November 15, 2024 — Gratitude and Good News: The Update is a periodic e-newsletter for Foundation supporters
Librarians represent at Verse & Vino
Allegra Westbrooks Regional Library branch manager Alesha Lackey and University City Regional Library branch manager Debra Sharp spoke at the 2025 Verse & Vino event
The Update for October 25, 2024
October 25, 2024 — Lucky Number 13: The Update is a periodic e-newsletter for Foundation supporters
EpicFest 2024
EpicFest is an extraordinary, free literary festival that joyfully connects children, teens and families with books and the people who write them through activities that encourage a love of reading and learning.
The Update for October 4, 2024
October 4, 2024 — A Place of Safety: The Update is a periodic e-newsletter for Foundation supporters
The Update for September 13, 2024
September 13, 2024 — An Update from our Board Chair: The Update is a periodic e-newsletter for Foundation supporters
2024 Verse & Vino sparks joy with exciting author line-up and bourbon collaboration
Tickets for the November 7 event presented by PNC Bank are on sale now
VERSE & VINO Spotlight: Jessica Shattuck
The Buzz: “Shattuck channels complex history through the saga of a single family” — Booklist
VERSE & VINO Spotlight: Edward Lee
The Buzz: Lee won the 2019 James Beard Award For Best Book Of Year In Writing
VERSE & VINO Spotlight: Emiko Jean
The Buzz: “Truly jaw dropping” —Jessica Knoll, New York Times bestselling author of Luckiest Girl Alive and Bright Young Women
VERSE & VINO Spotlight: Essie Chambers
The Buzz: “A sensational debut” — Paul Beatty, author of Man Booker prizewinner The Sellout
The Update for August 23, 2024
August 23, 2024 — If there is a will, there’s a way: The Update is a periodic e-newsletter for Foundation supporters
The Update for August 2, 2024
August 2, 2024 — Goodbye and Hello: The Update is a periodic e-newsletter for Foundation supporters
The Update for July 12, 2024
July 12, 2024 — What I Am Reading: The Update is a periodic e-newsletter for Foundation supporters
Pineville’s Around the World in 21 Branches Event
Join us at the 14TH STOP on the Around the World in 21 Branches Festival Tour!
South County Regional’s Around the World in 21 Branches Event
Join us at the 13TH STOP on the Around the World in 21 Branches Festival Tour!
The Update for June 14, 2024
June 14, 2024 — A Capitol Experience: The Update is a periodic e-newsletter for Foundation supporters
Book of You with Joe Posnanski
Join us for a celebration of summer on the 11th / 12th STOP on the Around the World in 21 Branches Festival Tour.
Talk of the Town: New Main Library
No update on Charlotte Mecklenburg Library growth is complete without a nod to new Main Library.
ImaginOn’s Around the World in 21 Branches Event
Join us at the NINTH STOP on the Around the World in 21 Branches Festival Tour!
Reading Mascots get turn in the spotlight during Book Club Madness
Reading buddies come in all shapes and sizes… furry friends, special bookmarks, favorite mugs, comfiest spots in the house, and of course, book club friends! See the gallery.
Allegra Westbrooks Regional Library’s Around the World in 21 Branches Event
Join us at the NINTH STOP on the Around the World in 21 Branches Festival Tour!
Plaza Midwood’s Around the World in 21 Branches Event
Join us at the EIGHTH STOP on the Around the World in 21 Branches Festival Tour!
Sugar Creek Library’s Around the World in 21 Branches Event
Join us at the SEVENTH STOP on the Around the World in 21 Branches Festival Tour!
Verse & Vino’s tenth anniversary celebration
The tenth annual Verse & Vino brought together seasoned attendees, newcomers, library advocates and great authors in one room!
Independence Regional’s Around the World in 21 Branches Event
Join us at the SIXTH STOP on the Around the World in 21 Branches Festival Tour!
Matthews’ Around the World in 21 Branches Event
Join us at the FIFTH STOP on the Around the World in 21 Branches Festival Tour!
2023 Verse & Vino celebrates a decade of literature and libraries with five New York Times best-selling authors including Roxane Gay
The Tenth annual Verse & Vino — an evening celebrating great writers, great wine and library supporters featuring New York Times bestselling authors Melanie Benjamin, Roxane Gay, Sadeqa Johnson, Etaf Rum, and Brad Taylor.
VERSE & VINO Spotlight: Roxane Gay
The Buzz: Bad Feminist author shares “A Decade of Arguments, Criticism, and Minding Other People’s Business”
Mint Hill Library’s Around the World in 21 Branches Event
Join us at the FOURTH STOP on the Around the World in 21 Branches Festival Tour!
