This blog was written by Serena Guest, library collections associate, at Charlotte Mecklenburg Library.

Did you know that with your Charlotte Mecklenburg Library card you have access to over 30,000 independent movies and documentaries? Kanopy offers a multitude of titles for your viewing pleasure and Charlotte Mecklenburg Library customers can view up to 6 films per month. Learn more about Kanopy here.

Check out the top five titles Charlotte Mecklenburg Library users have viewed and enjoyed over the past month:

As They Made Us (2022) - Abigail (Dianna Agron), a divorced mother of two, who is struggling to balance the dynamic forces within her dysfunctional family as she attempts to cultivate new love. This movie is rated R.

A Promise (2013) - Alan Rickman stars in this simmering early 20^th- century love story about a triangle between an aging factory owner, his young bride (Rebecca Hall) and his handsome protégé. This movie is rated R.

Spencer (2021) The marriage of Princess Diana (Kristen Stewart) and Prince Charles (Jack Farthing) has long since grown cold. Though rumors of affairs and a divorce abound, peace is ordained for Christmas festivities at the Queen’s Sandringham Estate. But this year, things will be profoundly different. Spencer is the imagining of what might have happened during those few fateful days. This movie is rated R.

God’s Pocket (2014) - Philip Seymour Hoffman and Christina Hendricks star in this deliciously twisted comedy about life and death on the mean streets of Philadelphia. This movie is rated R.

Monster Be Good! (2012) - With Monster Be Good!, little ones are invited to lead some wily monsters into becoming more well-behaved happy creatures. This short kids movie is rated G and also available in Spanish and Hindi.

Happy viewing!

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

September is Library Card Sign-up Month, a time when libraries encourage community members (parents, caregivers, students – everyone) to sign up for a library card as the first step towards academic achievement and lifelong learning.

Charlotte Mecklenburg Library offers millions of resources including books, music, movies, creative materials, digital resources and programs (in-person and online) – all for FREE with a Library card. Signing up for a Library card is easy and anybody can do it. CLICK HERE to sign up for a Library card and download the CMLibrary mobile app on your tablet or smartphone. Use the app to place holds, access resources and much more.

Check out just a small sampling of all the Library has to offer:

FREE Digital Resources

The Library is a tremendous one-stop shop, not just for books but for digital resources and so much more. Whether you need resources for your small business or just want to stream the newest hit music, the Library has a vast catalog of digital resources to fit your needs. You can access online tutoring and homework help for children through Tutor.com or find the resources to support a new (or existing) business venture with LinkedIn Learning. Maybe you want to perfect an existing skill - or learn a new one - with Universal Class or learn a new language with Transparent Language. When you have a Charlotte Mecklenburg Library card, you can access a multitude of online resources for FREE.

Do you enjoy watching movies or listening to music? Film and music buffs can benefit from a Library card, too. With the kanopy, OverDrive/Libby, hoopla and Freegal Music apps – again, available for FREE with a Library card, you can stream or download films, documentaries and the newest songs. Stream the latest from Beyoncé, Bad Bunny and classic Pink Floyd? Yep. Rediscover the literary works of Jane Austen, Isabel Allende and John Grisham? Absolutely.

The Library has it all.

ACCESS RESOURCES

Value Like No Other

Are you curious about how much money a Library card can really save you? $100? $300? Even up to $1,000! Subscription services can be pricey and tend to add up over the course of a calendar year, not to mention how much you might spend on books, magazines and music. There’s no need to pay for subscription services ever again. See how much you can save with the Library by using the Library Value Calculator. Input the number of books, magazines, DVDs, music and resources you’ve purchased or used in a year, and you’ll be amazed at how much you could save by switching to the Library. The numbers don’t lie; a Library card is a great value!

Online Programming from the Library

Did you know that you can participate in Library programming even while staying home? The Library is always here to support the community online, 24/7. Join us for a online storytime with your family or receive resume help all from the comfort of your couch. The Library offers a wide range of online programming for children, teens and adults on a daily basis.

See our listing of upcoming programs below.

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO REGISTER FOR PROGRAMS CLICK HERE

Get a Card Today

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

So, now that you know everything you can do with your Library card, what are you waiting for? Join Charlotte Mecklenburg Library and get your Library card today!

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

Ascending to the throne in 1952 at the age of 26, Queen Elizabeth II served the British people for 70 years. She was the longest-reigning monarch in Britain's history. Learn more about the life and legacy of Queen Elizabeth, the Royal House of Windsor and a history of the monarchy with a curated selection of resources from the Library:

Remembering Queen Elizabeth booklist

Getting to know Britain's Royal family booklist

(Queen Elizabeth II at her 1952 coronation. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.)

Additional resources on the Queen and next steps for the Royal Family below:

The Queen's Life and Reign

Death of Queen Elizabeth, a day-by-day guide

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.

