Community Read 2019 is bigger, bolder and better than ever before. There's a lot to discuss, a lot of partners and so many ways for readers of all ages to participate. Read on for answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about our community's biggest book club.

Main Community Read website

What is Community Read?

Each year, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library hosts a community-wide book club known as Community Read. This year's Community Read program will take place throughout March 2019.  

The Library chooses a main title, and companion titles with related themes for younger readers. Everyone in the community is invited to participate in Community Read by reading the books, talking about them, attending library programs, engaging with the Library on social media and celebrating a love of reading together.

This year’s goal is to engage 10% of our community – 100,000 people – with Community Read in some way, through the Library and with partner organizations.

Why is Community Read important? What is new this year?

This year’s main Community Read title is The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas. This award-winning, New York Times best-selling novel deals with sometimes controversial issues that are important nationally and locally in our own community. Community Read will launch conversations in Library and partner locations that we hope will help us understand different perspectives, help our community heal in many ways, launch ongoing relationships, and ultimately help to build a stronger community.

This year’s Community Read is presented by the Library in collaboration with more than 30 community partners, including Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police, Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools, Community Building Initiative, and many more. A complete list can be found here.

What are this year’s titles?

• For adults and teens: The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas 
• For middle grades:  Wishtree by Katherine Applegate 
• For young children:  Love by Matt de la Peña 

How are the titles selected?

The Library conducted a staff survey in January 2018 to gather a list of potential Community Read signature titles. These suggestions were reviewed by the Community Read team and five titles were selected to be presented to the community through a public survey, conducted in February 2018.

Once the signature title was selected, Library staff identified companion titles appropriate for younger participants.

Where can I get a copy?

All three titles are available at Library branches in print and digital formats, and we’ve expanded our digital license to permit simultaneous downloads of audiobooks and ebooks during the month of March.

Additionally, generous investments from presenting sponsor Bank of America and from the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Foundation and Foundation For The Carolinas have allowed us to purchase more than 2,000 copies of the book for distribution at Library and partner locations while supplies last. 

Who is involved?

We all are! Everyone in the community is – or can be – part of Community Read 2019.

An inter-departmental team of Library staff have met for over a year to plan the scope and details of this event.

More than 30 community organizations have joined as partners, and they will expand our reach to their networks, distribute materials and books, and offer programs and book discussions at Library and partner locations.

Community partners include: Carolina Youth Coalition • Charlotte-Mecklenburg Community Relations • Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department • Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools • Community Building Initiative • Communities In Schools of Charlotte-Mecklenburg, Inc. • Central Piedmont Community College • Fort Mill School District • Girl Talk Foundation • Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture • International House • James B. Duke Memorial Library at Johnson C. Smith University • Levine Museum of the New South • Mayor’s Mentoring Alliance • Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office-Library Services • ourBRIDGE • Pass the Peace Feasts • PBS Charlotte • The Possibility Project-Charlotte • Stan Greenspon Center for Peace and Social Justice • Swanky Pen • Teen Health Connection • Time Out Youth • Trinity Episcopal School • Union County Public Schools • UNC Charlotte Department of Theatre • WBAV-FM • YMCA of Greater Charlotte

How can I participate?

We encourage you to read one or more of the Community Read books. We also invite everyone in the community to participate in at least one program or discussion – current listings of Library-led and partner-led programs for all ages are linked to the main webpage. Additional ideas for participation are detailed in this blog post: http://bit.ly/2Si2nSO  

How can I get family and friends involved?

Community Read is for everyone. While The Hate U Give is intended for teens and adults, companion titles Love and Wishtree are suitable for younger readers, and we hope families will read them together and participate in programs designed for children. Please spread the word about Community Read to family and friends and invite them to participate.

Will the authors visit?

Yes!

Angie Thomas will speak at CPCC’s Halton Theatre on March 19. Tickets and information are here. To join the waiting list call the CPCC Box Office at 704-330-6534. If tickets become available we will notify people on this list via email.