VERSE & VINO Spotlight: Brad Taylor
The Buzz: “Once deemed the heir apparent to W.E.B. Griffin, Taylor is now laying claim to being the American John Le Carre.” —Providence Journal
VERSE & VINO Spotlight: Etaf Rum
The Buzz: Time magazine chose Evil Eye as one of the most anticipated books of the year.
VERSE & VINO Spotlight: Sadeqa Johnson
The Buzz: “Amazing…I was completely surprised by the ending of this beautifully told and written book.” —Reese Witherspoon
VERSE & VINO Spotlight: Melanie Benjamin
The Buzz: “Melanie Benjamin pairs the surf culture of the Beach Boys with the sex, drugs, and rock ’n’ roll of Daisy Jones & the Six. . . . Benjamin’s novel is a portrait of three women beset by shifting cultural tides and a shimmering rendering of the promises and heartbreak of Southern California.” —Entertainment Weekly
Construction of new Main Library makes national design news
The new Main Library groundbreaking brought a well-deserved spotlight to the innovative and architecturally-stunning project led by internationally-acclaimed architects Snøhetta.
What’s Cooking with Shef Shaun?
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Foundation is featuring Shaun “Shef” Williams at the next event at Mint Hill Library on Saturday, September 16. He will be doing cooking demonstrations — specifically for those with little time to cook or meal plan.
Hickory Grove Library’s Around the World in 21 Branches Event
Join us at the THIRD STOP on the Around the World in 21 Branches Festival Tour!
University City Regional Library’s Around the World in 21 Branches Event
Join us at the SECOND STOP on the Around the World in 21 Branches Festival Tour!
North County Regional Library’s Around the World in 21 Branches Event
North County Regional Library is the FIRST STOP on the Around the World in 21 Branches Festival Tour. Learn more about the traveling festival here.
Carnegie Circle Event featuring NoViolet Bulawayo
“I felt like I was sitting in the living room with my two most interesting author friends. That’s what good storytelling looks like — you become engrossed in the conversation and forget where you are.” Board member Caroleen Burroughs shares her thoughts on the Carnegie Circle event.
Final Draught with Barbara Johnson
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Foundation welcomes Barbara Johnson to the Final Draught stage on Monday, July 17 at 6:00 pm at Town Brewing Company. The debut author will be sharing her latest work, A Head of Cabbage: A Memoir.
Final Draught’s Triple Feature
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Foundation welcomes Joy Callaway, Erika Montgomery and Kim Wright to the Final Draught stage on Monday, June 19 at 6:00 pm at Town Brewing Company. The three novelists will be sharing their latest works, Callaway’s All the Pretty Faces, Montgomery’s Our Place on the Island and Wright’s The Longest Day of the Year.
Final Draught with Lee Smith
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Foundation welcomes Lee Smith to the Final Draught virtual stage on Wednesday, May 17 at 4:00 pm. The New York Times best-selling author will be sharing her latest work, Silver Alert.
Final Draught with Junious “Jay” Ward
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Foundation welcomes Junious “Jay” Ward to the Final Draught stage on Monday, May 1 at 6:00 pm at Town Brewing Company. The nationally award-winning poet and Charlotte’s inaugural Poet Laureate will be sharing his latest work, Composition.
Giving Tuesday 2022
As the caboose of the weekend following Thanksgiving (starting with the infamous Black Friday, then Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday) Giving Tuesday is an opportunity to focus on and celebrate the places and people who strengthen and support our community. Obviously, here at the Library Foundation, we want to shine a spotlight on our libraries and library staff.
Verse & Vino 2022
The Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Foundation was back at the Charlotte Convention Center at Verse & Vino this year. We are thrilled to announce that we had 1,100 people in attendance and raised over $475,000… with donations still coming in. If there is a group of people more dedicated, enthusiastic and committed to improving and strengthening an organization like the Library, it’s our Verse & Vino guests. They’re the reason why we are one of America’s leading urban public libraries.
This year we were joined once again by our emcee Sheri Lynch and five outstanding New York Times bestselling authors: David Baldacci, Sarah McCoy, Javier Zamora, Megan Giddings, and Adriana Trigiani.
VERSE & VINO Spotlight: Megan Giddings
The Buzz: A fan of Margaret Atwood, Shirley Jackson, and Octavia Butler? Then we’ve found your new favorite.
Verse & Vino is back with New York Times bestselling authors David Baldacci, Adriana Trigiani and more
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Foundation announces the ninth annual Verse & Vino — an evening of great writers, great wine and library supporters. The evening will feature New York Times bestselling authors David Baldacci, Adriana Trigiani, Megan Giddings and Sarah McCoy plus newcomer Javier Zamora.
