November 15, 2024 — Gratitude and Good News: The Update is a periodic e-newsletter for Foundation supporters
Libraries Matter
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
A Horse in the Library
A stunning sculpture finds a new home at the Library
The Update for October 25, 2024
October 25, 2024 — Lucky Number 13: The Update is a periodic e-newsletter for Foundation supporters
The Room with a view of the past and the future
A librarian’s legacy of historical preservation will live on with new technology for the Carolina Room
Well-groomed and well-read
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library outreach team developed barbershop-based reading spaces and increased reading opportunities for boys of color in local communities
The Starrs align for Main Library programming
Stephanie and Gary Starr want to get to know you. And they’re creating the perfect reason to do it.
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
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
Flight Fund: A Home Economics Revival
A story of impact: Fast food restaurants. Convenience foods. Rising food prices. Expensive cooking classes. Enter the Library.
Flight Fund: Just Add Water
A story of impact: The Library serves as a first step toward learning so many new skills — so why not swimming?
Flight Fund: Story Time for All
A story of impact: Jennifer Williams-Cannon created a story time for marginalized children at the Library
Flight Fund: All Things Gardening
A story of impact: Andrea Davis brings her passion for gardening to the Library
The Update for June 14, 2024
June 14, 2024 — A Capitol Experience: The Update is a periodic e-newsletter for Foundation supporters
Tia and the Mayor of Midwood
A story of impact: “I was about to throw in the towel,” Tia remembers in a particularly overwhelming time in her life. In 2022, Tia joined Roof Above as a nurse and met a familiar face from her days studying at the Library: her old friend James.
Lessons of a Library Dropout
“Before we get started, there’s something you should know. I’m 51 years old, and I’ve never set foot inside a public library.”
Talk of the Town: New Main Library
No update on Charlotte Mecklenburg Library growth is complete without a nod to new Main Library.
Combatting the Cost of Caring
When your workplace is the neighborhood’s favorite hangout, you meet all the faces of humanity. And library staff see it all … and feel it all.
The Personal Side of Programming
Programs like Project Outpour and Learn2Earn at the Library help our neighbors build confidence and dignity.
Home, Work and … Library?
This #LibraryGivingDay, a one-day fundraising event on April 3, we make the case for the Library as a great “third place.”
Flight Fund grant recipients cleared for takeoff
Established in 2023, the Flight Fund awards Library staff with financial support up to $2,500 for creating and expanding community activities that align with Library programming and equity priorities.
Top Titles at the Library in 2023
As we bid farewell to another year, it’s time to unveil what our customers checked out the most in 2023.
A Message from Library CEO Marcellus Turner
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library During Uncertain Times
The new Main Library project takes top honors with Nerve readers
Queen City Nerve, Charlotte’s alternative newspaper, published their winners for this year’s “Best in the Nest” competition on November 29, 2023.
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.
Bringing Public Art to the Library
CML Associate Director Tony Talent shares how the Library is working diligently to make art and artful experiences more accessible to all our communities.
Principal Foundation harnesses the power of storytelling
Principal® Foundation, a global nonprofit committed to helping people and communities build financially secure futures, is launching Money Chronicles: A Story Initiative, using the power of storytelling to help destigmatize and encourage conversations about money and personal finances.
A Message from the Library’s CEO and Chief Librarian
Marcellus Turner shares news about the progress of new Main Library and the current redevelopment challenges.
Remembering Rolfe
Rolfe, best known for being the publisher of The Charlotte Observer, passed away this past weekend at 90. He was dedicated to reporting the truth and upholding intellectual freedom. Naturally, being a steadfast Library supporter wasn’t a big leap.
Equipping the Next Generation of Leaders
Loft Leaders Academy is an innovative new teen program offered at Charlotte Mecklenburg Library that received a grant through the Flight Fund to make the program fly.
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 TBR list? Any surprises?
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!
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.
What is Caroleen Burroughs reading?
Foundation Board member Caroleen Burroughs is back with an inspiring new list of 2022 favorites and how she turned her birthday into a philanthropic celebration. (And she thinks you should do it, too!) Learn more in her latest blog for the Foundation.
What is Caton Morris reading?
Caton and her husband Charlie are dedicated supporters of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library. She has enjoyed volunteering as a member of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Foundation’s annual Verse & Vino planning committee since 2017, and recently joined the Foundation’s Board. Prior to taking time to focus on raising her three young children, Caton was a public and investor relations consultant for 13 years in the biotechnology industry. Check out her spooky-themed picks, just in time for Halloween!
A Conversation with Gene Cochrane
Executive Director Jenni Gaisbauer chatted with Board Chair Gene Cochrane to learn more about his passion for the Library.
Brick & Mortar & Beyond: UNC Charlotte Partnership
Last fall the Library’s first Masters of Social Work intern Miosha Johnson blazed a much-needed trail — developing a program…
What is Alan Michael Parker reading?
