ImaginOn and Founders Hall Library will be closed May 2-4 for the Lovin’ Life Music Fest.

Mecklenburg Library logo
Translate site
Mecklenburg Library logo
Translate site
140 of 2122 results

Fun and Prizes this Summer with Summer Break

June 12, 2023

Summer Break starts June 1st and ends July 31st. Register for the challenge online by visiting cmlibrary.beanstack.org or downloading the app, Beanstack Tracker. Your account allows you to track reading time and learning activities to collect virtual badges. Even tracking Queen Charlotte can be logged into Beanstack as an activity. There is fun and incentives for everyone this summer!

For our youngest community members there is an updated Bingo challenge for Wee Readers (age 0-4). Track reading and activities using the app or a bingo card picked up at any branch! Wee Readers who complete the challenge by completing the entire bingo board get to choose a book.

This year there are some fantastic prizes for participating and completing Summer Break thanks to our sponsors: Wendy’s, Charlotte Football Club, and the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Foundation. Just for registering participants receive a Wendy’s Frosty Jr. Coupon and a Charlotte Football Club sticker!

New this year are mid-level prizes! When a participant earns 600 points, they’re eligible for a Charlotte Football Club Sports Flyer (ages 5-17) or a magnetic bookmark (ages 18+).

Completing the challenge (earning 1200 points), children and teen participants can choose between a book or water bottle. Adults can choose between a water bottle, drawstring bag, or a notebook with a pen.  All prizes are available while supplies last.

Saving the best for last! There are two bonus prizes for participants and readers ages 5 to 17! A drawing for a 4-pack of tickets to a Charlotte Football Club game, with one 4-pack per branch! The second bonus prize is for the top 20 readers of Summer Break, they will be given the opportunity to tour the Charlotte Football Club stadium.

Sign up today and start logging your reading and activities to join in on the fun and help us reach our community reading goal of 10 million minutes!

Exciting Programs

Though our Summer Break 2023 program can be completed entirely online, our libraries are hosting some wonderful programs this summer. Check out these upcoming programs.

Comments? Questions?

Are you having problems with the Summer Break 2023 website or your account?  Do you have questions about the program?  Feel free to call your local branch or email us at [email protected] for help or feedback.

The 2023 Summer Break program is brought to you by Charlotte Mecklenburg Library with additional support from Wendy’s, Charlotte Football Club and the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Foundation.    

Commemoration of Emancipation by African Americans in North Carolina, 1865-1920

June 16, 2023

 

Before there was Juneteenth, there was Emancipation Day: January 1st, 1863, the day the Emancipation Proclamation went into effect. The only public celebrations on the first Emancipation Day took place in Northern cities, where persons in flight from slavery gathered to watch for midnight on New Year’s Eve, 1862. With the coming of January 1st, the terms of the Emancipation Proclamation came into effect, and escaped slaves would be delivered from the threat of arrest and transportation to a slave state. The Proclamation stripped slave-owners in rebel states, at least, of the right to reclaim fugitives as stolen property.  

 

"Waiting for the Hour"<br /> About twenty escaped slaves crowd around a pulpit. On the wall is a clock to show when midnight of the New Year will arrive. The Emancipation Proclamation went into effect on Jan. 1, 1863

 

On the second anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation – January 1, 1865 – the Civil War was still being fought and Abraham Lincoln was alive and well in the White House. Black people in North Carolina knew better than to celebrate a Proclamation by the Commander in Chief of the opposing side, but New Bern, NC, offered different circumstances. Federal forces occupied the town and they – the Union soldiers – organized and oversaw a celebration of the anniversary that included local freedmen.   

 

The first peacetime celebration of emancipation in North Carolina that was led by the freedmen themselves took place in Wilmington in January of 1866. 

 

The previous month had seen two momentous changes regarding slavery and the law. On December 5th, 1865, the thirteenth amendment had been ratified by enough states to be added to the Constitution of the United States. It made the abolition of slavery permanent throughout the nation. Three weeks later, the voters of North Carolina added an amendment to the state constitution abolishing slavery in the state. These actions closed the door to the possibility of undoing the Emancipation Proclamation, either at the federal or the state level. 

 

On Emancipation Day, 1866, freedmen and freedwomen got their first chance to express their relief at the end of the war and their hope for building new lives after enslavement. 

 

“We understand that a grand celebration by the colored population is to take place on the first of January,” said an editorial in the Wilmington Herald. Indeed, it was. When Emancipation Day came, the Black community of Wilmington turned out, and people from the surrounding rural areas came in to join them. 

 

The rejoicing crowd staged a procession through the streets. They were led by a band and carried banners to show what they believed in: “The Emancipation Proclamation: This We Celebrate,” “Abraham Lincoln, Our Martyred President,” “and “Equal Justice.” This last one expressed the marchers’ demand for recognition of themselves as full citizens of the United States. The 14th Amendment would promise just that, and Congress enacted it later that year. 

 

The Wilmington celebration was built on the model that was pioneered in New Bern and adopted by Black communities in other North Carolina cities: a parade led by a band, an excited crowd of all ages, and speeches. These elements of the celebration would appear every year in towns throughout the state. Enthusiasm for the celebration of Emancipation Day did not wane until the 1920s. By then, according to A History of African Americans in North Carolina by Jeffrey Crow, “younger Blacks began to question the continued commemoration of Emancipation Day. 

 

In Texas, however, the local holiday of “Juneteenth” persisted. It kept alive the idea of a day to celebrate emancipation and became a national holiday in 2021.

 

- Written by Tom Cole, Robinson-Spangler Carolina Room

Lots to do at your local branch this Summer!

June 21, 2023

There are a few reasons to visit library locations this summer. One main reason is the branch displays. All year long librarians create amazing displays to pique your interest and summer is no different. Except for the added “oomph” of excitement.

 

 

 

Need a summer activity to record into Beanstack? Head over to your favorite location and see what books are being featured. Better yet, take a tour of all the branches to see their summer displays.

Take pictures and share them with others on your Library Tour. Just don’t forget to check out a book, read, and record your minutes on Beanstack.

Let’s reach 10 Million Minutes! To find out more about Summer Break or to log your reading and activities go to cmlibrary.beanstack.org.

Exciting Programs

Though our Summer Break 2023 program can be completed entirely online, our libraries are hosting some wonderful programs this summer. Check out the Summer Break tag on our online calendar! All upcoming programs can be viewed here.

During the summer, many branches host presenters like Parks and Recreation, Mad Science, Frontline Puppeteers, and many more! Check with your local branch or click here to see what presenters are coming to Charlotte Mecklenburg Library this summer!

Comments? Questions?

Are you having problems with the Summer Break 2023 website or your account?  Do you have questions about the program?  Feel free to call your local branch or email us at [email protected] for help or feedback.

The 2023 Summer Break program is brought to you by Charlotte Mecklenburg Library with additional support from Wendy’s, Charlotte Football Club and the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Foundation.    

Access over 30,000 independent movies and documentaries with the Library and Kanopy.

Access over 30,000 independent movies and documentaries with the Library and Kanopy

August 18, 2022

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 20th- 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!

What can you do with a Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Card? Wonder no more this September during Library Card Sign-up Month.

No Library card? Grab one this September.

August 30, 2022

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!

Remembering Queen Elizabeth II

Remembering Queen Elizabeth II

September 9, 2022

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

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage with Charlotte Mecklenburg Library

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage with Charlotte Mecklenburg Library

September 12, 2022

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.

Charlotte Mecklenburg Library offers bilingual resources for students and families

Access bilingual resources for the entire family at the Library

September 14, 2022

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