THE 2024 CHALLENGES

Community Read Challenge
Wednesday, March 6 – Tuesday, March 12

Each year, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library hosts a big, exciting, community-wide book club known as Community Read, and we thought this would be a great way to kick off Book Club Madness! Community Read is open to all and encourages everyone to read a book, share perspectives, attend a program, engage on social media, and build a stronger community together.

This year the Community Read theme is “food as a connector”. Click here to read more about the county-wide reading experience. Score points by doing the following challenges:

Two Pointers

Join the Library’s Community Read reading challenge here with Beanstack.

Pick up or check out the signature adult book Buttermilk Graffiti at the Library.

Rate Buttermilk Graffiti on Library’s BiblioCommons.

Three Pointers

Make Buttermilk Graffiti your book club selection for March, April, or May.

Write a review about Buttermilk Graffiti on Library’s BiblioCommons.

Register for the Community Read program with Edward Lee on March 19.

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

Take the Library’s strategic planning survey.

Pick up your free tote at any branch. (Totes will be available at all branches starting Friday, March 8.)

Post a picture of your tote on any social media platform.

Plus every week you can score multiple free throws for each of the following challenges:

Check out a book, e-book, audio book or film: 1 point per item.

Visit a branch: 1 point per visit.

Like and/or reply to the social media “Question of the Week” on our Twitter, Facebook, and/or Instagram pages for 1 point each.

Cast your votes on the Book Club Bracket. This week is the Sweet Sixteen (1 point per week.)

Team Spirit Challenge
Wednesday, March 13 – Tuesday, March 19

Two Pointers

  • Instant Replay: Rate the books that you’ve read more than once on the Library BiblioCommon website. If the book is not in our collection, “Suggest a Purchase” to our collections department.
  • Double Dribble: Answer the poll question Do you read more than one book at a time?’ for two points. CLICK HERE for the poll.
  • Benched: Answer the poll question “Have you ever “benched” a book?” for two points. CLICK HERE for the poll.

Three Pointers

  • Team Mascots: Share a picture of your reading buddy. Is it a furry friend? A special bookmark? Your favorite mug? The comfiest spot in the Library? Post online and tag us or upload HERE for us to share on our social media and/or website.
  • Time-out refreshments: Try the beer made for the Library by Town Brewing Company called Brewey Decimal — on special this week at the brewery.
  • Sport your team’s colors: Show your collegiate spirit by wearing your alma mater or favorite school’s gear and posting to social media.

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

Take the Library’s strategic planning survey.

Pick up your free tote at any branch. (Totes will be available at all branches starting Friday, March 8 while supplies last.)

Post a picture of your tote on any social media platform.

Plus every week you can score multiple free throws for each of the following challenges:

Check out a book, e-book, audio book or film: 1 point per item.

Visit a branch: 1 point per visit.

Like and/or reply to the social media “Question of the Week” on our Twitter, Facebook, and/or Instagram pages for 1 point each.

Cast your votes on the Book Club Bracket. This week is the Elite Eight (1 point per week.)

The CommonSpark Challenge
Wednesday, March 20 – Tuesday, March 26

Two Pointers

We have hidden 3 “Easter Eggs*” on the CommonSpark website. Find all three and earn 6 points. (Hint: Look for the falling books.)

Click here, here and here for the CommonSpark website.

*An Easter Egg is a hidden surprise or extra feature that is included in something such as a website, computer game or a film, for the person using or watching it to find and enjoy.

Three Pointers

Find the CommonSpark symbol hidden at our Library branches. Give yourself three points per branch.

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

Take the Library’s strategic planning survey.

Pick up your free tote at any branch. (Totes will be available at all branches while supplies last.)

Post a picture of your tote on any social media platform.

Plus every week you can score multiple free throws for each of the following challenges:

Check out a book, e-book, audio book or film: 1 point per item.

Visit a branch: 1 point per visit.

Like and/or reply to the social media “Question of the Week” on our Twitter, Facebook, and/or Instagram pages for 1 point each.

Cast your votes on the Book Club Bracket. This week is the Final Four (1 point per week.)

The Pay It Forward Challenge
Wednesday, March 27 – Tuesday, April 2

Two Pointers

  • Drop a thank you note to the Library staff at your favorite branch (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 a book to someone.

Three Pointers

  • 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 recruiting a new book club member.
  • Help us promote Library Giving Day on your social media sites. Download your special Book Club Madness graphic here.

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

  • Take the Library’s strategic planning survey.
  • Pick up your free tote at any branch. (Totes will be available at all branches while supplies last.)
  • Post a picture of your tote on any social media platform.

Plus every week you can score multiple free throws for each of the following challenges:

  • Check out a book, e-book, audio book or film: 1 point per item.
  • Visit a branch: 1 point per visit.
  • Like and/or reply to the social media “Question of the Week” on our Twitter, Facebook, and/or Instagram pages for 1 point each.
  • Cast your votes on the Book Club Bracket. This week decides the winner (1 point per week.)
Once you’ve completed a challenge (or multiple challenges) click the button to enter your points. You may submit the form multiple times, but we recommend doing it once a week. Challenges open on Wednesdays. Make sure you get your points added by following Tuesday at midnight to count toward your book club’s total.