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

Charlotte Mecklenburg Library offers a variety of ways to immerse students in 15 different languages including Spanish, Chinese, German, and others. Along with physical copies of books, audio books, magazines, etc., the Library has the following resources and services available to support the development of educational bilingual learning:

CultureGrams details daily life and culture, including history, customs and lifestyles on more than 200 countries. You can browse by Region, Country or Continent. Use the built-in translate tool to read information in other languages.

Access

Kanopy Kids informs and assists in developing empathy, mindfulness and self-esteem through entertaining and educational videos. Categories include TV Series, Learning Languages, Animated Storybooks, Anime, Classic Films and Movies.

Access

MakeMake is a collection of e-books in Spanish for youth ages 3-15. Additionally, the interface is in Spanish and most titles are books written by Latin American writers. Click “Explorar” to expand the browsing options. Accessible on your phone or tablet.

Access

NC Kids Digital Library offers e-books, audiobooks, streaming videos and Read-Alongs. This collection was specifically designed for pre-K through 4th grade. The advanced search feature allows filtering by subject, language, reading level, format and much more.

Access

TumbleBooks is a collection of animated, talking picture books. TumbleBooks can be read by you or to you! The collection includes story books, non-fiction books, graphic novels, puzzles and games. Go to the Language “Learning Tab” to see books in French and Spanish.

Access

Tutor.com offers free homework help from a live, online, qualified tutor—up to 10 free tutoring sessions each week! Students can get help in English or Spanish in a wide range of subjects including math, science, English, social studies and essay review. Tutors available from 4 p.m. to 12 a.m.

Access

Transparent Language combines robust courses, supplemental vocabulary, extensive grammar resources and mobile apps for a complete language-learning experience.

Access

World Book Encyclopedia Online includes games, stories and activities. Information is read aloud when “moused over” or touched. Go to the “Enciclopedia Estudiantil Hallazgos” for Spanish content.

Access

This blog post was written by Sally Deason, Librarian for Charlotte Mecklenburg Library.

The Mint Hill Branch Library is in the heart of Mint Hill and has been the home away from home for Mint Hill residents for over 60 years.  As the first town founded in Mecklenburg County, Mint Hill took shape in 1750 and built a solid community foundation. Mint Hill’s growing population now boasts over 26,000 diverse residents. Once a hub of farming and dairy production, Mint Hill is still surrounded by farmland and heavily wooded neighborhoods. It offers homegrown entertainment in a quiet community.  

Part of the Charlotte metropolitan, the hopping suburb of Mint Hill is settled just outside of the city in the southeastern portion of Mecklenburg County.  Popular town activities include the annual Mint Hill Madness festival, Scarecrow contest, weekly farmers market, Christmas parade and more.  The Mint Hill Chamber of Commerce supports new businesses and promotes all commerce in the area as well as highlights nonprofit organizations. The Town Hall sits just down the road from the library in a recently constructed facility. Adjacent to that, is the new police station. All of these are within walking distance to neighborhoods, banks, shops, restaurants (including the Carolina Creamery- yum) and your local library! Don’t forget to dig up some old-time fun with the Mint Hill Historical Society.  

Just outside of the main intersection of Lawyers Road and Matthews-Mint Hill Rd, you will find several wonderful parks. Both the Mint Hill Park on Wilgrove as well as the Mint Hill Veterans Memorial Parks are maintained by the town of Mint Hill. The new Stevens Creek Nature Preserve is part of the Mecklenburg County Parks and Recreation division. All offer wonderful outdoor options for the family. Further towards Albemarle Road you will find the Simmons YMCA with the New Americans Welcome Center. The closest US Post Office is near the intersection of Lawyers Road and Wilson Grove Road, but there is a blue mailbox in front of the Mint Hill Barber Shop.  

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

Resources:

Mint Hill Branch Library | 6840 Matthews-Mint Hill Rd, Mint Hill, NC 28227 | 704-416-5200

Chamber of Commerce | 7900 Matthews-Mint Hill Rd bldg 2 ste b, Mint Hill, NC 28227 |704-573-8282

Mint Hill Parks & Recreation | 4430 Mint Hill Village Lane, Mint Hill, NC 28227 | 704-545-9726

Mint Hill Police Department | 7151 Matthews-Mint Hill Rd. Mint Hill, NC 28227 | 704-545-1085

Mint Hill Women’s Club | MHWC at 14601 Barney Dr, Mint Hill NC 28227

Mint Hill Historical Society | 7601 Matthews-Mint Hill Rd, Mint Hill, NC 28227 | 704-583-0726

Servant’s Heart | N 9229, Lawyers Rd, Mint Hill, NC 28227 | 704-680-6533

Simmons YMCA | 6824 Democracy Dr, Charlotte, NC 28212 | 704-716-6600

Town of Mint Hill | 4430 Mint Hill Village Lane, Mint Hill, NC 28227 | 704-545-9726

It’s Spooky Season at Charlotte Mecklenburg Library! Let us help you build a spooky collection of e-books, audiobooks music and more with our digital resource, hoopla. Ready to have a spooktacular time? Check out these curated playlists and booklists below:

Halloween Party Playlists: Access here

Halloween for Kids: Access here

Supernatural Scares: Access here