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Book Club Madness Reading Rivalries

THE 2026 CHALLENGES

Click here for SCORECARD
WEEK ONE

Away Game Challenge
Wednesday, March 4 – Tuesday, March 10

 

The tip-off is here! Week One of Book Club Madness kicks off with the Away Game Challenge, and it’s time to hit the road (or at least venture beyond your usual branch). With 21 unique Charlotte Mecklenburg Library locations across the county, this week is all about exploring new spaces, discovering hidden gems, and racking up points while you’re at it. Visit branches you don’t normally frequent, go on a Library scavenger hunt, and start the competition off strong.

Click HERE for a list of branches and their addresses and hours.

Go on a “scavenger hunt” and check out these features at our different branches.

  • 2 points for every branch visit within 10 miles of your home

  • 3 points for every branch visit over 10 miles from your home

Along with perusing the great collections, inspiring displays and cozy seating, here are some unique features to check out at each branch:

  • Allegra Westbrooks Regional Library: Thinking about what seeds you would like to plant this Spring? Head to Allegra Westbrook Regional Library to check out the Seed Library.

  • Cornelius Library: Hang out with Mark Twain at Cornelius Library.

  • Davidson Library: Where books escape their bindings and reach for the sky, three paper towers reside in Davidson Library’s Book Garden.

  • Founder’s Hall: Heading Uptown? Swing by our Founder’s Hall branch to say “hey” to the team there.

  • Hickory Grove Library: Ready for Spring? Go to Hickory Grove Library to see the potted plants around the Library and take a peek at the outdoor flowerbeds in the community garden.

  • Independence Regional Library: At Independence Regional Library find the brick mosaic walls called North Carolina Garden Landscape by Sarah Craige and Betsy Townes.

  • Matthews Library: Don’t be late for your train at the Matthews Library! Check out the train-themed reference desk.

  • Mint Hill Library: Check out the latest display by the Mint Hill Historical Society at Mint Hill Library.

  • Mountain Island Library: Take a minute to relax and enjoy the view at Mountain Island Library.

  • Myers Park Library: Check out the new furniture at Myers Park Library. Snap a photo reading in their cozy reading nook.

  • North County Regional Library: North County Regional Library is home to one of our Maker Spaces. Take a peek at the different offerings they have available.

  • Pineville Library: Behind the circulation desk at Pineville Library, find the beautiful piece of community art.

  • Plaza Midwood Library: Don’t be afraid to get close and return a book to the “Bookie Monster” at Plaza Midwood Library.

  • South Boulevard Library: Check out the local art projects A Circle of Dreams by Monique Luck and Charloteanos exhibit by Jacobo Strimling at South Boulevard Library.

  • South County Regional Library: Check out the artwork by local artists at South County Regional Library and let us know your favorite on social media.

  • SouthPark Regional Library: Need some sunshine and a pretty view, take a break on the terrace at SouthPark Regional Library.

  • Steele Creek Library: Check out the statues in the garden at Steele Creek Library.

  • Sugar Creek Library: In need of a lucky day? Check out the “lucky day” collection at Sugar Creek Library to find your next read for your kids.

  • University City Regional Library: Snap a picture with “Stella” at University City Regional Library.

  • West Boulevard Library: Did you know some branches have laptop vending machines? Check the one out at West Boulevard Library.

Three Pointers 

  • Find your next read: Ask the Library staff at a branch you have never been to for help in finding your next read. Share your preferences (reading style, book length, genre, etc.) and see what they recommend. Each recommendation = 3 points! (If you check out the book, you will earn a free throw point, too.)

  • Sign up to attend a program: You can find your next program to attend by checking out the Library website or click here. Please review program details carefully and register in advance when required.

Free Throws (a.k.a. one-pointers)

Every week you can score one point for each of the following challenges:

  • Check out a book, e-book, audio book or film: 1 point per item.
  • Pick up your free tote at any branch: 1 point.
  • Post your tote on any social media platform: 1 point per post.
  • Visit a branch: 1 point per visit.
  • Like and/or post to the social media question of the week on Twitter, Facebook, and/or Instagram for 1 point each. Look for the #bookclubmadness hashtag.

Uh-Oh… Technical Foul!

Earn two points by getting help finding your next read by using our Reader’s Advisory service. Click here to try it out: https://cmlibrary.org/services/find-your-next-read but just like Technical Fouls don’t happen in every game, you can only get points for doing this once during Book Club Madness!

