words still resonate in 2020 concerning America’s state of affairs. Imagine being Black and waking up nearly every day to a new case of police brutality against Black people, with protests erupting from supporters of Black lives lost and brutalized and still having to go on with your regular routine.

Work. It is that place where we spend most of our time and forge formidable relationships that we sustain throughout life--or at least until we move on to the next job. Work is the routine we must keep up in these trying times. We have lifestyles to maintain, which depends on whether you are earning a livable wage.

Still, the most prominent obstacle in keeping up with the day-to-day is dealing with how Black people are treated in America and how current events affect Black people in the workplace. We become mad, sad, numb, sometimes desensitized, and a whole host of other feelings. Black people are constantly working to cope with what’s happening to them in the streets. We consider taking time to embrace the care needed surrounding being Black in America and seeking support from other Black people­-–specifically family and close friends. But how do we perceive and receive support from the place where we spend most of our time: the workplace?

Navigating the workplace as a Black employee is trying during times of civil unrest. Many organizations have become hyper-aware of these circumstances and are taking steps to address the issues to support Black people. The workplace’s response to what’s happening in America with Black people is crucial in maintaining a healthy space where we can feel safe with our thoughts, feelings and actions. We spend much of our life in the workplace, and emotional safety is becoming something that we need more and more of because Black people are emotionally drained. The support of leaders and coworkers is essential to the productivity and deliverables expected of our time spent at work.

Here are some ways you can support your Black employees and coworkers:

• Allow space. Be empathetic to the needs of Black people and their need to take a break and be silent. We don’t always want to talk about it.
• Recognize your privilege. Don’t be so comfortable in your privilege that you alienate the people with whom you work closely.
• Get educated. Don’t expect Black people to educate you on what’s going on with the state of Black people in America. Educate yourself beyond what you see in the news and on social media.
• Broadcast your support. Be an ally and an anti-racist. Call people out when they say or do racist things because your silence is complicit.

Now let’s revisit the quote by James Baldwin, but this time in full: “To be a Negro in this country and to be relatively conscious is to be in a state of rage almost, almost all of the time — and in one’s work. And part of the rage is this: It isn’t only what is happening to you. But it’s what’s happening all around you and all of the time in the face of the most extraordinary and criminal indifference, indifference of most white people in this country, and their ignorance. Now, since this is so, it’s a great temptation to simplify the issues under the illusion that if you simplify them enough, people will recognize them. I think this illusion is very dangerous because, in fact, it isn’t the way it works. A complex thing can’t be made simple. You simply have to try to deal with it in all its complexity and hope to get that complexity across.”

Now, let’s sit with that, welcome these suggestions, and make impactful change in the world.

This blog written by De’Trice Fox at the Job Help Center at Main Library of Charlotte Mecklenburg Library 

As a teen librarian, I was hesitant about developing and facilitating my first virtual program during the summer of 2020. The weight of current events made it difficult for me as I found myself unmotivated to promote my regular programs. In many of the outreach programs I facilitate, transparency is a common theme. Being transparent allows me to build authentic trust and form healthy relationships with the teens I serve. So, I knew if I facilitated a program that did not address current events, I would be doing my participants, the community and myself a disservice. As a teen librarian, my ultimate goal is to ensure that my department is viewed as a learning center for young adults. If we’re honest with ourselves, we learn the most when we’re uncomfortable and while having tough but important conversations.

Navigating how to have a conversation about race with teens was tricky. I knew a structured program would feel forced and disingenuous. While we’re all getting used to virtual meetings, an open dialogue might not be productive because the online space is a difficult place to exhibit vulnerability. Establishing the trust necessary to have an open discussion about race takes time and a lot of trial and error. 

I began developing my program knowing that for the first session engagement would mostly likely be minimal and so I shifted my measurement of success. To me, this program would be successful if even only one participant felt safe enough to share his or her experiences. I also invited panelists to be a part of the program. Collaborating with people who are dedicated to social change helped me build confidence while providing important suggestions as I developed the program. Ultimately, the program was a success. The panelists offered great insight, and the program participants were actively engaged.