Matt de la Pena will speak at ImaginOn on March 28. Ticket information will be on the Community Read website as it is available.

Who is funding Community Read?

There is an annual allocation for Community Read in the Library’s programming budget. Additionally, Bank of America has made a financial investment as this year’s presenting sponsor, and the program has received additional support from Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Foundation and Foundation For The Carolinas.

How can I get my book club involved?

Yes! The Library has sets of The Hate U Give available for loan to book clubs and other groups. These kits include 10 copies of the book as well as discussion guides and other resources. Learn more here.

Once your group or book club has read the book, please tell us about it! Complete this form so we can include your group in our overall count of Community Read participants.

How can my organization get involved?

Organizations can get involved by participating in a library program, taking the pledge and recording their program information on our website at Community Read Partners
 

The Charlotte Mecklenburg Library and MIT Media Lab’s Space Exploration Initiative have teamed-up! Thanks to PLIX (Public Library Innovation Exchange), the Library is offering a FREE six-week series Climate CubeSat Co-building Outreach Program.

The Public Library Innovation Exchange is a Knight Foundation-funded grant project to build collaborations between MIT Media Lab researchers and public libraries across the United States. Other libraries that have participated in a Media Lab project include the Chicago Public Library.

STEAM 101: Space Exploration Initiative will take place at Morrison Regional Library beginning Tuesday, March 5, 2019 and will end on Tuesday, April 9, 2019.  All sessions will run from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. 

The Library’s series will allow you to participate in hands-on learning and science experiments, engage in design thinking and space exploration, and discover CubeSat co-building in this innovative 6-week series. The series will culminate in a cap stone project.

A CubeSat is a cube-shaped satellite that can be small enough to fit in the palm of your hand or as big as a large shoebox. The ones that students will be making at the Library will focus on climate science and earth-observation measurements. 

The Space Exploration Initiative is open to pre-teens, teens and adults. Space is limited for this series, so registration is required for each session.

Register here.

Charlotte Mecklenburg Library’s Job Help Center will host a Job Fair on Wednesday, March 20, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. More than 400 people attended the Library’s previous Job Fair in October and more than 30 employers sought resumes and employees.

Is it your first time attending a job fair? Use these tips to nail it.

Do your research. Review the list of companies that will participate. Visit company websites and research the employers you’re most interested in ahead of time to show your knowledge of the company. The Library provides free access with your Library card to Reference USA, a website that provides business data on 24 million U.S. businesses.

Ask questions. Prepare questions for potential employers that illustrate your knowledge of their organization. Employers aren’t just looking for the most skilled candidate for the job; they’re looking for candidates who are truly interested in their companies. The more you engage them, the better the impression you'll make.

Arrive early. With several hundred people expected, lines for some employers may be long, so arrive early, even before the Job Fair officially opens.

Bring multiple copies of your resume. Don’t forget to bring extra copies of your resume so you have enough to hand out to employers. Would you like someone to review your resume before the job fair? Tutor.com offers a free resume review service with your Library card and pin, you should receive your review within 12 hours.

Introduce yourself and be prepared to give your "career pitch." Extend your hand, say, "Hello, my name is…". Have a resume ready to give to the employer and be prepared to talk about your career interests and strengths.

Companies that are participating (subject to change):

• AAA Carolinas
• ABC
• Advocations
• Aldo Accessories
• Allied Universal
• AvidXchange
• BAYADA Home Health Care
• BG Multifamily
• Carolina Recording Systems
• Carowinds
• Charlotte Area Fund
• Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
• Charlotte Motor Speedway
• Conference Direct
• Corning
• Delaware North (Panther's Stadium food service)
• DeVry University
• DSS-FNS, Employment and Training
• Dollar General
• Elite Resources
• Embassy Suites
• Faithful Nurses
• FedEx
• Full House Marketing
• G4S
• Golden Grains Baking
• Crace Mar Services Inc.
• Greater Home Health Services 
• Grifols
• Hawker's Asian Street Fare​
• Heavy Equipment College of Georgia
• Home Instead Senior Care
• Jetstream Ground Services

