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Get to know the community surrounding Hickory Grove Library and all it has to offer.

Get to know the Hickory Grove Branch community

January 13, 2022

The Hickory Grove Branch Library is located on the Eastside of Charlotte, NC. This vibrant and eclectic neighborhood connects deeply with the immigrant community with everything from diverse restaurants and grocery stores to language immersion schools and of course, the library itself. The Hickory Grove Branch has a large world language collection for all ages with Spanish being the largest number of items represented in the collection. Additionally, ten other languages are represented including Vietnamese, Chinese, French, Japanese and Korean.

Charlotte Mecklenburg Library, Hickory Grove Branch in Charlotte, NC |  Reader's DigestWithin just a couple of miles from the library, this community has two Spanish language immersion education programs. Charlotte Bilingual Preschool for ages three through five has provided innovative solutions for preparing Spanish-speaking children for success in school by providing superior dual language, multi-cultural early childhood education. And they have been providing this educational service in the Hickory Grove neighborhood for over twenty-two years. In the other direction, located in the old Eastland Mall Parking lot, is the Charlotte East Language Academy for kindergarten through eighth grade.  The school was established in 2018 and is a Title I school.

The Hickory Grove neighborhood has several community organizations dedicated to helping newcomers settle into life here in the Queen City. OurBRIDGE for Kids is a nonprofit organization that supports the immigrant and refugee community in Charlotte by providing afterschool programming and other community-based initiatives. The Latin American Coalition is a community of Latin Americans, immigrants and allies that promotes full and equal participation of all people in the civic, economic, and cultural life of North Carolina through education, celebration and advocacy. Finally, the Simmons YMCA New American Welcome Center is designed to provide a combination of services and strategies to connect and enhance cross-cultural understanding. With a focus on language and education, employment, health and wellbeing, citizenship and civic engagement, and the Y helps empower immigrants to achieve their full potential.

black snake - Picture of Charlotte Museum of History - TripadvisorEast Charlotte is also home to the Charlotte History Museum. This museum features programs and exhibits that explore important civic themes and how their meaning has evolved over time, including ideals of liberty, freedom, equity, justice, democracy, and citizenship. The museum sits on an eight-acre wooded campus and it is also the site of the oldest surviving house in Mecklenburg County, the Rock House, which was built circa 1774 for the Hezekiah Alexander household. And if you need to grab a bite after a day at the museum, Antoine James, the Access Services Manager at Hickory Grove, highly recommends our area for its food and restaurants. His favorite? Why Not Pizza located right next door to Hickory Grove Library. They have everything from pizza and pasta, to subs and wings. It is a staff favorite for sure!

New to Charlotte? Explore other neighborhoods through the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library blog and WelcomeCLT, a digital space created for newcomers to Charlotte.

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This blog written by Lonna Vines, children's librarian for Charlotte Mecklenburg Library.

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Get to Know the Allegra Westbrooks Regional Community

September 8, 2023

Situated conveniently off I-85 and Beatties Ford Road, Allegra Westbrooks Regional Library is located in the Lincoln Heights community in Charlotte’s Historic West End.

Formerly Beatties Ford Road Regional Library, Allegra Westbrooks Regional is the only Charlotte Mecklenburg Library named for an individual. Ms. Westbrooks began her career with the Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County in 1947. Prior to desegregation, she managed the only library serving African American residents in Charlotte at the time—the Brevard Street Library for Negroes. Ms. Westbrooks was promoted to Supervisor of Branches in 1957, making her the first African American public library supervisor in North Carolina. She served in this role for many years until her retirement in 1984. Ms. Westbrooks passed away in April 2017 at the age of 96.

Allegra Westbrooks Regional Library welcomes customers from many neighborhoods along and around busy Beatties Ford Road serving a diverse community of readers, learners, job seekers, entrepreneurs, community leaders, and more. A variety of library programs are offered including multiple book clubs, a multigenerational chess club, technology classes, and Storytime among others. Collections include a diverse selection of materials such as fiction and non-fiction titles in multiple world languages, African-American fiction collection and African-American and religion non-circulating collections.

