Transformations, Spring 2025: This blog is excerpted from the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Foundation’s newsletter. To join our mailing list and receive the newsletter by mail, click here to enter your information. Physical copies of the newsletter are available at all Library locations. Digital versions of all issues can be found here.

Charlotte Mecklenburg Library expands reach with new facilities and refueled resources

On an unseasonable mild and clear February morning, the new University City Regional Library opened its doors on Waters Edge Village Drive. The inaugural opening was attended by local champions including Charles Thomas, Leslie Johnson, George Dunlap and Keith Stanley as well as Library CEO and chief librarian Marcellus Turner. Charlotte’s poet laureate Jay Ward shared a new piece entitled The Ground is Breaking, We Broke It, commissioned by the Library to mark this special day.

The 38,000-square-foot facility, representing a $39.6 million investment, is now the second-largest library in Mecklenburg County, offering 13,500 square feet more than its predecessor. The Library’s design by architect Gensler emphasizes accessibility, designed to be welcoming to all and oriented conveniently to public transportation.

Inside, customers can enjoy dedicated spaces for youth programs, study areas, community meetings, and a vibrant pre-teen and teen section. Adding an interactive experience, JE Dunn generously donated an Everbright board in the children’s area to foster creativity among our youngest visitors. A life-sized Appaloosa horse sculpture by celebrated North Carolina artist Anne Lemanski entitled Stella Terra and given by art patron Fleur Bresler stands at the top of the stairwell and welcomes visitors to the expansive second floor.

Over 60 donors placed books on the shelves during our “Fill the Shelves” campaign, adding new children’s and adult titles to the University City collection while recognizing and honoring their loved ones on custom bookplates in return for their gifts.

Ribbons on the Road

We celebrated Fifth Third Bank’s generous two-year commitment to MoLi (Mobile Library) with a ribbon cutting at First Baptist Church West on February 5 showcasing the new vehicle wrap. Library leadership and commissioners spoke about how vital this is to Mecklenburg County residents who lack easy access to books, technology, and community resources.

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From left to right: Dimple Ajmera, At-large Representative, City of Charlotte; Charles Thomas, Program Director, Knight Foundation and Board Chair, CM Library; Reneé Perkins Johnson, District 4 Representative, City of Charlotte; Debra Sharp, Branch Manager, University City Regional Library; Marcellus Turner, CEO and Chief Librarian, CM Library; George Dunlap, District 3 County Commissioner; Leslie Johnson, Deputy County Manager; Keith Stanley, President and CEO, University City Partners; Caitlin Moen, Chief Library Services Officer, CM Library; Leigh Altman, At-large County Commissioner and Vice Chair; Susan Rodriguez-McDowell, District 6 County Commissioner; and Laura Meier, District 5 County Commissioner