• Kelly Educational Staffiing
• Loomis
• LSG Sky Chefs
• Marriott City Center
• Mecklenburg County Parks and Recreation
• Mecklenburg County Sheriff Office
• New Hope Treatment Center
• Paradies Lagardere
• Plant Partners
• Preferred Parking
• Prologistix
• Publix
• QuikTrip
• Rely Workforce Group
• ResCare
• RHA Howell, Inc
• Rock Bottom Brewery
• Sage Hospitality
• Samaritan's Purse
• SAS Retail Services (Harris Teeter)
• Scrap Management Inc.
• Snyder's-Lance
• Sodexo
• ​Spectrum
• The Reserves Network
• The Staff Zone
• ​United Parcel Service
• ​United States Postal Service (USPS)
• U.S. Census Bureau
• Waffle House
• Wells Fargo
• Westmed Practice Partners
• Whole Foods
• YMCA of Greater Charlotte

Good luck in your job search endeavors. We hope to see you at the Job Fair on Wednesday!

In 1926, Dr. Carter G. Woodson launched the first “Negro History Week” during the second week of February in honor of the births of both Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. His initiative would eventually become what we know today as African American Month or Black History Month.  For 93 years, the United States has used February to recognize the contributions of African-Americans in the advancement of humanity and this country. However, as far as the country has progressed, it still faces racism and race relations issues.

Talking about racially-charged situations may be difficult, but the Library wants everyone to get involved with making our community better and safer for all of us. This year’s Community Read titles address issues of racism and xenophobia in hopes of making Charlotte an even better place to live for everyone.

The Community Read book for teens and adults is The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas. Starr manages to navigate between the worlds of her affluent, predominately white private school and her poor, mostly black neighborhood until she becomes the sole witness in the death of her unarmed African American friend at the hands of a white police officer. Now she has pressure coming from every direction as her worlds collide. She’ll have to decide who she is, find her voice, and speak out for what she believes is right, even if the consequences could be devastating for herself, her family and her friends. 

Once you’ve read the book or if you’ve seen the movie, come to any of our Community Read events happening all over the county. You can find out more information on events and partnerships with local community organizations here: https://www.cmlibrary.org/community-read

Don’t stop there. There are many books to read and explore. Here are a few more titles to check out at the Library.

Dear Martin by Nic Stone: Justyce McAllister is an excellent, top-of-his-class student with his sights on the Ivy-League, but that doesn’t make any difference to the cop who arrests him when he’s just trying to help a friend. As issues of police brutality and fatal shootings mount, Jus struggles to cope with the injustice around him. Angry and heartbroken, Jus turns to the writings of Martin Luther King Jr. and poses the question, “What would you do, Martin?” He begins writing to the late, great activist in hopes of finding his way.

All American Boys by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely: When Quinn sees his best friend’s brother, a white police officer, beating Quinn’s black classmate, Rashad, he doesn’t know what to do. The incident doesn’t make sense. Rashad is an incredible artist and a ROTC kid. At first, Quinn says nothing, but as Rashad is absent from school day after day due to the injuries and the nation reacts to a violent video of the incident, Quinn realizes that he must choose between what is safe and what is right.

If I Ever Get Out of Here by Eric L. Gansworth: It’s 1975 and Lewis “Shoe” Blake is used to the ups and downs of living on the Tuscarora Indian reservation. Shoe is used to being bullied by the vicious Evan Reininger. He’s used to feeling like a misfit. But he’s not used to having white friends. When George Haddonfield’s family moves to the Air Force base close by, the boys find common ground in their mutual love of The Beatles, but there’s a lot that Shoe is hiding from George, especially the depth of his family’s poverty. Tensions are getting worse with Evan and it seems like everyone else is against Shoe, and he can’t be sure where George’s loyalties will be when he finds out the whole truth. 

