Charlotte Mecklenburg Library’s 21st branch located in Pineville is now open. Library CEO Marcellus Turner (top, fifth from left) was joined by Library trustees, Mecklenburg County and Town of Pineville officials at a ribbon-cutting celebration on December 10. Branch manager Garrette Smith (bottom, center) — seen here with Library staff at their new reception desk — will lead the team in Pineville. Help Garrette and her staff stock the shelves at this new location by dedicating a title to a book lover in your life.

December 30, 2022

Hello,

The week between Christmas and New Year’s Day is my time to reflect on the year past and to rest for the year ahead.

This has been one of the most incredible years of my life. My partner and I welcomed a daughter into our lives last January and it’s been full of milestones for us all. First smiles, favorite foods and an iPhone that is 98% pictures of her sweet face.

We also celebrated many milestones at the Library this year. Our new mobile Library “MoLi” has exceeded expectations and increased our reach to under-served communities. We grew to 21 this year with the opening of a highly-anticipated new branch in Pineville. We launched a new competition “Book Club Madness” and saw firsthand the enthusiasm and intelligence of our local reading community. And to make things even better, Verse & Vino and EpicFest were back in person with award-winning authors and incredible crowds.

These milestones were possible because of you. Thank you for continuing to be a part of this thriving, supportive, innovative and inspiring Library family. I look forward to seeing you in 2023!

With gratitude,

Jenni Gaisbauer, CFRE
Executive Director

P.S. It’s not too late to make your 2022 tax-deductible gift to the Library! Click the link below or visit our website for other ways to give.

MoLi Meets a Milestone

Charlotte Mecklenburg Library’s mobile unit MoLi is coming up on its one year anniversary. And what a year it’s been! MoLi has increased access to cost-free resources, programs, and WiFi in many high-need areas that have limited access to a physical branch. In addition to this, Library staff have taken MoLi to numerous events and festivals and hosted “Movies with MoLi.”

Circulation Superstars

Our social media post on The Brooklyn Public Library’s most requested books of all time got a lot of attention, so we thought you’d enjoy a peek at Charlotte Mecklenburg Library’s most requested books of 2022. Are your favorites on the list? Are there books that will be added to your to-be-read list? Any surprises?

A (Digital) Room with an (Uptown) View

Library staff opened a Pop Up Computer Lab in First Ward Park to provide laptops, free Wi-Fi, printing services, and on-site help. This innovative idea helped fill the digital services gap made by the closing of Main Library.

Digital access is an important part of everyone’s daily life. From healthcare to career services, digital literacy and access are often as necessary as food, shelter and education — and they enable access to all three.

A more permanent Uptown computer space is slated to open in early 2023 while the new Main Library is closed for construction.