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This summer, as part of Engage 2020 programming, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library will introduce a Summer Series in which historians, professors, activists, and community members will provide thought-provoking virtual presentations online through our website and social media channels.

Engage 2020 seeks to bring diverse audiences together through facilitated conversations around important civic issues.  Historian Brenda Tindal will be our first presenter on Monday, June 15 at 7 p.m.  Please join us for her presentation, Sister Soul-diers: African American Women and the Long Civil/Human Rights Struggles, in which Tindal discusses African American women and their long civil and human rights struggles—with a focus on elevating the experiences and voices of the African American women whose activism and advocacy shaped national social justice discourses from the 19^th through the 21^st centuries.

Brenda Tindal is an awarding-winning educator, scholar, and museum practitioner.  She currently serves as director of education and engagement at the International African American Museum in Charleston, SC.  Her previous positions include director of education at the Detroit Historical Society, and staff historian and senior vice president of research and collections at the Levine Museum of the New South here in Charlotte, where she was the first woman and African American to serve in these roles.

Tindal’s presentation will be streamed live on the Library’s Facebook page and will be available afterward for viewing.  We hope you will join the conversation. See event details here.

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Did you know that you can continue to stay connected to the Library while staying home? How would you like to participate in a virtual storytime with your family or receive resume help all from the comfort of your couch? Join Charlotte Mecklenburg Library every week for a wide range of virtual programming for children, teens and adults. See a complete listing of this upcoming programming for the week of 6/15/2020 below. Click the corresponding links for more information and register for programs where applicable.

Learn more about online programming by clicking here

Monday 6/15

Virtual Reading Buddies – 9 a.m.  (Children's programming)  Register

Family Storytime – 9:30 a.m. (Children's programming)  REGISTER

Online Listen and Move Storytime – 10:30 a.m. (Children's programming)  Learn More

Virtual Reading Buddies – 10 a.m.  (Children's programming)   Register

French for Beginners – 11 a.m. (Adult programming)  Register

Virtual Reading Buddies – 11 a.m.  (Children's programming)  Register 

One-on-One Tutoring and Enrichment – 11 a.m. (Children’s programming)  register

Mindful Mondays – 12 p.m. (Adult programming)  register

Virtual Reading Buddies – 1 p.m.  (Children's programming)  Register

Virtual Reading Buddies – 2 p.m.  (Children's programming)   Register

Book a Librarian – Technology – 2 p.m. (Adult programming)  register

One-on-One Tutoring and Enrichment - 2:30 p.m. (Children's programming)  register

Virtual Reading Buddies – 3 p.m.  (Children's programming)  Register 

Traditional Storytelling – 3 p.m. (Children’s programming)  learn more

 

Tuesday 6/16              

Virtual Reading Buddies – 9 a.m.  (Children's programming)  Register 

Family Storytime – 9:30 a.m. (Children's programming)  REGISTER

Virtual Reading Buddies – 10 a.m.  (Children's programming)  Register 

Cuentos Virtuales en Español - 10:30 a.m. (Children's programming)  register

Book a Librarian - Business Research – 11 a.m. (Adult programming)   register

One-on-One Tutoring and Enrichment - 11 a.m. (Children's programming)  register

Engage 2020: Learning Circles: Women Have Always Worked (Part 2) – 11 a.m.  (Adult programming)  register

Career Development Intensive Coaching – 12 p.m. (Adult programming)   register

Virtual Reading Buddies – 1 p.m.  (Children's programming)  Register 

Creating Virtual Resumes with the Job Help Center – 1 p.m. (Teen and Adult programming)  register

Virtual Reading Buddies – 2 p.m.  (Children's programming)   Register

Active Reading Training for Caregivers of 2-5 Year Olds  – 2 p.m.  (Adult programming)  register

Book a Librarian - Technology – 2 p.m.   register

Story Explorers Enrichment – 2 p.m.   (Children's programming)  register

One-on-One Tutoring and Enrichment - 2:30 p.m. (Children's programming)  register