Books—even fiction—can help us understand other’s perspectives and remind us that we’re not alone. We all live in this community, and can help make it better by reading, listening, and joining the conversation. The Library invites you to connect with us and others during the 2019 Community Read. Again, check out the community events and other information here.

Shared by Tami Gosselin (fourth from right in group photo)

Write Like you Mean It is my favorite place in Charlotte Mecklenburg Library.  This writing group meets every week on Thursday mornings in the Main Library on North Tryon Street.  It is a safe place to practice the craft of writing, as well as the art of listening to others' writing.  Everyone is welcome.  The group is led by librarian Pam Turner, and it is based on the book Writing Alone and with Others by Pat Schneider. 

There are five affirmations that guide this group:

1. Everyone has a strong, unique voice. 

2. Everyone is born with creative genius. 

3. Writing as an art form belongs to all people, regardless of economic class or educational level. 

4. The teaching of craft can be done without damage to a writer’s original voice or artistic self-esteem. 

5. A writer is someone who writes. 

We are always reminded that this is first draft work and that we should focus on what we liked about the work.  We are asked to share but not required to, welcome to do the prompts or not do them; it is completely up to each one of us how much we participate. 

There is always coffee and water, both cold and hot, and there are usually snacks, chips or cookies or fruit.  There is a variety of people that come: all ages, all skin colors, all gender identities; and when we share it is on an even basis that all of us have the same opportunity to speak, listen and be heard.  We are all on the same level in the workshop, all participants practicing a craft, sharing our truth, seeking our lesson. I enjoy going because it challenges me. Each week offers different prompts to write about, and they are meant to pull something out of us in a way that we don’t know, so we do the writing we were meant to do without knowing it just by following whatever the prompt stirs inside each of us. 

I enjoy this time each week.  It is the highlight of my week.  Without it, my week feels so much less shiny, because this is my happy place.

Sometimes we have guest speakers, who are usually published authors.  They come and talk to us about their book. We can ask questions and they often lead prompts.  Those weeks have a different rhythm for me as they are not as sacred. This person may be a virtual stranger, and I am not always ready for, or connect with, their prompts.  They don’t always understand the workshop process.  And, they don’t write alongside us. 

Some weeks there are 30 people, some weeks there are 6.  No matter how many people show up, there’s always a sense that who needs to be here is here.  The group started in 2016, and is celebrating the 3-year anniversary on February 28, 2019.  I have been attending just over a month now, and hope to attend long into the future.

Tami Gosselin

When it comes to remembering presidents during the national holiday President’s Day in February, that sentiment may strongly resonate when reading the two new historical fiction adult mystery series. Set little more than 40 years apart, the books step into the presidential eras of Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt. The presidents don’t get involved in actual sleuthing but are closely linked to the amateur detectives in these books. 

The Alice Roosevelt Mystery Series: The real-life daughter of President Roosevelt is stepping into the detective role as she fears for her father’s safety in this fictional novel, Alice and the Assassin. During 1902, the bright and bold 17-year-old Alice Roosevelt is under the guardianship of Secret Service Agent Joseph St. Clair, a one-time cowboy and veteran of Rough Riders. Assessing his new assignment, St. Clair considers it a ‘cushy job’ compared to serving as a soldier, but the president warns him about the first daughter: “You say that now.  But I promise you, you’ll wish you were back in Cuba before the year is out.”

The novel is told from the perspective of St. Clair as he discovers working with young Roosevelt entails extra measures of bodyguard work. When former President William McKinley is assassinated, the suspicious daughter is driven to find answers about the killer, a public anarchist whom Alice believes others exist to follow his lead. Agent St. Clair follows her while tracking down possibilities through multiple New York City locales, including the occasional event requiring the secret service agent to draw his Colt handgun. The book is written by R.J. Koreto and next book in the series is The Body in the Ballroom.  