Located just over a mile away from the Library is Johnson C. Smith University, Charlotte’s only   historically Black college/university (HBCU) and West Complex,  “the largest culturally centered placemaking project on the West Side.” Unique community organizations like For the Struggle, Inc.  and Beatties Ford Road Vocational Training Center can also be found just blocks away from Allegra Westbrooks Regional. Well-established eateries like West End Fresh Seafood Market and Original Chicken and Ribs along with newcomer Archive CLT, a local staff favorite.

New residents may find support through the Office of Equity, Mobility, and Immigrant Integration , Refugee Health – Mecklenburg County Public Health, and Refugee Support Services. Are you new to Charlotte? Explore other neighborhoods through the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library blog and WelcomeCLT, a digital space created for newcomers to Charlotte.

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This blog post was written by Alesha Lackey, regional manager for Charlotte Mecklenburg Library.

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Banned Book Story Time at Charlotte Museum of History

September 12, 2023

*This blog was compiled with information from charlottemuseum.org*

Censorship of information in public libraries and schools has become a hot topic for debate in recent months. While we haven’t yet had to implement these ‘book bans’ here in Charlotte, we are certainly witnessing a significant moment in our country’s history as lengthy lists of accredited authors and titles are prohibited from public and educational spaces. Charlotte Mecklenburg Library and Charlotte Museum of History have partnered to bring these beloved and incredibly important stories to readers of all levels in the Charlotte community: introducing Banned Book Story Time!

Join us for one “banned” title a month and share in the magic of storytelling. Learn about key moments in our history, expose your young readers to new perspectives, encourage creativity and imagination, and excite their love of reading!

Each program will differ in theme so there is always something new and exciting to look forward to. All programs will include an interactive ‘banned book’ storytime session with a Charlotte Mecklenburg Library representative, and a supplementary activity to reinforce that month’s theme. Let’s put an end to censorship by celebrating the many stories, people, cultures, and perspectives that make up our diverse Charlotte community (and beyond!).

All storytimes are free and located at the Charlotte Museum of History. The following dates are the scheduled storytimes (click the links to register): 

The Charlotte Museum of History saves and shares the Charlotte region’s history, connecting the past to current issues and opportunities. We believe a shared understanding of the past can enrich the community’s future, and we work to tell the stories of all parts of our community and all those who have inhabited our area.

The museum sits on an eight-acre wooded campus in fast-changing East Charlotte. It’s the site of the oldest surviving house in Mecklenburg County, the Rock House built circa 1774 for the Hezekiah Alexander household. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places and a designated local landmark, the house is Charlotte’s only remaining structure from the days of the Revolutionary period. Nearby are a relocated barn dating to the era, a reproduction log kitchen, and a reconstructed two-story springhouse. Tours of the site and museum programs highlight how people lived during that era and tell of the many cultures that came together to build Charlotte, including the stories of Black, Indigenous, and immigrant communities.

Find more at Charlotte Museum of History Events

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Celebrate Hispanic Heritage with Charlotte Mecklenburg Library

September 13, 2023

This blog was updated September 5, 2023 to reflect current Census data.

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

Did you know that Hispanic Americans make up the largest immigrant group in the United States? In Mecklenburg County, an estimated 14% of the population, or 157,118 residents, is Hispanic.

Each year, from September 15 to October 15, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library joins in the national celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, but we believe in celebrating el ritmo (the rhythm) of Hispanic culture yearlong! We honor the contributions of American citizens from Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean, according to the Library of Congress’ official website. Need resources or looking for ways to celebrate Hispanic culture and the Latinx community? We provide a few resources below.

Curious to learn about the rich, cultural presence and contributions of Hispanic people in the Queen City? Click here to read Con A de Arte: A history of Hispanic Presence in Charlotte which takes a closer look our culturally rich neighbors.

Looking for a great book that explores Hispanic culture? Click here to dive into curated book lists that cover topics for children, teens and adults – including detective and mystery fiction, Young Adult (YA) books with Latinx Voices and other Spanish-English bilingual reads.

In collaboration with Cine Casual (www.cinecasual.com), a Charlotte-based site that specializes in Ibero-American cinema, you can find a curated a list of books and films that tell the struggles of being Hispanic/Latinx in the United States, while also highlighting and celebrating the pride and accomplishments of the community.