VERSE & VINO Spotlight: David Baldacci
The Buzz: Hop on for another spine-tingling ride with a mystery-writing maestro
VERSE & VINO Spotlight: Sarah McCoy
The Buzz: A 1970s sun-kissed romp on a star-studded private island (with cameos from a Rolling Stone and a British Royal)
VERSE & VINO Spotlight: Adriana Trigiani
The Buzz: “A comedy writer with a heart of gold” (New York Times) weaves 21st century Italian family dynamics with long buried secrets in her latest novel
VERSE & VINO Spotlight: Javier Zamora
The Buzz: a highly anticipated debut from the acclaimed poet has been hailed as “the mythic journey of our era” (Sandra Cisneros)
Kathy Reichs: A Look Back
How fortunate we are to call New York Times best-selling author and acclaimed forensic anthropologist Kathy Reichs neighbor, friend and Charlotte Mecklenburg Library supporter.
To a crowd of almost 200 Kathy entertained with tales of her real-life adventures dealing in mind-boggling murders and macabre mysteries with a delightful dose of humor.
Are virtual events losing popularity?
If our March 30 event “Conversation with New York Times bestselling author Marie Benedict” is any indicator, the answer is no. With almost 200 people registered for the event, it’s clear that virtual events are here to stay at the Library Foundation, even as our in-person events begin again.
She changed the world with her discovery. Three men took the credit.
Join us for a live conversation on March 30th with New York Times bestselling historical fiction author Marie Benedict about her latest novel Her Hidden Genius. Benedict’s powerful new work shines a light on a woman who sacrificed her life to discover the nature of our very DNA, a woman whose world-changing contributions were hidden by the men around her but whose relentless drive advanced our understanding of humankind. Join the author on Wednesday, March 30th at noon to learn more about the inspiration behind her latest real-life heroine, Rosalind Franklin.
How the Foundation is supporting Community Read
The Library’s month-long event — Community Read — inspires an active dialogue through discussions, book clubs and events hosted with community partners. This year’s spokespeople Library CEO and Chief Librarian Marcellus “MT” Turner and Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles will help amplify the importance of this year’s event theme and join a goal of 10,000 participants. That’s 10% of Mecklenburg County!
At Home? At Town? You Decide!
It’s Time to Plan Your Celebration!
Todd’s Verse & Vino Party Tips 2
THANK YOU to Verse & Vino Sponsors
Join the Party – at Town Brewing Co!
Todd’s Verse & Vino Party Tips!
The Authors are IN!
Carnegie Circle 2021
An Evening with Annette Gordon-Reed
Moderated by Carol Quillen
Featuring “On Juneteenth”
Best-Selling Author Lineup for 7th Annual Verse & Vino Fundraiser
Five best-selling authors headline an all-new digital platform
New Digital Format for 7th Annual Verse & Vino
Innovative new format makes Verse & Vino more inclusive than ever.
Verse & Vino 2020 Goes Virtual!
Completely reimagined, the city’s biggest book club can be even bigger!
At Home with Nicholas Graham and Cecelia Moore
April 21, 2020 on Facebook Live
EpicFest is for Teens, Too!
There’s an epic component reserved for teens – and that’s by design.
Redefining Charlotte’s Food Scene
June 8, 2017 at 7th Street Public Market
Art is Hard: Surviving and Thriving as an Artist in Charlotte
November 15, 2019 at Elder Gallery
The Tao of Bill Murray with Gavin Edwards
August 13, 2019 at Town Brewing Company
Janis Joplin: Her Life and Music with Holly George-Warren
January 15, 2020 at Town Brewing Company
Authenticity, Literacy and Community
President Bill Clinton and James Patterson shared their love of books and literacy.
Books, Beer…and Connection
Audiences come for the beer, the books, the topics…and increasingly, the networking.
A Magical Setting for EpicFest
“The perfect convergence of setting and experience,” by Mark I. West
Books, Wine and So Much More
“We’re all Library users. Finding a way for our book club to support the Library was a natural fit.”
2018: Denise Kiernan Speaks of History and Legacy
“I literally can’t do what I do without libraries.”
Talking Draughts at Final Draught
A scientist, a designer, a banker, and an organic farmer walked into a bar.
Final Draught is a Hot Ticket!
Food from home, long days, maxed-out credit cards, and turning dreams into opportunity.
2017: A Delicious Evening with Vivian Howard
Featuring universal connections between place, people, food and stories.
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