On Sunday, February 18, at Beatties Ford Regional Library, more than 125 people turned out for the rededication of the Elizabeth S. Randolph Community Room.  Congresswoman Alma Adams, State Senator Joyce Waddell, City Councilman Justin Harlow and School Board Members Thelma Byers Bailey were present, along with many civic leaders including Thereasea Elder.  Library Trustee Rob Harrington represented the Library Board. 

After a welcome from Branch Manager Alecia Williams and Director of Libraries David Singleton, Reverend Ricky Woods of First Baptist Church West delivered the invocation. Two local teens who use the Library sang “I Rise Up.” 

In her remarks, Congresswoman Adams reflected on the role of African American women and some of the struggles that Randolph faced during her lifetime.  

Sheila Bumgarner of the Library's Robinson-Spangler Carolina Room provided background on An African American Album, the landmark photographic history edited by Randolph, which the Library published in 1992.  Framed photographs from the book were displayed throughout the room.  

Doris Williams, President of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Alpha Lambda Omega Chapter, provided remarks on Ms. Randolph’s role in the sorority and in the greater community, celebrating many of the firsts that Randolph accomplished.

In the afternoon's biggest surprise, a local woman who is over 100 years old stood up and shared her memories of Randolph. They were born just a few months apart in 1917. 

City Councilman Justin Harlow read a proclamation from the City of Charlotte celebrating Randolph.

Finally, Congresswoman Adams and Rob Harrington unveiled a new Community Room sign honoring Randolph, to great applause.

Summer Break starts June 1^st and ends July 31^st. 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.    

Public libraries in the United States are free and open to everyone. Charlotte Mecklenburg Library has long been a safe and trusted place for those looking for support and services – offering English conversation classes, citizenship preparation, computer literacy programs and more. We never turn anyone away or ask about immigration status. Our Library staff can help you find information on many topics and can give you a library card that allows you to borrow items, such as books and other resources, free of charge. Charlotte Mecklenburg Library branches have computers and free Wi-Fi that you can use to access the internet.

The Library also offers classes, online assessments and handouts to strengthen your digital skills. We want to help you become a more confident technology user. We are currently offering our Basic Skills and Workplace Tools classes, which feature popular Microsoft Office software and Google services. We continue to add more online classes, so please check our calendar frequently for the most up-to-date class availability. All classes are held virtually via Zoom. New to using Zoom? Check out this helpful video to get you started.

If you already have a Library card you can access many digital resources for learning and exploring. If you are new to Charlotte, visit your nearest library branch with a photo ID and proof of Mecklenburg County residency to receive a physical card. If you cannot get to a branch, consider a virtual card. It all has the same benefits as a physical card, and you can print it or add it to your mobile device using our app.