The Lincoln White House Mystery Series: In 1861, Adam Speed Quinn is a presidential assistant and jack-of-all-trades for the newly-elected President Lincoln's White House staff. The former 30-year-old frontier scout comes from the Bloody Kansas conflict, the border war of Kansas between slavery and anti-slavery forces where he was wounded and then reassigned. Working directly for Lincoln, Quinn is identified as one of the president’s closest confidants. In Murder in the Lincoln White House, a man is found murdered during the inauguration ball and Lincoln asks Quinn to investigate: “I prefer someone less known to the public to carry out this investigation. And I also require someone in whom I have complete and utter trust, whose loyalty and discretion are without question. You are one of the most intelligent and resourceful men I’ve come to know—who is not immersed in politics or the law.”  

With Lincoln’s pronouncement, Quinn begins the case and his skills are to put to test as he interacts with an unfamiliar Washington community. He finds unlikely assistance in two new allies: a strong-willed journalist named Sophie Gates and the methodical Dr. Hilton, a free man of color. They help Quinn piece together the investigation. Also, when needed, Quinn keeps a Colt handgun close by for protection, much like secret service agent St. Clair in the Alice Roosevelt Mystery Series. The book is written by Colleen Gleason, and is the second in the series is Murder in the Oval Library.

More books in a child's home leads to higher reading scores, better academic performance and results in greater opportunities in life. That is why the Library has partnered with WSOC-TV to collect new and gently-used children’s and teen books through the 9 Books for Kids book drive.

The objective of 9 Books for Kids is to provide parents, children and the community with resources to improve student learning and achievement across the Carolinas.  

New and gently-used children’s and teen books can be donated at any Charlotte Mecklenburg Library location. Additionally, three 9 Family Focus community business partners have chosen to collect books at their Mecklenburg county locations: Showmars, Ashley HomeStore and E.R. Plumbing Services. 

All donated books will be distributed by the library to area children and teens through Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Outreach Services without the need to check out and return the book.

Donations can help increase the number of books in the homes of children through outreach efforts like the Community Bookshelf program, Summer Break Book Bucks, Little Free Libraries and partnerships with Read Charlotte and Promising Pages. 

You can drop off your book donation at any Charlotte Mecklenburg Library location or one of the community business partners beginning March 11, 2019 through April 12, 2019.

To find out how you can get involved, visit 9BooksforKids.com.

Thank you for helping the Library improve lives and build a stronger community!

9 Family Focus Partner Locations:

Showmars Huntersville, 9605 Sherrill Estates Rd, Huntersville, NC 28078

Showmars, 6801 Northlake Mall Dr, Charlotte, NC 28216

Showmars University, 115 E McCullough Dr, Charlotte, NC 28262

Showmars Mint Hill, 6850 Matthews-Mint Hill Rd, Mint Hill, NC 28227

Showmars Matthews, 9704 E Independence Blvd, Matthews, NC 28105

Showmars, 10612 Providence Rd Unit A, Charlotte, NC 28277

Showmars Park Cedar - Pineville, 9925 Park Cedar Dr, Charlotte, NC 28210

Showmars Arrowood, 2216 W Arrowood Rd, Charlotte, NC 28217

Showmars Emerywood, 1317 Emerywood Dr, Charlotte, NC 28210

Showmars Dilworth (East Blvd.), 1600 East Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28203

Showmars 7th Street, 2004 E 7th St, Charlotte, NC 28204

Showmars Eastway Drive, 3225 Eastway Dr, Charlotte, NC 28205

Showmars Little Rock, 2540 Little Rock Rd, Charlotte, NC 28214

Showmars Freedom Drive, 2601 Freedom Dr, Charlotte, NC 28208

Showmars South Park Mall, 4400 Sharon Rd G-29, Charlotte, NC 28211

Showmars Government Center, 600 E 4th St, Charlotte, NC 28202

Showmars Charlotte Plaza, 201 South College, Charlotte, NC 28202

Showmars Hearst Tower, Hearst Tower, 214 N Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202

