A relatively new investor in the Charlotte region, their gift will be used as a challenge to the entire Charlotte Mecklenburg Library community during Around the World in 21 Branches, a traveling festival promoting the campaign.
BECAUSE OF YOU
Amazon stops “Smile”-ing: Turn incremental gifts into local impact with this easy (and better) alternative
An email from Amazon went out to AmazonSmile users about the discontinuation of their charity-donation program in February 2023, citing that “with so many eligible organizations—more than 1 million globally—our ability to have an impact was often spread too thin.” While we applaud Amazon’s efforts to maximize their philanthropic efforts,…
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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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Howard R. Levine $1M Donation to support Opportunity Center in new Main Library
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Foundation is excited to announce a generous investment of $1 million from the Howard R. Levine Foundation to The CommonSpark Campaign. This gift will support the Howard R. Levine Opportunity Center in the new Main Library, slated to open in late 2025.
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.
Help Wanted… and Received: Verizon grant to energize Library Job Help Centers
The role of the librarian is constantly evolving. Ever the knowledge specialists, select librarians in all 20 branches will be…
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Vanguard/Campaign for Grade Level Reading invests in Parents Succeeding
Parents can be their children’s first and best teachers – but they need the tools.
Main Library: A Place of New Beginnings
“Libraries hold the tools and support to make dreams come true.”
Private Support Extends a Digital Lifeline
Merancas Foundation investment reduces MeckTech waiting list by 25%