As we navigate the necessary conversations about race and other issues in our community, we need to shift our focus. This is especially true when having these conversations with youth. We shouldn’t shy away from tough conversations because, ultimately, they foster healthy dialogue and true growth. They allow us to connect and build trust with the people who matter most to us. As we collaborate with trusted community members and organizations, we do our part to build a stronger community.

Today, I encourage you to step out of your comfort zone and do something to spark real change in your conversation. Whether it’s attending one of Charlotte Mecklenburg Library’s Black Lives Matter programs or having a tough conversation of your own, just know taking one step today can positively impact your community tomorrow.

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This blog was written by Cearra Harris at the West Boulevard Library branch of Charlotte Mecklenburg Library.

This summer, as part of Engage 2020 programming, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library will introduce a Summer Series in which historians, professors, activists, and community members will provide thought-provoking virtual presentations online through our website and social media channels.

Engage 2020 seeks to bring diverse audiences together through facilitated conversations around important civic issues.  Historian Brenda Tindal will be our first presenter on Monday, June 15 at 7 p.m.  Please join us for her presentation, Sister Soul-diers: African American Women and the Long Civil/Human Rights Struggles, in which Tindal discusses African American women and their long civil and human rights struggles—with a focus on elevating the experiences and voices of the African American women whose activism and advocacy shaped national social justice discourses from the 19^th through the 21^st centuries.

Brenda Tindal is an awarding-winning educator, scholar, and museum practitioner.  She currently serves as director of education and engagement at the International African American Museum in Charleston, SC.  Her previous positions include director of education at the Detroit Historical Society, and staff historian and senior vice president of research and collections at the Levine Museum of the New South here in Charlotte, where she was the first woman and African American to serve in these roles.

Tindal’s presentation will be streamed live on the Library’s Facebook page and will be available afterward for viewing.  We hope you will join the conversation. See event details here.

Did you know that you can continue to stay connected to the Library while staying home? How would you like to participate in a virtual storytime with your family or receive resume help all from the comfort of your couch? Join Charlotte Mecklenburg Library every week for a wide range of virtual programming for children, teens and adults. See a complete listing of this upcoming programming for the week of 6/15/2020 below. Click the corresponding links for more information and register for programs where applicable.

Learn more about online programming by clicking here

Monday 6/15

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

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

Online Listen and Move Storytime – 10:30 a.m. (Children's programming)  Learn More

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

French for Beginners – 11 a.m. (Adult programming)  Register

Virtual Reading Buddies – 11 a.m.  (Children's programming)  Register 

One-on-One Tutoring and Enrichment – 11 a.m. (Children’s programming)  register

Mindful Mondays – 12 p.m. (Adult programming)  register

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

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

Book a Librarian – Technology – 2 p.m. (Adult programming)  register

One-on-One Tutoring and Enrichment - 2:30 p.m. (Children's programming)  register

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

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

Tuesday 6/16              

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

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

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

Cuentos Virtuales en Español - 10:30 a.m. (Children's programming)  register

Book a Librarian - Business Research – 11 a.m. (Adult programming)   register

One-on-One Tutoring and Enrichment - 11 a.m. (Children's programming)  register

Engage 2020: Learning Circles: Women Have Always Worked (Part 2) – 11 a.m.  (Adult programming)  register

Career Development Intensive Coaching – 12 p.m. (Adult programming)   register

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

Creating Virtual Resumes with the Job Help Center – 1 p.m. (Teen and Adult programming)  register

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

Active Reading Training for Caregivers of 2-5 Year Olds  – 2 p.m.  (Adult programming)  register

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

Story Explorers Enrichment – 2 p.m.   (Children's programming)  register

One-on-One Tutoring and Enrichment - 2:30 p.m. (Children's programming)  register

