Charlotte Mecklenburg Library News & Events 

May 2012
Library Hours

All libraries will be closed Monday, May 28 for Memorial Day. 

Library Hours   

or

Reminder:
Summer hours start in June; Main Library and ImaginOn will be closed on Sundays during the summer. See article in this issue for details. 
In This Issue
Rate your most recent library experience
May is Older Americans Month
Summer Reading
Graduation tools for teens
Reminder: North County Regional Library closed May 7 - June 9
Early Voting
Summer hours begin in June
Catch the Friends' Book Sale before it ends
Library News
Your Library Online
 

A great story needs great characters. Become a library volunteer!
If you would like to make a difference in your community as a volunteer at the Library, contact Volunteer Coordinator Chauna Wall at cwall@cmlibrary.org or (704) 416-0711. Visit the Library's volunteer page to see a complete list of opportunities.
Want a sneak peek
at what's coming
to your library?

Wowbrary
Find out about the Library's latest book, DVD and CD offerings through a free, weekly e-mail or RSS feed. Visit Wowbrary, put in your ZIP code, select "Charlotte Mecklenburg Library," enter your e-mail address, and follow the on-screen instructions.
 
See a sample weekly newsletter.
We're social, too!
Join Our List
Join Our Mailing List
RATE YOUR MOST RECENT LIBRARY EXPERIENCE
Take The Survey
MAY IS OLDER AMERICANS MONTH
Older Americans MonthMay is Older Americans Month, a perfect opportunity to show our appreciation for the older adults in our community. 
 
The Library recognizes that older adults play an important role by sharing their experience, wisdom, and understanding, and passing on that knowledge to other generations in a variety of significant ways.

During May, those age 65 and up are encouraged to "Bring a Friend or Recommend." Just bring a friend to the library or write a short book review, and as a thank you, we'll waive up to $10 in overdue fines. Book review forms are available at libraries. Call or visit your nearest branch for details.

The public library provides services, support, and resources to older Americans year-round, including free activities and events that promote intergenerational engagement and recreation. Check out the schedule of programs and activities happening at your library at cmlibrary.org/programs
We invite you to join in the fun! 
 
SUMMER READING
Summer Reading
No matter what your age, there's a summer reading program for you!

Get Set for Summer... Reading!
Online Summer Reading sign-up starts May 21.
Programs run June 12 - August 10, 2012.

 

What comes to mind when you think about summer? Swimming? Summer camp? Barbecues? Music in the park? This year, why not make reading and sharing books part of your summer fun?

Mark your calendars, because the Library's annual summer reading program starts June 12. And this year we're making some improvements.
  • It's online! Summer reading for all ages (except pre-readers) will now be now online! And you can sign up as early as May 21 at www.cmlibrary.org/summmerread. If you don't have a computer at home, come to the library and sign up using one of ours.
  • New program for adults! We're still offering summer reading for pre-readers, school-age children, and teens, but we're also adding a robust summer reading program series for adults -- because adults who read serve as great models of reading for young people.
Just like previous years, participants who finish reading the required number of hours will be eligible for great prizes. Sponsoring businesses are donating nearly $66,000 worth of prizes to help encourage participants to keep reading all summer long.

No matter what your reason for reading, you reap great benefits. Teachers and literacy experts agree that reading throughout the summer helps students retain skills learned during the school year. Most importantly, when parents and children enjoy summer reading together, children develop a love of books and reading that lasts a lifetime.

Last year, 17,138 children and teens participated in the library's summer reading program, documenting more than 184,000 hours read. We hope you'll join us this year! 

Visit www.cmlibrary.org/summerread starting May 21! 
 
Summer Reading is brought to you by Charlotte Mecklenburg Library with generous support from these sponsors and many others: 
Wendy'sNothing But Noodles 

 

GRADUATION TOOLS FOR TEENS

Working on your graduation project? 

Your Library has a lot of resources to help support your graduation project. Download our Graduation Project Support handout to see what we have available. Or visit the homework page of libraryloft.org for even more info on getting help with school work.  

 

See a list of programs and events for teens.

REMINDER: NORTH COUNTY CLOSED MAY 7-JUNE 9
Temporary Service Outlet at Birkdale Village
During the North County closure, visit the Temporary Service Outlet at Birkdale Village
Improvements are underway at North County Regional Library. Library will be closed May 7-June 9.
North County Regional branch is currently undergoing a window replacement renovation and will be closed from May 7 to June 9. During the closure, customers may pick up their holds at our Temporary Service Outlet at Birkdale Village, located next to the Regal Birkdale Stadium 16 theater. Click here for more information.

We apologize for the temporary inconvenience and thank you for your understanding while we continue to make your library an even better place to visit.
 
Space for the Temporary Service Outlet  is generously provided by Birkdale Village.
Early Voting

Early voting happening at select libraries through May 5. 
The Board of Elections is using eleven libraries for one-stop early voting from April 30 - May 5, 2012 (Beatties Ford Road, Independence, Main, Matthews, Morrison, Mountain Island, North County, South County, Steele Creek, University City, and West Boulevard). 

 

See a printable schedule of early voting locations, dates and times. 

 

For complete information on voting in Mecklenburg County, please visit the Mecklenburg County Board of Elections Office web site, or call 704-336-2133. 

SUMMER HOURS BEGIN IN JUNE
Library Hours
Click to view a printable chart of library hours across Mecklenburg County.
Main Library and ImaginOn will again be closed on Sundays in the summer starting June 3 and ending September 9 as part of a cost-saving measure that began in the summer of 2009.

Some library services will continue to be available around-the-clock, including the library's 24-hour book drops, online account access and catalog searching, and the library's automated telephone renewal line at 704.416.7363.
 
SUPPORT YOUR LIBRARY

Friends of the Library Book Sale

Book Sale bannerThere are only a few days left to grab great bargains at the Spring Friends of the Library Benefit Book Sale. It's being held now through Saturday, May 5 in CBRE SouthPark Towers at 6100 Fairview Road, on the corner of Barclay Downs and Fairview Rd. See map.

 

Hours during the week are 11:00 am to 6:00 pm and on the last day of the sale, Saturday May 5, they're 9:00 am to 12:00 Noon. 

 

Can't make it to the sale? Consider supporting the Library with a tax-deductible gift to the Friends. You can make a gift online at www.cmlibrary.org/donatenowYour gift will help the Library serve the community above and beyond what tax-based funding provides. Beyond knowing how much your support means to improving access to critical library resources, you'll also receive benefits depending on your level of support. Gifts of $100 or more will also receive the Donor Perk Card for discounts on purchases from participating local businesses.

 

Friends of the Library

Stay tuned to www.cmlibraryfriends.org for the latest news on Friends of the Library events and activities.

 

Funds raised by the Friends of the Library book sale will benefit Charlotte Mecklenburg libraries.

 

Library News

 

Main Library Committee issues final report

After completion of its research, analysis and deliberations, the Main Library Committee has issued this final written report. The Main Library committee was first proposed by the Future of the Library Task Force in Spring 2011 to specifically study the Main Library and provide recommendations. The report is available online

  

World Book Night 

World Book Night took place on April 23, 2012. This event is an annual celebration in which tens of thousands of people go into their communities to spread the love of reading by giving out books donated by publishers and individuals. Charlotte Mecklenburg Library received about 400 books which Library staff delivered to people unable to come to the library due to access issues. See photos from the event 

We hope that you find this e-mail useful. If so, please forward to a friend so they won't miss a thing.

 

We'll see you at the Library!