Charlotte, NC – April 20, 2020 – Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Foundation is promoting Library Giving Day on Thursday, April 23, a one-day fundraising event with the goal of encouraging people who depend on and enjoy public libraries to donate to their library system. From April 19-25, libraries and communities around the country will celebrate National Library Week, an annual appreciation for libraries. Thanks to a generous donor, all gifts up to $10,000 made on Library Giving Day will be matched for twice the impact. Learn more and donate at foundation.cmlibrary.org/library-giving-day.

Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Foundation invites the community to participate in Library Giving Day by sharing stories of the Library’s impact on social media using the hashtags #CMLgivingday and #LibraryGivingDay, making a donation or hosting an online fundraiser to support the Library Foundation. A special installment of the program series Final Draught: Home Edition will feature a live chat with New York Times best-seller Karin Slaughter at 7 p.m. on the Library Foundation’s Facebook page.

Last fiscal year, donations from individuals, corporations and foundations supported the development and launch of the College and Career Connections program for teens, an expanded digital literacy program for seniors, and helped to fund signature literacy initiatives including Summer Break, Community Read and Active Reading workshops.

“We know a lot is uncertain this year, and many organizations need support. Charlotte Mecklenburg Library is here for the community now, and we’ll be here when this crisis is behind us,” says Jenni Gaisbauer, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Foundation executive director. “Library Giving Day is an opportunity to stress just how essential a strong library system is. We deeply appreciate donations of any amount.”

While physical locations are closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many have turned to the Library seeking both information and resources. Requests for new library cards have dramatically increased – 400 new accounts were activated in the first week of the stay-at-home order. Librarians continue to serve teachers, students and newly home-schooling families with online educational resources. Virtual programming, from storytimes (in English and Spanish) and author events to guided meditation and “Book a Librarian” sessions (one-on-one consultations over video conferencing) have a growing following, with new offerings introduced weekly.

The Library has also responded to the community’s immediate needs during this crisis. 3D printers from Library makerspaces are being used to produce face shields for health care workers. Free Library Wi-Fi has been extended to outside the buildings at all branch locations helping to close the digital divide at a time when our community depends more than ever on free internet access.

When Charlotte-Mecklenburg re-emerges from the stay-at-home order and faces the long-term effects of the shutdown, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library will be ready. Although offering online and virtual programming now, services like job help workshops, small business resources, tax assistance and guidance navigating quickly changing public policies will ramp up as needed.

“Charlotte Mecklenburg Library was already known for innovation, but this crisis has proven our readiness to adapt, to meet quickly changing community needs, and to deliver on our mission with reliable, accessible resources – even in this unprecedented environment,” says Lee Keesler, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library’s CEO. “We’ve been through difficult periods before, and we’ll weather this one together. Your support makes it possible.”

About Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Foundation
The Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Foundation exists to help the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library improve lives and build a stronger community. Created as a non-profit 501(c)(3) in September 2012 in partnership with Foundation For The Carolinas and Charlotte Mecklenburg Library, the Foundation supports Library services, expands the Library’s collection of print and digital materials, enhances programming for all ages, invests in innovative initiatives and strives to grow its endowment for future generations. For more, visit foundation.cmlibrary.org.

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Media Contact: Melanie Baron
Marketing & Communications Specialist
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Foundation
(704) 416-0804

Email: mbaron@cmlibrary.org