As always, you can explore our calendar of events to see what programs and activities are coming up in celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month. 

Looking for events around town? Check out the Latin American Coalition's 33nd Festival Latinoamericano on September 23, 2023 in Charlotte's east side and the 11th annual Hola Charlotte Festival hosted by Norsan Media in Uptown Charlotte on October 7, 2023.

We look forward to celebrating with you this month. Visit cmlibrary.org for more events, news and updates.

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 Este blog se actualizó el 5 de septiembre de 2023 para reflejar los datos actuales del censo.

Este blog fue escrito por Darrell Anderson, especialista en marketing y comunicaciones de la biblioteca Charlotte Mecklenburg.

¿Sabía que los hispanoamericanos conforman el grupo de inmigrantes más grande de los EE. UU.? En el condado de Mecklenburg, se calcula que un 14 % de la población, es decir, 157,118 residentes, son hispanos.

Cada año, desde el 15 de septiembre hasta el 15 de octubre, la biblioteca Charlotte Mecklenburg se une a la celebración nacional del Mes de la Herencia Hispana, pero ¡creemos en celebrar el ritmo de la cultura hispana todo el año! Rendimos homenaje a los aportes de ciudadanos americanos de México, América Central, América del Sur y el Caribe, según se indica en el sitio web oficial de la Biblioteca del Congreso. ¿Necesita recursos o busca maneras de celebrar la cultura hispana y la comunidad latina? A continuación, encontrará algunos recursos.

¿Siente curiosidad por aprender acerca de la rica presencia cultural y los aportes de los hispanos en Queen City? Haga clic aquí para leer Con A de Arte: A history of Hispanic Presence in Charlotte (Con A de Arte: la historia de la presencia hispana en Charlotte) que analiza en detalle a nuestros vecinos rebosantes de cultura.

¿Busca un buen libro para descubrir la cultura hispana? Haga clic aquí para descubrir listas de libros seleccionados que cubren temas para niños, adolescentes y adultos, incluso ficción detectivesca y de misterio, libros para jóvenes adultos con voces latinas y otras lecturas bilingües en español y en inglés.

En colaboración con Cine Casual (www.cinecasual.com), un sitio con sede en Charlotte que se especializa en cine iberoamericano, podrá encontrar una lista de libros y películas seleccionados que detallan las dificultades de ser hispano o latino en los Estados Unidos, al mismo tiempo que destaca y celebra el orgullo y los logros de la comunidad.

Como siempre, puede explorar nuestro calendario de eventos para ver qué programas y actividades habrá para celebrar el Mes Nacional de la Herencia Hispana. 

¿En busca de eventos en la ciudad? Visite el 33.º Festival Latinoamericano de la Coalición Latinoamericana el 23 de septiembre de 2023 en el área este de Charlotte y el 11.º Hola Charlotte Festival anual organizado por Norsan Media en Uptown Charlotte el 7 de octubre de 2023.

Esperamos celebrar este mes juntos. Visite cmlibrary.org para descubrir más eventos, novedades y actualizaciones.

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Celebrating Poetry Month with Art at Myers Park Library

March 13, 2023

This blog was written by Mimi Curlee, adult librarian with Charlotte Mecklenburg Library, in March 2023

 

April is National Poetry Month. If you haven’t experienced any poetry since “Roses are red, violets are blue….” we encourage you to expand your poetry experience this month. The Myers Park Library has invited artist Justin Klaus to create an art installation celebrating the poetry of Dionne D. Hunter.

 

Facing the intersection of Queens and Providence roads, the artist has stretched shrinkwrap between 3 trees. He's spray painted a stanza from the poem “I’m at that Age” by local poet Dionne D. Hunter. He also sprain painted her portrait! 

 

All ages are invited to Celebrate Poetry Month with Dionne D. Hunter for a reading of the poem at on Tuesday, April 25th at 4:00pm. School age children created a sign that points foot traffic from the parking lot to the art installation. The installation will remain up for two weeks, weather permitting.

 

Please join us at this intersection of poetry, art, paint, and creativity to celebrate! 