E.R. Plumbing Services, 648 Matthews-Mint Hill Rd Ste C, Matthews, NC 28105

Ashley HomeStore, 11320 Carolina Pl Pkwy, Pineville, NC 28134

Ashley HomeStore Outlet, 5345 South Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28217

Ashley HomeStore, 430 E McCullough Dr, Charlotte, NC 28262

Community Read is here! This is Week 1 of Charlotte Mecklenburg Library’s biggest community-wide book club. It’s not too late to join in. Read the books, share your thoughts and create a better community. Everyone in Charlotte is participating, so don’t miss out! 

Open Books. Open Minds.

This year’s Community Read is nothing like before. It is bigger, bolder and better with important topics to discuss, more than 30 community partners involved and plenty of ways to get engaged. Together with our sponsors, the Library is excited about the book selections and the program lineup during March.  

The main title for Community Read is The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas. The New York Times best-selling, award-winning novel deals with the sometimes controversial issues that are important nationally and locally in the Charlotte community. This year’s complete selection of companion titles with related themes are:

• For adults and teens: The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas 
• For middle grades:  Wishtree by Katherine Applegate 
• For young children:  Love by Matt de la Peña 

The Library’s goal is to engage 10% of the Charlotte community – 100,000 people – with Community Read. Be part of the community’s biggest book club.

Step 1 – Pledge to participate

Community Read is for everyone. Everyone is invited to take part in this year’s Community Read. Pledge online and start participating.

Step 2 – Read the books   

All three titles are available at Library locations in print and digital formats. Looking to read online? There’s no wait as the Library expanded its digital license to permit simultaneous downloads of audiobooks and e-books during the month of March for The Hate U Give.

Additionally, generous investments from presenting sponsor Bank of America and from the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Foundation and Foundation For The Carolinas allowed for the purchase of more than 2,000 copies that were distributed at Library and partner locations, while supplies last. 

Step 3 – Share your thoughts by attending Library and/or Partner Programs

There are many conversations, events and programs taking place around The Hate U Give and its relevant themes during Week 1. Join a conversation, use your voice and help change the narrative of our community. Below is a listing of just some of the events going on around Mecklenburg County:
 

Adults and teens: The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas 

Community Read: From Page to Screen: The Hate U Give
Saturday, March 2, 2019 – 10 a.m. at IB Community Room at Independence Regional
Whether you already love the book or want to watch the movie before reading it, join us for the film adaptation of The Hate U Give. See the story brought to life! This movie is rated PG-13. Learn more

Family First: I Wrote My Way Out 
Saturday, March 2, 2019 – 11 a.m. at Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture
for ages 12-21
$5/Free for Members
This is a writing and performance-focused Family First Workshop led by Guerilla Poets. Using Tupac’s writings and lyrics, teens and young adults will learn writing techniques they can use to create a toolkit for dealing with trauma. Learn more

Community Read Film Series: The Hate U Give
Sunday, March 3, 2019 – 1 p.m. at The Wells Fargo Playhouse at ImaginOn:
oin us for our Community Read Film Series, movies related to the themes found in this year's Community Read selection The Hate U Give. Learn more

Film Screening and Discussion
Tuesday, March 5, 2019 – 4:30 p.m. at Johnson C. Smith University, James B. Duke Memorial Library. RSVP and questions to [email protected] or call 704-371-6740
Watch The Hate U Give film from 4:30-6:45 p.m. Program follows the film at 7 p.m. and includes a brief overview of the book, then a presentation by  Toussaint Romain, followed by questions and answers. The evening will end with a LIVE podcast from 8:15 p.m. - 9 p.m. Mastermind Podcast will capture people’s comments and reactions to the book and movie. Learn more

