This blog was written by Elyse Berrier, program coordinator for the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library.

Charlotte Mecklenburg Library has always been a trusted provider of educational resources and services. With a growing catalog of over 700,000 items, as well as online learning resources, programs, and services, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library’s mission to improve lives and build a stronger community remains at the forefront of programming for all learners in our community.  

According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress, the Nation’s Report Card providing important information about student achievement and learning experiences in various subjects, there has been little change in fourth grade reading scores from 1992-current. Data from Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools reports that 28.5% of third graders are defined as College and Career Ready in Reading. As a response to this ever-growing need in our community, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library is implementing a new program called the Student Success Center this fall.

The Student Success Center will be a physical learning space that will open in Library locations at least one afternoon every week. Trained volunteers will work with students in kindergarten-fifth grades who will seek help in one of these three ways: Homework Help, Skills Practice and tutor.com login help.

The fall semester will begin September 18^th and run through December 15^th. The Library plans to utilize their strengths through this program: providing physical welcoming learning spaces, providing high quality learning resources and tools, and uniting the community to provide this support. For the initial launch this fall semester, six Library locations will open a Student Success Center, with a plan to add five more Library locations each semester, with a goal for all Library locations to have a Student Success Center available to the community by Spring of 2025. For more information about the Student Success Center and how to volunteer, visit https://cmlibrary.org/services/student-success-center.

As the name of these spaces- Student Success Centers- suggest, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library remains committed to the success of students in our community, a task not taken lightly. Do you have a student in elementary school that needs support? Visit the Student Success Center this fall!

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.    

Read! Learn! Explore! Books! Fun! Challenge! Prizes! Just a few words to describe Summer Break!

Every year it takes a whole team working behind the scenes to bring Summer Break to Charlotte Mecklenburg Library! Staff work on building the online challenge; create, sort and distribute incentives and marketing materials to branches; build engaging displays; and attend community events just to list a few things staff do to create and promote this fun community challenge!

So much work is put into the program for multiple reasons but the best part about Summer Break for staff is hearing from participants about all the amazing, wonderful, little, powerful, or unexpected ways that the community challenge and the library has impacted their lives.

Want to share what you love and enjoy about the library or Summer Break? Send us an email at [email protected], use the Contact Us form on Beanstack, or share your feedback with staff next time you visit the library.

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.