Anime Club – 3 p.m.  (Teen programming)  register

Traditional Storytelling – 3 p.m. (Children’s programming)  learn more

Virtual Reading Buddies – 3 p.m.  (Children's programming)  Register 

Spanish Conversation Club – 5 p.m. (Adult programming)   register

 

Wednesday 6/17

Virtual Reading Buddies – 9 a.m.  (Children's programming)  Register 

Family Storytime – 9:30 a.m.  (Children's programming)  REGISTER

Bridging the Social Distance: A Community Conversation – 10 a.m. (Adult programming)  register

Virtual Reading Buddies – 10 a.m.  (Children's programming)  Register 

Online Listen and Move Storytime – 10:30 a.m. (Children's programming)  Learn More

Virtual Reading Buddies – 11 a.m.  (Children's programming)  Register 

One-on-One Tutoring and Enrichment - 11 a.m. (Children's programming)  register

Learning Circle: Getting Started with Microsoft Excel - 1 p.m.  (Adult programming)  register

Virtual Reading Buddies – 1 p.m.  (Children's programming)  Register 

Virtual Reading Buddies – 2 p.m.  (Children's programming)   Register

Book a Librarian - Technology – 2 p.m.   register

One-on-One Tutoring and Enrichment – 2:30 p.m. (Children's programming)  register  

Virtual Reading Buddies – 3 p.m.  (Children's programming)   Register  

Engage 2020: School Age Stories – 3 p.m. (Children's programming)  learn more

Teens LIVE: Career Conversations – 4 p.m. (Teen programming)  Learn more

Charlemos Charlotte: Spanish-English Language Exchange – 6:30 p.m. (Adult programming)  register

 

Thursday 6/18

Virtual Reading Buddies – 9 a.m.  (Children's programming)   Register

Family Storytime – 9:30 a.m. (Children's programming)  REGISTER

Write Like You Mean It – 10 a.m. (Adult programming)  register

Virtual Reading Buddies – 10 a.m.  (Children's programming)   Register   

Cuentos Virtuales en Español - 10:30 a.m. (Children's programming)   register

Book a Librarian - Business Research – 11 a.m. (Adult programming)  register

Virtual Reading Buddies – 11 a.m.  (Children's programming)   Register 

One-on-One Tutoring and Enrichment - 11 a.m. (Children's programming)  register

Career Development Intensive Coaching – 12 p.m. (Adult programming)  register

Virtual Reading Buddies – 1 p.m.  (Children's programming)   Register

Creating Virtual Resumes with the Job Help Center – 1 p.m. (Adult and Teen programming)  register  

Spanish Conversation Club – 1 p.m. (Adult programming)  register

Virtual Reading Buddies – 2 p.m.  (Children's programming)   Register

Book a Librarian - Technology – 2 p.m.   register

One-on-One Tutoring and Enrichment – 2:30 p.m. (Children's programming)  register 

Virtual Reading Buddies – 3 p.m.  (Children's programming)  Register 

Book Talk: Children's - 3 p.m. (Children's programming)  learn more

Teens LIVE: How to Make Candy Sushi – 6 p.m. (Teen programming)  learn more

Spanish Conversation Club – 6 p.m. (Adult programming)  register  

English Conversation Club - 7 p.m. (Adult programming)  register

 

Friday 6/19

Virtual Reading Buddies – 9 a.m.  (Children's programming)   Register

Family Storytime – 9:30 a.m. (Children's programming)   REGISTER

Virtual Reading Buddies – 10 a.m.  (Children's programming)   Register

Baby Storytime – 10:30 a.m. (Children's programming)  learn more

Virtual Reading Buddies – 11 a.m.  (Children's programming)   Register

One-on-One Tutoring and Enrichment – 11 a.m. (Children's programming)  register  

Engage 2020: Juneteenth Lunch and Learn (Virtual) – 12 p.m. (Adult/Teen programming)   register

Virtual Reading Buddies – 1 p.m.  (Children's programming)  Register 

Virtual Reading Buddies – 2 p.m.  (Children's programming)  Register 

One-on-One Tutoring and Enrichment – 2:30 p.m. (Children's programming)  register