Davidson College’s Douglas Houchens Professor of English Alan Michael Parker is a man of many talents. While he is an accomplished novelist, poet, critic and scholar, Alan Michael is also getting attention for his avant-garde cartoons.
Take a look at some of his creations along with some recommendations you don’t want to miss.
8 Reasons Why Your Book Club is the Best
During the pandemic, book clubs have been a lifeline. Those literary-focused, often-virtual social events were a welcome distraction from the upheaval in work, school, families, children, and life. Even now when the new normal is starting to become the “normal” normal, our book clubs reignite the joy of friendship and help us rediscover the magic in books.
Keeping a Language Alive
There is a reason why Tamil is thought to be the oldest language in the world. Charlotte Tamil Library Volunteer Group (a.k.a. Charlotte Tamil Noolaga Kuzhu) have devoted time and gifts to bring 150 Tamil books to Charlotte Mecklenburg Library patrons — and they don’t plan on stopping. Their limitless energy and dedication to learning and language enriches our entire community.
A treasure unearthed Uptown: the oldest known map of Charlotte
There are countless treasures hidden in attics, basements, garages… and even Uptown Charlotte office buildings. A recent law firm’s relocation unearthed a rare map and launched a Carolina Room investigation.
Learning Loss and the Library
As we begin to survey the landscape the pandemic has left behind, our focus has been pulled to the impact made on our national education system. Nationally, children returned to the classroom with at least six to eight months of learning and educational development lost to time. The great pivot from in-person to online revealed how ill-prepared U.S. education systems were for such a massive shift in teaching and learning.
But it also uncovered a well of resilience.
Volunteer Betty Verner’s Big Surprise
Currently a volunteer at the Matthews branch, Betty Verner can’t remember a time when the library wasn’t part of her life. She was moved to tears by a thoughtful birthday gift from her son Ritch and daughter-in-law Susan. See what they gave her.
Charles Bowman and the Most Literate City in America
Charles Bowman believes, “Libraries are the land of opportunities. Places where people come together.” Today we celebrate Charles’ retirement of a celebrated career with Bank of America and the many ways he has helped make our community a better place for families. Charles can be described in many ways: attorney, community leader, friend and advocate but our favorite way is library champion.
From Seattle to Charlotte: Library Giving Day is coming to your neighborhood
#LibraryGivingDay is a one-day fundraising event on April 6th, with the goal of encouraging people who depend on and enjoy Charlotte Mecklenburg Library to donate.
Digital Innovation Meets Equity at the Library
Connecting people with the information and tools they need to thrive is what libraries do. In May we shared Miranda’s story, a new resident who was unemployed and supporting five children. She was able to get a refurbished laptop through the MeckTech program and start building a better life for her family.
A Tool for Equity
This fall, a new vehicle hits the road – with a Library inside!
A New Online Home for the Living Archives
NC Humanities grant funds website to house archive
Main Library: A Place of New Beginnings
“Libraries hold the tools and support to make dreams come true.”
Equity Impact Circles Focus on Understanding
Partnership with Community Building Initiative facilitates dialogue across difference
Stonewall Sports Charlotte celebrates Pride Month with donation of LGBTQ children’s books
Titles will augment Library collection
Private Support Extends a Digital Lifeline
Merancas Foundation investment reduces MeckTech waiting list by 25%
Inclusion
“Until everyone has these tools, we have a lot of work to do.”
Shared Investment Multiplies Impact
With funding from Google Fiber, new partnership brings Wi-Fi to neighbors experiencing homelessness
Living Archive will Document Local Impact of Covid-19 on Under-Represented Communities
“an important resource as we work toward a more equitable future”
(Re)Discovering the Library’s Importance in our Community
from Library trustee Charles Thomas
We Can, We Do, We Will
Reflections from Lee Keesler, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library CEO
Connecting Community
Together we can provide information and opportunities to engage
Libraries for All
Commitment to a more equitable community
Q&A with Caitlin Moen, Chief Customer Officer and Library Director
Library Director Caitlin Moen reflects on her new role and what lies ahead
A statement from Charlotte Mecklenburg Library
On equity, access, diversity, inclusion and democracy
For the Love of Libraries
Libraries are a recurring character in the lives of readers and writers.
Reflections on the Knight Library and New Media Conference
from Library Foundation board member Gene Cochrane
Beyond Books: The Transformation of Charlotte’s Main Library, with $10M from Knight
Knight’s largest commitment to date in Charlotte.
Do We Still Need Libraries to Learn?
Libraries are those special places you can go to get exactly what you need and come out with so much more.
Libraries Connect
NBC Charlotte reports on a Library program changing a neighborhood.
Is Reading Relevant?
What are kids not doing if they are on devices a good part of the day?
Libraries and Equity
The Library doesn’t focus on who you know or what stock you come from.