 

I’m at that Age
by Dionne D. Hunter

 

I’m at the age where I appreciate every sunrise, sunset and all the hours 
in between

 

The age that causes me to notice the rhythmic timing of each breath

 

Each one serving as a reminder to thank God for allowing me to see
another day…

 

I’m at that age where things have start to stiffen up and maybe I don’t
move as fluently as I did at twenty two

 

But I’m also at that age where I realize so many people didn’t even get to
see today
So, I pray on bent and aching knee
Thank You Lord for Blessing me

 

I’m at that age where I see my kids making some of the same mistakes
that I did
And have to remind myself that though never easy
I made it through and so will they

 

I’m at that age where I understand that money will never buy true
happiness
But I’m also at that age where I understand that it definitely does help to
have a bit

 

I’m at that age where 6 pack abs still attract
But I’m also at that age where the actions of a true gentleman stops me
in my tracks

 

I’m at that age where I know what it means to be a Woman and how to
treat my Man

 

Beginning with listening to him while he explains what he needs from
me
Because, although there may be many similarities
All men are not the same

 

I’m at that age where I know good things don’t come to those who wait
They go to those who Plan, Work, Educate, Sacrifice, and repeat
rigorously over and over, and over again

 

I’m at that age where I appreciate spending time with my entire family
Whether we’re on good terms or not
Because I’m at that age where I’ve begun to lose so many people that I
care about.

 

I’m at that age where I’m bearing down on that age when more chapters
of my life will be in past instead of future tense
But I’m also at that age where I refuse to give up
I continue to strive
To Climb
To Improve
To Share and Create
Baring my Soul to the Universe
Honoring my Ancestors
My God and Myself
By becoming the best version of me possible
Striving to be MORE!
Loving!
Caring!
Patient and Nonjudgmental!
Because I’m at that age….

 

While you’re waiting, find some poetry to read. How can you resist titles such as How to Fly (in Ten Thousand Easy Lessons) by Barbara Kingsolver and The Courage of a Butterfly by Edmond E. Frank. Click this list for more recommendations.

 

Bios:

 Justin Klaus, aka J Voc is a local Charlotte artist specializing in acrylic, aerosol murals and original paintings. His love of bright colors finds its way into almost all of his work; including abstracts, landscapes, and portraits. J Voc is a self-taught artist who believes you should never stop learning or seeking to use your talents and skills to lift others up. While he does offer commissioned work of all kinds, Justin most enjoys creating pieces that edify the soul; evoking thoughts and emotions of Love, Joy, Unity, and Freedom. When he’s not painting, you will likely find him on a skateboard, surfboard, or bike. You can see more of his work on Instagram @jvoc_art and at www.jvocart.com.

 

 

 

Dionne D Hunter is an Author, Poet, and Spoken Word Artist who is also proud to be a United States Navy Veteran, mother of two and grandmother of four. She’s the author of a short story titled “I am a Dahomey Warrior!” which follows the life of a young girl growing up in Africa prior to its colonization. In addition, Ms. Hunter’s poetry has been published in several anthologies, and she was a finalist for the 2022 inaugural position of Charlotte North Carolina Poet Laureate. To contact Ms. Hunter please email [email protected]

 

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South County Regional Library Anniversary Blog

September 19, 2023

South County Regional Library celebrates its 25-year anniversary on Sunday, Sept. 24 from 1-4 p.m. The Library, located at 5801 Rea Road, at the intersection of Rea Road and Pineville-Matthews Road, opened its doors to the public on September 20, 1998.    

Since then, some things have changed. There are no aquariums on the second floor anymore, but there is a makerspace with 3D printers, a vinyl cutter, and a laser cutter. The water sculpture hanging above the stairs and the enormous teal eel have gone, but public art, created by North Carolina artist and sculptor Jim Gallucci, Open Book, Open Mind was installed during the 2021 renovation.   

Customers and community members are invited on Sunday to celebrate the Library and its presence in the community. Visit MoLi (CML’s mobile library) or the Detour Coffee truck, stop to watch a demonstration of the Bob Ross style of art, walk along the photo gallery of South County’s history, or look for the newly displayed artwork provided through a new partnership with the Charlotte Art League.  

There’s a bit of something for everyone this Sunday at South County Regional! Learn more at https://cmlibrary.bibliocommons.com/events/64cbd4a9c102fe4100a2455f.