WEEK TWO

Pay It Forward Challenge
Wednesday, March 11 – Tuesday, March 17

Back by popular demand is our Pay It Forward challenge. Show your reading community some love (including Library staff!) and earn some points.

Two Pointers 

  • Drop a thank you note to the Library staff at your favorite branch(es) (either in the book drop or at the circulation desk)

  • Stock a Little Free Library: leave a book or two in a Little Free Library kiosk in your neighborhood. Find them on the Little Free Library app.

  • Build a bigger community of readers by loaning or giving away a book to someone.

  • Stop by Main Street Books, Park Road Books, and/or Troubadour Booksellers to check out their favorite reads and thank them for supporting Book Club Madness.

Three Pointers 

  • Check out, purchase and/or read a book by a local Carolina author.

  • Surprise your favorite branch by dropping off a special treat.

  • Recommend a book that spurred the best conversation for your book club with a review on the Library’s BiblioCommons site.

  • Share the aforementioned review on your social media sites.

  • Build a bigger community of readers by reading to a child or senior or recruiting a new book club member.

  • Help us get a head start on our Library Giving Day goal by making a gift of any size. Library Giving Day is April 1. Click HERE to give.

Free Throws (a.k.a. one-pointers)

Every week you can score one point for each of the following challenges:

  • Check out a book, e-book, audio book or film: 1 point per item.
  • Pick up your free tote at any branch: 1 point.
  • Post your tote on any social media platform: 1 point per post.
  • Visit a branch: 1 point per visit.
  • Like and/or post to the social media question of the week on Twitter, Facebook, and/or Instagram for 1 point each. Look for the #bookclubmadness hashtag.

Uh-Oh… Technical Foul!

Earn two points by getting help finding your next read by using our Reader’s Advisory service. Click here to try it out: https://www.cmlibrary.org/services/find-your-next-read but just like Technical Fouls don’t happen in every game, you can only get points for doing this once during Book Club Madness!

WEEK THREE

The Rivalries Challenge
Wednesday, March 18 – Tuesday, March 24

The final buzzer is in earshot, and the stakes have never been higher! It’s the third and final week of Book Club Madness, and this is your last chance to rally your readers, shake up your reading habits, and score some serious points for your team. Whether you’re branching out of your comfort zone, recruiting new library cardholders, or showing up in person for a little Not-So-Heated Rivalries fun, every point counts. Finish strong… because bragging rights are on the line!

 Two Pointers 

  • Check out a book from a genre you typically don’t choose and let us know what book you picked by sharing with us on social media using #bookclubmadness.

  • Check out a book by an author you haven’t read yet and let us know who you picked by sharing with us on social media using #bookclubmadness.

  • Library card sign-ups: score two points for every person you encourage to sign up for a Library card. Direct them to one of our locations or to cmlibrary.org/get-a-card to learn more. You can send a text or email or go about it the old-fashioned way and make a phone call or have a face-to-face conversation.

  • Visit the SkillPop website, check out their classes, and tell them the class you’d want to take with your book club on the WEEK 3 scorecard.

Three Pointers 

  • Attend our Not-So-Heated Rivalries event in-person on Saturday, March 21 at SouthPark Regional Library.

  • Share a photo from the Not-So-Heated Rivalries event on your social media accounts and tag the Library Foundation and Charlotte Mecklenburg Library.

  • Can’t make it to the event? Get together with a friend (or rival!) to discuss your current reads. You will earn an additional free throw point if you meet at one of our branches.

Free Throws (a.k.a. one-pointers)

Every week you can score one point for each of the following challenges:

  • Check out a book, e-book, audio book or film: 1 point per item.
  • Pick up your free tote at any branch: 1 point.
  • Post your tote on any social media platform: 1 point per post.
  • Visit a branch: 1 point per visit.
  • Like and/or post to the social media question of the week on Twitter, Facebook, and/or Instagram for 1 point each. Look for the #bookclubmadness hashtag.

Uh-Oh… Technical Foul!

Earn two points by getting help finding your next read by using our Reader’s Advisory service. Click here to try it out: https://cmlibrary.org/services/find-your-next-read but just like Technical Fouls don’t happen in every game, you can only get points for doing this once during Book Club Madness!

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