Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday
All libraries will be closed in observance of MLK Day on Monday, January 20th. See schedule. 

We will also use this time to update our account database. During this time the Classic Catalog, Online fine payment, TeleCirc will not be available. The Enhanced Catalog will still provide limited searching of the catalog, but you will not be able to place holds. We anticipate this interruption will take place during the day and be fully functional by Tuesday, Jan 21st. 
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News&Events

January 2013

"For last year's words belong to last year's language 
 
And next year's words await another voice." 
  
WTVI's Trail of History program showcases the Robinson-Spangler Carolina Room

Our Carolina Room is "helping people understand the past, so they can better appreciate who they are in the present," notes David Singleton, Charlotte Mecklenburg Director of Libraries, in his introduction to WTVI's "Trail of History" episode about the Library's Robinson-Spangler Carolina Room. 

If you missed the episode, you can watch online and learn more about the Carolina Room's fascinating role in preserving our community's history and in helping individuals discover their personal histories through genealogy. Here's the link to view the program: Trail of History - Robinson Spangler Carolina Room
 
January Highlights
Martin Luther King Jr Celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
 
North Carolina Association of 
Black Storytellers will host a tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in celebration of his birthday and annual holiday. Enjoy storytelling, music, dance and fun as we remember the contributions of Dr. King. 
Coming in February: FAFSA Day! 
teen using computer at ImaginOn
 
Need financial aid for college? Mark your calendars now for FAFSA Day, Saturday, February 22, 2014. Get FREE help from financial specialists and college aid professionals to complete and submit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) electronically. Visit CFNC.org/FAFSAday or call toll free 866-866-CFNC for information or to register at a location near you. 

Affordable Care Act - Health Reform Information
With implementation of the Affordable Care Act underway, many people have questions about how the changes will impact them. Join the Library for discussions of what's in the law, how it's being implemented in NC and how you may be affected. Learn more. 
Did you know that in addition to eBooks and eAudiobooks, we also offer music and video downloads? 
Kindle Fire and iPad
With a library card, you can access a wealth of free downloads through our partners, like Freegal, a downloadable music service offering access to Sony Music's catalog of legendary artists. 

Simply visit cmlibrary.org/downloads and choose a digital download option to browse our collection of downloadable media. You can read, watch or listen on a computer, a portable music player or other mobile devices in a variety of formats. To get started, you will need your library card. (Some services require creation of additional account.)
For kids
Preschool Storytime: For Me, for You, for Later™
Preschoolers learn about financial literacy skills through making choices and decisions. Come prepared to have fun learning how people, things and money have value. This program was made possible thanks to the generous support of PNC's national Grow up Great initiative, to help prepare children from birth to age five for success in school and life.

Afternoon Adventures: Chinese New Year

Develop literacy and critical thinking skills through books and hands-on activities. This January the theme will be the Chinese New Year. For children ages 8 to 11.  

  • 1/28/2014 at 4:00 PM West Boulevard 
  • 1/29/2014 at 4:00 PM South County Regional

For teens
Want to go to college, but not sure how? Our free Operation College Launch workshops can help.

 

All workshops are designed to provide teens (and parents) with the information they need about their future beyond high school. Workshops are held at various libraries from September through April. 


January 2014 Operation College Launch Calendar

Saturday, January 11th
Princeton Review ACT Practice Exam 
Independence Regional Library, 10:30 AM to 2:30 PM, 704-416-4800
 
This full-length practice ACT is given under simulated testing conditions. Teens will learn about the endurance and skill needed to earn a strong score on the ACT. Registration required.

Saturday, January 25th
Princeton Review ACT Test Score Assessment/Strategies  
Independence Regional Library, 12:00 to 2:00 PM, 704-416-4800 
 
ACT practice exam participants of the January 11th ACT Practice Exam will get a personalized score report explaining their scores along with strengths and weaknesses in this assessment session. Registration required.
 
Monday, January 27th
Encouraging Words "College Planning" 
Beatties Ford Road Regional Library, 6:00 to 7:30 PM, 704-416-3000
 
Does the thought of planning for college overwhelm you? This presentation will guide you through the process the college search with tips on what to look for, how to find a good fit, and selecting your top three colleges.  Registration required.
 
For adults
glasses-woman-books.jpg

 

Writing Group: New Adult (for ages 18-25) 

 
Writers of all experience and skill levels are encouraged to join this group to share work, exchange ideas and feedback, and meet other local amateur writers. Meets the first Monday of each month. 
 
Microsoft Access Basics 
This class will provide a brief overview of what an Access database is and how it can be used for collecting and organizing information. Previous experience with MS Excel required. Please bring your own flash drive for saving files.
 
Sewing Patterns: Reading and Understanding for Successful Products
 
Want to learn how to read sewing patterns and catalogs? Our guest speaker will teach key terms on pattern envelopes, guide sheets and pattern pieces. This knowledge can expand your options for constructing items for personal use or business.
 
"The Thin Man" (1934) 
The year-round film series "It Happened One year: Classic Movies of 1934" continues with the original installment of the famous Thin Man series. Starring William Powell and Myrna Loy as Nick and Nora Charles, it's an elegant and compelling mystery.
 
Celebrating Victor Hugo, "Les Miserables" 
Come join us in a Page to Screen experience! This month: Victor Hugo's classic masterpiece, "Les Miserables." Watch a presentation about his life, then stay to view the acclaimed 2013 movie starring Hugh Jackman & Russell Crowe. Refreshments will be provided.
 
Volunteer Tax Assistance seeks volunteers to help expand program  

Tax season is right around silver-keyboard2.jpg  the corner, and for many individuals in our community preparing a tax return can be a daunting challenge. We are working with Community Link on expanding the Volunteer Tax Assistance (VITA) program to more of our library branches. 

 

Last year, the VITA program at Main Library accounted for $1.3 million dollars in tax returns for patrons that utilized the service, all handled by VITA volunteers. This figure exceeded what Goodwill provided throughout the community in tax assistance.   

 

This year we're planning to expand the program to Beatties Ford Road Regional, Sugar Creek and West Boulevard libraries. Doing so will benefit substantially more people, but volunteers are needed to help make this possible. If you are interested in volunteering, apply online with our partners at Community Link: http://www.communitylink-nc.org/help/volunteerapp.aspx

or call 704.943.9490 for more information. More information about specific volunteer opportunities is available here: http://www.communitylink-nc.org/help/volunteer.aspx

 

Conversations with your Foundation 

Your Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Foundation will be hosting seven events throughout the county to get to know you. These events will start in February and will be open to the public. Library and Library Foundation leadership want to give our community an opportunity to spend time learning about and giving feedback regarding the strategic direction of the Library and the importance of private funding as it relates to the direction of the Library.

 

The gatherings will serve as an opportunity to converse with your fellow Library supporters at one of your local branches. We hope you'll make plans to join one or all of these events. Visit foundation.cmlibrary.org/news for more details.

 
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