Let us know how you feel

 

Your opinion is important to us. To help the Library assess customer satisfaction and help provide critical data for Mecklenburg County's Community & Corporate Scorecard, we're inviting you to take part in a short survey.

 

The survey is brief - it should take less than 5 minutes to complete - and asks you to rate your satisfaction and awareness of the Library. Thank you for taking the time to provide valuable feedback on how we're doing.

 

 
HIGHLIGHTS
Summer Hours start June 1

Summer is almost here and as kids get ready for the end of the school year, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library will switch to Summer Hours starting June 1. The library's schedule will remain the same except for the closure of Main, ImaginOn, and the regional libraries (Beatties Ford Road, Independence, Morrison, North County, South County and University City) on Sundays. The Summer Hours schedule serves as a cost-saving measure and reflects the changing needs of library users during the summer. 

 

Most library services will continue to be available around-the-clock at www.cmlibrary.org, including online account access and catalog searching. Also available 24/7 are the Library's book drops and the automated telephone renewal line at 704.416.7363.
 
Storyvine reaches thousands

Library staff visited 37 Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools to share the power of storytelling and literacy on Thursday, May 22. Reaching some 5,000 kindergarten to second graders, staff also promoted the Library's summer reading program, which starts June 11. Storyvine began in the early 1970's as a storytelling festival in the park to great success. After taking a brief hiatus, the updated program targets elementary schools in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School (CMS) system to create an awareness of traditional storytelling as part of oral literacy and educational success. One CMS educator shared the positive results with Storyvine organizers: "This morning was wonderful! I can't walk down the hall without a student or teacher stopping me to tell me how much they enjoyed it."
 

The Library's annual Summer Reading program runs June 11 - August 9, 2014. Participants track their reading during the summer to earn prizes provided by local sponsors. We offer summer reading for all ages, and you can

pre-register now at www.cmlibrary.org/summerread.

  

We also encourage you to join us at the library for fun activities and events. In our Summer Reading Preview email we shared the highlights, but if you missed it, click here.

 

 
June Program Highlights for Adults
Lunch at the Library 
 

Join us for a monthly, lunchtime speaker series featuring local guests of notable achievement and civic influence. Bring your lunch to the Main Library for a stimulating, casual hour of conversation, hosted by Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Trustee, author and civic leader Ed Williams.

  

June 19:  David Goldfield, Ph.D.
Robert Lee Bailey Professor of History at UNC Charlotte

 

Noon to 1:00 PM, Main Library, Francis Auditorium | 704-416-0101

 

 

Meet Amy Pasquini of Our State Magazine
 

June 24 at 12:15 p.m. at Morrison Regional Library


Amy Pasquini is the Marketing Development Director for Our State Magazine and the Executive Producer of Content for the UNC-TV show Our State, recipient of ten Emmy awards. Pasquini will talk about this popular magazine as well as her love of North Carolina. She has written two books, Life Between Azalea Festivals, and White Bred, A Prodigal Jaunt Through the Suburban South. She always concludes her program by singing the "Butter Bean Song," which is sure to delight all! To honor Pasquini's love of pimento cheese, attendees will be able to participate in a tasting of this classic, southern side dish.  Register by calling: 704.416.0150 or online.
 

 

Meet Webb Hubbell, Author and Political Insider. Former U.S. Associate Attorney General Debuts Thriller, When Men Betray.
 

June 12 at 5:30 p.m. at Morrison Regional Library

 

As former mayor of Little Rock, Chief Justice of the Arkansas Supreme Court, and Associate Attorney General of the United States appointed by former President Bill Clinton, Webb Hubbell is an expert in the intricacies of the U.S. government and our criminal justice system. When Men Betray is Hubbell's first novel. Set in his hometown of Little Rock, Arkansas, this page-turner tests friendship, family, and race relations while delving deeply-indeed cynically-into the behavior of politicians, lawyers, judges, and the accused. Registration is online.

 

A recent Charlotte Observer article touched on the topic of his new book. "He knows that his book and tour will resurrect the days of Whitewater and his past problems. But he doesn't worry. 'A lot of people want to relive the past. I don't live in the past. I live in the present. I live in Charlotte writing books.' " Read more here.

 

Summer Film Series
Made in 1984: Hollywood Movies from 30 Years Ago

 

The Library's Summer Film Series, a popular mainstay since 1974, is now underway. This year, we go back to 1984, revisiting popular Hollywood films from that year. Screenings take place at ImaginOn, Saturday afternoons at 2 p.m. (see schedule for specific film dates), and admission is free. The screening of Ghostbusters on July 26th will take place after dark in the Carolina Theater Park, the little pocket park at the corner of 6th and Tryon. Each film will be introduced by Charlotte Mecklenburg Library's film expert Sam Shapiro. Learn more here. 