Virtual Reading Buddies – 3 p.m.  (Children's programming)   Register

Writers Conversation Hour – 7 p.m.  (Adult programming)  register

 

Saturday 6/20

Family Storytime – 9:30 a.m.  (Children's programming)   REGISTER

Learning Circle: The Science of Wellbeing – 9:30 a.m.  (Adult programming)  register

Virtual Reading Buddies – 10 a.m.  (Children's programming)   Register

Virtual Reading Buddies – 11 a.m.  (Children's programming)   Register

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Loft Leaders Academy is a new teen program offering at Charlotte Mecklenburg Library. Currently the program is based at ImaginOn and serves teens in grades 7-12. Loft Leaders Academy incorporates each of the Library’s programming priority areas (Learning, Literacy, Creativity, Community, and Leadership & Life Skills). This program was designed to equip teens in grades 7-12 with leadership and interpersonal skills to be successful in life, work, college, relationships, and beyond. 

Loft Leaders Academy began in the Fall of 2022 when new staff member, Breeana White saw a need for increased resume-building opportunities for local teens. She sought to discover new ways to use library resources to help teens build social capital through service-based, community-conscious youth leadership development.

The Loft Leaders Academy application opens to a new cohort twice a year in the fall (September) and spring (February). Each accepted Loft Leader will be required to commit to attending and participating in all aspects of the Academy. There are only 10 open slots per cohort.  This program, like all library programs, are free and only requires a commitment of time.

Mission

To equip teens with leadership and interpersonal skills to be successful in life, work, college, relationships, and beyond. 

Vision

To create spaces of learning and opportunity to foster potential in young leaders and make an impact in our community through service-based leadership. 

Statement of Purpose

The Loft Leaders Academy exists to bridge opportunity gaps and increase social capital in urban youth through educational workshops, mentorship, and service-learning.

Program Breakdown

Phase 1 (4 months) – interview process, program kickoff, and monthly educational workshops on the foundations of leadership

• Each applicant is invited to interview. During the interview process, applicants are given an interview tips sheet with interview questions to study. This experience is intended to give participants a feel for what they should expect during a job interview.
• The program is kicked off with an orientation night. All family members are invited, Leaders and parents get to meet each other, and any questions participants have are answered.
• Most workshops materials come from the Powerful Youth leadership curriculum. 

Phase 2 (4 months) - Leadership in Action: monthly meet ups to plan cohort service project, loft mentorship program, Leadership Gala

• Cohort Service Project: The final group activity of the Loft Leaders Academy is the planning and execution of a cohort service project. During Phase 2, Loft Leaders will perform a community needs assessment and learn how to plan a service project. Loft Leaders will use skills learned in Phase 1 and a SMART goals model to assess resources, identify a need, and plan how to effectively meet that need. 
• Loft Mentorship Program: This is a separate, partner program to the Loft Leaders Academy. The mentorship program meets once a month and connects teens with a group of background checked mentors in various career fields. 
• Leadership Gala: Participants are celebrated, and their achievements are recognized in a gala that takes place at the end of Phase 2. The Gala will feature community leader guest speakers. The Gala will also be an opportunity to reflect on each participant's progression towards their individual leadership goals. The Gala is a formal event intended to introduce participants to the experience of participating in a classy event and to set the standard for the excellence we know they can achieve.

Flight Fund

Because of the Flight Fund, our pilot cohort, Cohort 1, was able to utilize a budget to help plan and organize their service project. The teens had never worked with a budget before and were able to get some first-time experience pricing out supplies. Cohort 1 decided to partner with Roof Above to deliver sandwiches to our neighbors experiencing houselessness. Flight Fund money was also used for Cohort 1’s Leadership Gala. Catering was provided to serve our Leaders, their families, and our community leader guests.

Cohort 3

Applications for Cohort 3 of Loft Leaders Academy opens on June 5 and closes on August 22 at 5pm. See more here: https://cmlibrary.bibliocommons.com/events/645fd8cc0e0afc41007421d8

Extension Programs

Inclusive Leadership Workshop Series

• 8-week series, 2x year
• Adapted Loft Leaders Academy workshops geared towards teens with autism with a focus on executive functioning skills.

