Allegra Westbrooks Regional Library branch manager Alesha Lackey and University City Regional Library branch manager Debra Sharp spoke at the 2025 Verse & Vino event
Library Locations
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
An Investment in Opportunity
Vanguard invests in opportunity through a new job help center at West Boulevard Library.
Thank You, and Happy Holidays!
A message as we wrap 2020.
(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
Libraries for All
Commitment to a more equitable community
What’s Hannah Terrell Reading?
A reading list for leaders adapting to challenge and change
Q&A with Caitlin Moen, Chief Customer Officer and Library Director
Library Director Caitlin Moen reflects on her new role and what lies ahead
(Re)-Named in Honor
Beatties Ford Road Library renamed for Allegra Westbrooks, tireless advocate, mentor and inspiration.
A Librarian on Giving, in Every Form
Gift in honor from family of volunteer means everything.
“Book a Librarian” Helps Small Business Owners Plan Next Chapter
Librarians find the right information for any situation.
Mask by Mask, Together
Library 3D printers support community effort amid COVID-19
Honoring Elizabeth S. Randolph
There were more people than chairs in the large community room at Beatties Ford Road Library on Sunday, February 18.…
Diligence and Discovery
Service impresses international researcher Jane Johnson, Manager of Charlotte Mecklenburg Library’s Robinson-Spangler Carolina Room, received the letter below from Charles…
A New Chapter
The doors swung open as Library board chair Jennifer Appleby exclaimed, “Welcome home!” Morrison Regional Library features a public makerspace…
Lost Memories, Found
Treasured scrapbook preserved in Robinson-Spangler Carolina Room
In Libraries we Trust
Sorting fact from fiction in an information-filled world In our information-filled world, it’s tricky to sort fact from fiction or…
Incubating Ideas
A Library patron works on a sewing project in Main Library’s Idea Box makerspace When Main Library’s “Idea Box” makerspace…
Truth or Fiction? Your Library can help!
David Singleton was the Director of Libraries for Charlotte Mecklenburg Library from 2008-2019. He is currently serving as the Executive…