Anime Club – 3 p.m.  (Teen programming)  register

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

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

Spanish Conversation Club – 5 p.m. (Adult programming)   register

Wednesday 6/17

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

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

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

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

Online Listen and Move Storytime – 10:30 a.m. (Children's programming)  Learn More

Virtual Reading Buddies – 11 a.m.  (Children's programming)  Register 

One-on-One Tutoring and Enrichment - 11 a.m. (Children's programming)  register

Learning Circle: Getting Started with Microsoft Excel - 1 p.m.  (Adult programming)  register

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

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

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

One-on-One Tutoring and Enrichment – 2:30 p.m. (Children's programming)  register  

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

Engage 2020: School Age Stories – 3 p.m. (Children's programming)  learn more

Teens LIVE: Career Conversations – 4 p.m. (Teen programming)  Learn more

Charlemos Charlotte: Spanish-English Language Exchange – 6:30 p.m. (Adult programming)  register

Thursday 6/18

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

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

Write Like You Mean It – 10 a.m. (Adult programming)  register

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

Cuentos Virtuales en Español - 10:30 a.m. (Children's programming)   register

Book a Librarian - Business Research – 11 a.m. (Adult programming)  register

Virtual Reading Buddies – 11 a.m.  (Children's programming)   Register 

One-on-One Tutoring and Enrichment - 11 a.m. (Children's programming)  register

Career Development Intensive Coaching – 12 p.m. (Adult programming)  register

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

Creating Virtual Resumes with the Job Help Center – 1 p.m. (Adult and Teen programming)  register  

Spanish Conversation Club – 1 p.m. (Adult programming)  register

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

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

One-on-One Tutoring and Enrichment – 2:30 p.m. (Children's programming)  register 

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

Book Talk: Children's - 3 p.m. (Children's programming)  learn more

Teens LIVE: How to Make Candy Sushi – 6 p.m. (Teen programming)  learn more

Spanish Conversation Club – 6 p.m. (Adult programming)  register  

English Conversation Club - 7 p.m. (Adult programming)  register

Friday 6/19

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

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

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

Baby Storytime – 10:30 a.m. (Children's programming)  learn more

Virtual Reading Buddies – 11 a.m.  (Children's programming)   Register

One-on-One Tutoring and Enrichment – 11 a.m. (Children's programming)  register  

Engage 2020: Juneteenth Lunch and Learn (Virtual) – 12 p.m. (Adult/Teen programming)   register

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

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

One-on-One Tutoring and Enrichment – 2:30 p.m. (Children's programming)  register

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

Writers Conversation Hour – 7 p.m.  (Adult programming)  register

Saturday 6/20

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

Learning Circle: The Science of Wellbeing – 9:30 a.m.  (Adult programming)  register

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

Virtual Reading Buddies – 11 a.m.  (Children's programming)   Register

Loft Leaders Academy is a new teen program offering at Charlotte Mecklenburg Library. Currently the program is based at ImaginOn and serves teens in grades 7-12. Loft Leaders Academy incorporates each of the Library’s programming priority areas (Learning, Literacy, Creativity, Community, and Leadership & Life Skills). This program was designed to equip teens in grades 7-12 with leadership and interpersonal skills to be successful in life, work, college, relationships, and beyond. 

Loft Leaders Academy began in the Fall of 2022 when new staff member, Breeana White saw a need for increased resume-building opportunities for local teens. She sought to discover new ways to use library resources to help teens build social capital through service-based, community-conscious youth leadership development.

The Loft Leaders Academy application opens to a new cohort twice a year in the fall (September) and spring (February). Each accepted Loft Leader will be required to commit to attending and participating in all aspects of the Academy. There are only 10 open slots per cohort.  This program, like all library programs, are free and only requires a commitment of time.

Mission

To equip teens with leadership and interpersonal skills to be successful in life, work, college, relationships, and beyond. 

Vision

To create spaces of learning and opportunity to foster potential in young leaders and make an impact in our community through service-based leadership. 

Statement of Purpose

The Loft Leaders Academy exists to bridge opportunity gaps and increase social capital in urban youth through educational workshops, mentorship, and service-learning.