Central Piedmont READS
Tuesday, March 5, 2019 – 11 a.m. at Central Piedmont Community College – Cato Campus, Cato III-CT024 lower level Auditorium. Free with registration
CP Reads will host book discussions on each of its six campuses. Faculty and staff will be able to register for these events in LearnerWeb to receive PD credits. Learn more

K(NO)W Justice K(NO)W Peace Talk Back
Saturday, March 9, 2019 – 12 p.m. at Levine Museum of the New South.
Free with registration Adults, Teens (12-18)
K(NO)W Justice K(NO)W Peace is a community-created exhibit about police-involved shootings throughout the nation and in Charlotte. At the Levine Museum of the New South, participants will tour the K(NO)W Justice K(NO)W Peace exhibit in a self-guided experience for 30 minutes, which will be followed by a 30-minute reflective conversation, a Talk Back, with a Levine Museum of the New South educator. Learrn more

Self Care is Revolutionary
Saturday, March 9, 2019 – 10 a.m. at Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture
$5/Free for Members
Join visiting author Damaris Hill and CLT organizations for a day focused on using arts and literature to align on mind and body and address issues within our community. Yoga, writing and storytelling workshops.

Middle Grades: Wishtree by Katherine Applegate

Community Read: Drop-in Wishtree activity
Friday, March 1, 2019 – All day at Morrison Regional
Come write a wish to put on our Wishtree! We will collect all the wishes to create an art piece at the end of March. Learn more

Community Read: Wishtree Book Discussion for Seniors 55+
Friday, March 8, 2019 – 2 p.m. Davidson Meeting Room at Davidson
Join the library and other seniors to discuss Wishtree by Katherine Applegate. Refreshments and extension activity included. Learn more

Community Read: Wishtree School-Aged Nature Journal Program
Saturday, March 9, 2019 – 1 p.m. at University City Regional
Develop literacy and critical thinking skills through books and hands-on activities. This month the theme will be our Community Read selection, Wishtree. Learn more

Children: Love by Matt de la Peña 

Community Read: The "Love" Scavenger Hunt
Friday, March 1, 2019 – All day at Myers Park
Drop in and participate in our special literacy scavenger hunt activity inspired the children's picture book "Love" by Matt de la Peña. Complete this activity and receive a prize! Learn more

Community Read Community Helper Storytime: Love
Tuesday, March 5, 2019 – 10:30 a.m. at Sugar Creek
Bring the family and join us as we read Love by Matt de la Peña and other stories with your favorite community helpers. Learn more

Community Read Family Storytime: Love
Thursday, March 7, 2019 – 9:30 a.m. Meeting Room at Scaleybark
Bring the family and join us as we read Love by Matt de la Peña. We will also have songs, rhymes, and movement activities featuring love in all its different forms. Learn more

Community Read Family Storytime: Love
Friday, March 8, 2019 – 10:30 a.m. Spangler Library at ImaginOn
ring the  family to enjoy stories, songs, and movement activities that support early literacy skill development and help foster a love of books and reading in your child. Learn more

Step 4 – Engage on social media

Share the news on social media. Be sure to tag #CommunityRead2019 and keep the discussion going.

Step 5 – Celebrate the love of reading

Invite your friends and family to participate. Make new friends. Join book club discussions hosted around our community or start your own book club. Visit cmlibrary.org to learn more. The Library has sets of The Hate U Give available for loan to book clubs and other groups. These kits include 10 copies of the book as well as discussion guides and other resources. Learn more here. 

Organizations can also get involved by participating in library programs, taking the pledge and recording their program information on the Library website at Community Read Partners. Once your group or book club has read the book, please tell us about it! Complete this form so we can include your group in our overall count of Community Read participants.

Spread the word about Community Read 2019 to family and friends and invite them to participate. We’ll see you at an event or program in March.

Community Read is presented by Charlotte Mecklenburg Library in collaboration with more than 30 community partners, including Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, Community Building Initiative and many more. A complete list can be found on cmlibrary.org.