  • JUNE 21: BROADWAY DANNY ROSE
  • JUNE 28: TOP SECRET!
  • JULY 5: A PASSAGE TO INDIA
  • JULY 19: AMADEUS
  • JULY 26: GHOSTBUSTERS

Be sure to check out the article in Creative Loafing. Film Critic Matt Brunson has written the cover story "The Heat Is On Again: Revisiting The Sizzling Cinema of 1984". The Library's Summer Film series is included. 

 

 

More Summer Reading "Meet the Author" Events

  • Alex McKeithen will discuss his riveting memoir, 
    The Seventh Angel, and how his bipolar disorder was diagnosed and successfully treated. Held at Davidson, Main, Morrison Regional and West Boulevard branches. Learn More.
     
  • Amy Clipston is the best-selling author of the Kauffman Amish Bakery series. Held at Mint Hill and University City Regional branches. Learn More 

 

Need help understanding the new health insurance policies? 

June 27 at 3 p.m. at Main Library

 

Many of you may still have questions about the new health care insurance policy and how it impacts you. The library's partnership with local insurance policy experts continues. Click here to learn more.

 

 

June is National Audiobook Month!  

 

The summer months are also a time when many will be travelling on family vacations or taking road trips near and far.  Why not check out an audiobook to keep you entertained?  

In addition to the audiobooks on CDs and Playaways that you can check out in our Library branches, you can also download digital audiobooks from the Library's website from One Click Digital, Hoopla Digital and Overdrive. These digital audiobooks can be downloaded to your personal device, phone, or tablet.  

 

 
June Program Highlights for Teens

Teen Summer Reading Kick-off Events

Several library branches are hosting special events to celebrate the beginning of Summer Reading. Click here to find a kick-off event near you.

 

 

Don't Forget to be Awesome! John Green Fest 
Join us for a discussion on John Green books and earn prizes! We will also discuss the June movie release of "The Fault in Our Stars". June 18th at 2:00 p.m.: North County Regional    Learn More | Register Online 

 

 

Teen Summer Reading: I Can Be a DJ
Test out the turntables with local DJ Kwad-T and learn what it takes to be a DJ. This hands-on program will teach you the tips you need to get started as a DJ. Learn More

Teen Summer Reading: I Can Be a Chef
Learn what it takes to make a delicious dish from scratch while participating in our Teen Cooking Challenge. During this hands-on program, teens will learn about the challenges and rewards of a career in this field, as well as how to read a recipe and measure ingredients. Learn More

Teen Summer Reading: I Can Create 3D Objects
Heard of 3D printing? Join us to learn about this growing field and experiment with how to make 3D objects using 3Doodler printing pens. Learn More 

 
June Program Highlights for Children & Families
 

 

   
From May 24th to September 7th, visit ImaginOn and step inside beloved stories from around the globe in this hands-on exhibit that brings favorite multicultural fairy tales and folk tales to life! The exhibit is designed for children 2 to 10 years of age, and is open during ImaginOn's hours. Admission is free. 

 

 

 

Fun With Science! Special Library Events with Discovery Place

 

Many library branches are planning special programming with Discovery Place to help keep young minds excited about science during the summer months. Have fun with amazing activities that let kids explore our solar system, electricity, chemistry, magnetism and more! See a schedule of events in June.

 
A special treat!

Friends Council Pop-Up Book Sale | Sat, June 21, 2014

Birkdale Village, 16805 Birkdale Commons Pkwy, Huntersville, NC 28078 

 

Join the Library Foundation's Friends Council for a Pop-Up Book Sale on Saturday, June 21 at Birkdale Village from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Look for the Friends Council on the green near the fountain.  Proceeds from the sale support the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library.

 

For more information about the sale, including how to host a Pop-Up Book Sale at your location or how to volunteer, contact foundation@cmlibrary.org 

 

Mecklenburg County Funding Update

On May 29, County Manager Dena Diorio presented her recommended budget to the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners for fiscal year 2015, which starts July 1, 2014. That budget included increased funding to the Library for hours of operation, books and digital services. What does this mean for Charlotte Mecklenburg Library customers?

 

If the Board of County Commissioners adopts the Manager's recommended funding for libraries at their meeting on June 17, library customers could see neighborhood libraries open on Thursdays, and Main Library and ImaginOn open on Mondays, beginning after Labor Day. Customers may also notice incremental changes to the Library's digital offerings as work is done behind the scenes to create a better customer experience.  As always, please stay tuned to www.cmlibrary.org for updated information about Library hours, services and more.

 
Coming in July

 

All libraries will be closed July 4 for Independence Day. 

 

Teen Fashion Apprentice Workshops Begin in July

Teens and parents of teens, this summer we have an amazing (and FREE!) opportunity for young people to explore careers within the fashion photography industry. It's our 2014 Teen Fashion Apprentice program series! Workshops begin in July.

 

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