Summer Open Workshops

• Professional development summer zoom programs, open to all
  • Resume Building
  • Computer Troubleshooting
  • Financial Literacy
  • Career Exploration: Physical Therapy
  • Grassroots Community Organizing

Outreach Programming

• 1x workshops upon request

Testimonials

“I am thrilled and relieved to meet other parents & have my son make new friends.”

-Inclusive Workshops Parent

“This program has been a great confidence builder for my daughter. She always looks forward to going to leadership class with Ms. White”

-Cohort 2 Parent

“This class was outstanding. It pushed my son to thinking about situations that he might come across in the future.”

-Inclusive Workshops Parent

[Loft Leaders Academy] has provided a safe space for him to look forward to coming to for friendship, mentoring, and love.’"

-Cohort 1 Parent

“Loft leaders showed me how I could lead my group into action and how to plan everything out it was an amazing feeling to also have my new friends/teammates work with me on this project where we all take turns of being leader I would like to thank loft leaders very much for this experience.”

-Cohort 1 Loft Leader

“I had some concerns starting the program. Would my child be able to work with their peers? Would their learning disability allow them to achieve the leadership goals of the group? Can my child really become a leader? The answer is YES to all these concerns and I am so very proud of them. Thank you making these opportunities available. Thank you for supporting the self esteem of kids with disabilities. Thank you for teaching them the value of helping the community and being a part of the solution. Thank you for being you! Without the library and it's fantastic programs that only happen because of the fantastic librarians, our lives would not be so enriched in learning, growing and love!”

-Cohort 1 Parent

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This blog written by Lonna Vines, branch manager for Charlotte Mecklenburg Library.

The Myers Park Branch is located at the Providence/Queens intersection in the historic Myers Park neighborhood. The central location and wide, tree lined streets make it a popular choice for many community events with everything from culturally diverse festivals, a large selection of locally owned restaurants and of course, the library itself. The Myers Park branch houses Spanish materials for kids, teens and adults. In the neighborhood is the Asian Herald Library. This private library is the largest Asian library in the U.S. and is considered a hidden treasure of Charlotte that doubles as an Asian Cultural Center.

Just a few steps from the library is Queens University, a beautiful private university well known for its innovative education that focuses on a unique combination of transformative experiences in and out of the classroom. If you are looking for festivals in this area, there are two Charlotte staples located nearby. First is the Yiasou Greek Festival which happens annually in September at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral. This festival is one of Charlotte's largest culture events and features cultural exhibits, authentic Greek cuisine and entertainment.

Another large scale event is the 24 Hours of Booty which is an annual bike ride around the iconic Booty Loop. The event started in 2002 with one man riding a bike for 24 hours and participants of the event can commit to walking or biking as little or as much as they like. All benefits of the event go towards the 24 Foundation that has raised more than $26 million to date to support their mission for cancer navigation and survivorship.

Nearby are many local favorite restaurants and shopping areas including Deejai Thai and Fenwick’s Restaurant within a mile of the library. Branching out a couple of miles is the Park Road Shopping Center, which includes Park Road Books. We are also very lucky to have the Mint Museum on Randolph Road which was the original branch of the United States Mint. Finally, Wing Haven features enclosed-brick gardens and a bird sanctuary with quaint, ambling pathways and landscaped greens. It is easily one of the most beautiful places in the city of Charlotte. Looking for some entertainment? Check out Theatre Charlotte, Charlotte’s home for local theater! It is volunteer-driven community theater staging revivals of musicals and plays.

