Charlotte Mecklenburg Library and Corning Optical Communications LLC are working together to enhance and support digital services and programs across the library. The three-year $3.2 million investment will focus on Library Outreach programming, re-imagining Studio i at ImaginOn: The Joe and Joan Martin Center, and signature programs within Main Library which will open in spring 2027.
“We are deeply grateful to Corning Optical Communications for its visionary investment in our community,” said Angie Myers, CEO of Charlotte Mecklenburg Library. “This generous support directly benefits our residents by expanding access to essential learning and upskilling opportunities, strengthening neighborhood connections, and removing barriers so that everyone in Mecklenburg County can fully connect with our Library’s resources — and thrive.”
Corning Optical Communications, based in Charlotte, is the global leader in fiber and cable solutions that connect people and businesses and form the backbone of today's advanced computing networks. It employs more than 5,000 across North Carolina and is a business unit of Corning Incorporated, one of the world's leading innovators in materials science.
“At Corning, connecting people is at the heart of what we do,” said Mike O’Day, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Corning Optical Communications. “That’s why collaborating with Charlotte Mecklenburg Library is a natural fit, as they play a vital role in connecting residents of all ages to life-changing resources. Investing in the communities where we live and work is a big part of who we are at Corning, and I’m excited to have our team join the library’s important work and help provide valuable resources to people in our community at every stage of life.”
The investment supports:
- Outreach programming, including the hiring of three outreach specialists and expanded mobile library routes. Charlotte Mecklenburg Library will continue its outreach efforts in high-need areas, including library deserts, and will hire three outreach specialists to bring programs to community settings. The funding will also expand mobile library bus routes across Mecklenburg County to offer hands-on learning opportunities. The library’s outreach department delivers more than 10 percent of all Library programming to more than 150 outreach sites throughout Mecklenburg County, including daycare and senior centers.
- A new learning space designed to encourage STEM education and media production for teens at ImaginOn, a one-of-a-kind youth destination that brings stories to life. The Creative Hub (formerly Studio i) will provide hands-on experiences and collaboration opportunities in digital literacy, video editing, motion graphics, color grading, camera operation, and more. Teens will learn, create, and showcase their work in the immersive theater at Main Library.
- Signature programming at Main Library. Programs at the uptown Main Library will help participants explore skilled trades careers, discover North Carolina’s history and family roots at a Library-hosted genealogy conference, and try new hobbies and creative activities. A monthly speaker series will feature nationally recognized authors, journalists, and other guests.
About Charlotte Mecklenburg Library
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library is one of America’s leading urban public libraries, serving a community of more than one million citizens in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. Through 21 locations, targeted outreach and online, the Library delivers exceptional services and programs, with a mission to improve lives and build a stronger community. For more, visit cmlibrary.org.
About Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Foundation
The Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Foundation exists to help the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library improve lives and build a stronger community. Created as a non-profit 501(c)(3) in September 2012, the Foundation supports Library services, expands the Library’s collection of print and digital materials, enhances programming for all ages, invests in innovative initiatives and strives to grow its endowment for future generations. For more, visit foundation.cmlibrary.org.
About Corning Incorporated
Corning (www.corning.com) is one of the world’s leading innovators in materials science, with a 175-year track record of life-changing inventions. Corning applies its unparalleled expertise in glass science, ceramic science, and optical physics along with its deep manufacturing and engineering capabilities to develop category-defining products that transform industries and enhance people’s lives. Corning succeeds through sustained investment in RD&E, a unique combination of material and process innovation, and deep, trust-based relationships with customers who are global leaders in their industries. Corning’s capabilities are versatile and synergistic, which allows the company to evolve to meet changing market needs, while also helping our customers capture new opportunities in dynamic industries. Today, Corning’s markets include optical communications, mobile consumer electronics, display, automotive, solar, semiconductors, and life sciences.