Program Breakdown

Phase 1 (4 months) – interview process, program kickoff, and monthly educational workshops on the foundations of leadership

• Each applicant is invited to interview. During the interview process, applicants are given an interview tips sheet with interview questions to study. This experience is intended to give participants a feel for what they should expect during a job interview.
• The program is kicked off with an orientation night. All family members are invited, Leaders and parents get to meet each other, and any questions participants have are answered.
• Most workshops materials come from the Powerful Youth leadership curriculum. 

Phase 2 (4 months) - Leadership in Action: monthly meet ups to plan cohort service project, loft mentorship program, Leadership Gala

• Cohort Service Project: The final group activity of the Loft Leaders Academy is the planning and execution of a cohort service project. During Phase 2, Loft Leaders will perform a community needs assessment and learn how to plan a service project. Loft Leaders will use skills learned in Phase 1 and a SMART goals model to assess resources, identify a need, and plan how to effectively meet that need. 
• Loft Mentorship Program: This is a separate, partner program to the Loft Leaders Academy. The mentorship program meets once a month and connects teens with a group of background checked mentors in various career fields. 
• Leadership Gala: Participants are celebrated, and their achievements are recognized in a gala that takes place at the end of Phase 2. The Gala will feature community leader guest speakers. The Gala will also be an opportunity to reflect on each participant's progression towards their individual leadership goals. The Gala is a formal event intended to introduce participants to the experience of participating in a classy event and to set the standard for the excellence we know they can achieve.

Flight Fund

Because of the Flight Fund, our pilot cohort, Cohort 1, was able to utilize a budget to help plan and organize their service project. The teens had never worked with a budget before and were able to get some first-time experience pricing out supplies. Cohort 1 decided to partner with Roof Above to deliver sandwiches to our neighbors experiencing houselessness. Flight Fund money was also used for Cohort 1’s Leadership Gala. Catering was provided to serve our Leaders, their families, and our community leader guests.

Cohort 3

Applications for Cohort 3 of Loft Leaders Academy opens on June 5 and closes on August 22 at 5pm. See more here: https://cmlibrary.bibliocommons.com/events/645fd8cc0e0afc41007421d8

Extension Programs

Inclusive Leadership Workshop Series

• 8-week series, 2x year
• Adapted Loft Leaders Academy workshops geared towards teens with autism with a focus on executive functioning skills.

Summer Open Workshops

• Professional development summer zoom programs, open to all
  • Resume Building
  • Computer Troubleshooting
  • Financial Literacy
  • Career Exploration: Physical Therapy
  • Grassroots Community Organizing

Outreach Programming

• 1x workshops upon request

Testimonials

“I am thrilled and relieved to meet other parents & have my son make new friends.”

-Inclusive Workshops Parent

“This program has been a great confidence builder for my daughter. She always looks forward to going to leadership class with Ms. White”

-Cohort 2 Parent

“This class was outstanding. It pushed my son to thinking about situations that he might come across in the future.”

-Inclusive Workshops Parent

[Loft Leaders Academy] has provided a safe space for him to look forward to coming to for friendship, mentoring, and love.’"

-Cohort 1 Parent

“Loft leaders showed me how I could lead my group into action and how to plan everything out it was an amazing feeling to also have my new friends/teammates work with me on this project where we all take turns of being leader I would like to thank loft leaders very much for this experience.”

-Cohort 1 Loft Leader

“I had some concerns starting the program. Would my child be able to work with their peers? Would their learning disability allow them to achieve the leadership goals of the group? Can my child really become a leader? The answer is YES to all these concerns and I am so very proud of them. Thank you making these opportunities available. Thank you for supporting the self esteem of kids with disabilities. Thank you for teaching them the value of helping the community and being a part of the solution. Thank you for being you! Without the library and it's fantastic programs that only happen because of the fantastic librarians, our lives would not be so enriched in learning, growing and love!”

-Cohort 1 Parent