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

Resources:

Myers Park Branch Library – 1361 Queens Rd. Charlotte, NC 28207 | 704-416-5800

Asian Herald Library – 1339 Baxter St. Charlotte, NC 28204 | 704-334-3450

Booty Loop – 2201 Wellesley Ave. Charlotte, NC 28274 | 704-365-4417

Deejai Thai Restaurant – 613 Providence Rd. Charlotte, NC 28207 | 704-333-7884

Fenwicks Restaurant – 511 Providence Rd. Charlotte, NC 28207 | 704-333-2750

Mint Museum Randolph – 2730 Randolph Rd. Charlotte, NC 28207 | 704-337-2000

Park Road Books – 4139 Park Rd. Charlotte, NC 28209 | 704-525-9239

Theater Charlotte – 501 Queens Rd. Charlotte, NC 28207 | 704-376-3777

Wing Haven – 248 Ridgewood Ave. Charlotte, NC 28209 | 704-331-0664

Queens University of Charlotte – 1900 Selwyn Ave. Charlotte, NC 28274 |  704-337-2200

Yiasou Greek Festival – 600 East Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28203 | 704-334-4771

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*Written by Katie Sullivan, Program Manager, Urban Libraries Council*

This summer, four library systems launched new initiatives focused on expanding reading opportunities for children with the help of a vital community hub, the barbershop.

Charlotte Mecklenburg Library, Cleveland Public Library, Columbus Metropolitan Library and Shreve Memorial Library are participating in the Barbershop Books Pilot for Libraries, an initiative in partnership with the Urban Libraries Council and Barbershop Books and supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Barbershop Books is an award-winning literacy nonprofit that inspires Black boys and other vulnerable children to read for fun through child-centered, culturally responsive and community-based programming and content. Numerous research demonstrates that an endemic cycle of inequitable policies has made Black boys "among the most marginalized groups of children in the U.S." Yet, a culture of care at school and in the community that includes activities such as mentoring can provide a path for excellence for Black boys.

The Barbershop Books program model centers the barber as a trusted messenger for Black boys that enter their space. The encouragement of reading by a Black male role model may contribute to increased reading motivation and therefore reading performance. This is especially critical in 2023, as the U.S. reckons with racial disparities in school performance that have been deepened by the impacts of the pandemic.

Libraries participating in the pilot program with ULC are working with local barbershops in their communities to provide stocked bookshelves in each shop, hosting events and providing other engagement opportunities focused on expanding reading access and supporting the development of reading identities for children. Additionally, Barbershop Books is providing expert training sessions so that libraries and barbers are positioned to help young readers develop literacy skills and a love of reading.

The launch events took place in June, July and August 2023 and provided an opportunity to encourage community members to visit the participating barbershops, where children will have access to engaging and age-appropriate reading materials while they or a family member receive a haircut. Libraries were also able to use the opportunity to connect attendees with other library services.

“I met a host of passionate library professionals who are committed to bringing books and fun reading experiences to underserved communities," said Irby of the recent launch events. "Witnessing local families experience the joy of reading in a barbershop for the first time and having the opportunity to distribute free books were memorable mission moments that demonstrate the transformative power of this innovative collaboration."

On June 3, 2023, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library hosted its kickoff event at Just for You Barber/Styling Academy, a barber school located in one of Charlotte’s Corridors of Opportunity. Barbershop partners offered free haircuts to children in attendance. At the event, the Library led story times, offered face painting and brought its “MoLi” mobile library, so children and families could borrow books and sign up for its summer reading program. Mecklenburg County Parks and Recreation also joined the event and shared valuable family-friendly resources.

“The Barbershop Books program is an evidenced-based program that can help us expand our reach into the community by putting books in the hands of young Black and brown boys and get them excited about reading.” said Meryle A. Leonard, Assistant Director of Outreach Services at Charlotte Mecklenburg Library. “We are honored and very excited to bring the Barbershop Books program to our community.” 

Participating Locations in Charlotte

- Fourth Ward Barber & Hairstyle: 516 Graham St. #G

- Lucky Spot Barber Shop: 3240 Wilkinson Blvd Suite 3

- KD's Barbershop: 8824 Bellhaven Blvd A

- Prostyle and Barber: 4016 Wilkinson Blvd Suite D

- Boss Lady Blendz: 6932 North Tryon Street

- Touch of Precision School of Barbering: 2734 Freedom Drive Suite A-1

- Just For You Barber/Styling Academy: 5108 Regan Drive

- Rhodie's Barber and Styling: 5741 N Graham St

- Mar'Cutz Barbershop: 602 W Sugar Creek Rd #3

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