The community comes together for Community Read
March 18, 2019
As we head into week 3, we’re happily overwhelmed by the number of people reading, sharing and discussing the books for Community Read 2019 and we hope even more people will join in. This year, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg community has come out in full force for Community Read. If you’re just getting into Community Read 2019, though, don’t worry! There are still plenty of great programs and events lined up both through the Library and our community partners (see below for more information.) Don’t forget to pledge and we’ll see you at an event this week! Please share your experiences on social media, using the hashtag - #CommunityRead2019
So, what’s been happening during the first two weeks? There have been powerful discussions and events. During week 2, community helpers made a difference by sharing their time with the community they serve. At locations like Scaleybark Library and Independence Regional Library, police officers, firefighters and librarians shared stories, songs and other fun activities while engaging with families in the community.
Community partners also addressed issues of concerns within the Charlotte community. A program at Johnson C. Smith University packed the James B. Duke Memorial Library with residents and youths as trial attorney, Civil Rights Activist and community organizer Toussaint C. Romain delivered a passionate and honest discussion on The Hate U Give. Director of Library Services and Curation Monika Rhue said, “The program was very successful. It was good to have the community in collaboration with JCSU’s students, faculty and staff engage in this conversation.”
Another community partner, Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture, organized events around wellness to celebrate Community Read. Visiting author Damaris Hill and additional Charlotte organizations scheduled a day focused on using arts and literature to align the mind and body as important issues within the community were addressed. Teens and adults from the Charlotte-area shared personal experience while participated in writing and storytelling workshops and yoga.
Open Books. Open Minds.
It is not too late! There’s still time to get involved and do more in your community. Pledge online to participate, read the books and create a stronger community. Attend author visits happening around Charlotte to be inspired. Audiobooks and e-books of The Hate U Give are still available for no-wait downloads during the entire month of March.
Here is a list of just some of the events going on around Charlotte during week 3 of Community Read 2019:
Adults and Teens: The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
Community Read: The Hate U Give Community Dialogue Event
Thursday, March 21, 2019 – 5:30 p.m. at Plaza Midwood Library
Join in a community dialogue event facilitated by the Library, in partnership with Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department, and discuss the situations Starr and Khalil faced in the novel as well as related current events. Recommended for adults and teens ages 15+. Space is limited. Registration required. Learn more
Community Read: From Page to Screen: The Hate U Give
Saturday, March 23, 2019 – 2 p.m. at Morrison Regional Teen Area
Whether you already love the book or want to watch the movie before reading it, join us for the film adaptation of The Hate U Give. See the story brought to life! This movie is rated PG-13. Learn more
Spoken Word Poetry Workshop
Saturday, March 23, 2019 – 2:30 p.m. at Main Library, Dowd Foundation Learning Studio
Join Spoken Word poetry coach Jah Smalls to find your voice, both in writing, editing and performing your poetry. This workshop is open to teens and adults, no experience is necessary. Attendance at both sessions is recommended. Participants will have an opportunity to perform at the Poetry Month Kickoff event on April 6th. Learn more
Community Read: College and Career Connections: Newscaster Fred Shropshire
Saturday, March 23, 2019 – 3 p.m. at Hickory Grove Library
Teens, meet Fred Shropshire, news anchor for Channel 36, Charlotte. Learn about his career in broadcasting. We will discuss media bias and common stereotypes of minorities in the media, as well as ways to strengthen community. Learn more
Middle Grades: Wishtree by Katherine Applegate
Community Read: Drop-in Wishtree Activity
Monday, March 18, 2019 – All day and every day at Morrison Regional
Come write a wish to put on our wish tree! We will collect all the wishes to create an art piece at the end of March. Learn more
Community Read-Wishtree Tree Identification
Monday, March 18, 2019 – All day and every day at Myers Park Library
Drop in and participate in our special tree identification activity inspired by the children's fiction book Wishtree by Katherine Applegate. Pick up a tree identification sheet, see how many trees you can identify on our library's grounds, show the sheet to a staff member and take home a sapling (baby tree) to plant! (Trees available while supply lasts). Learn more
Story Explorers: Wishtree
Monday, March 18, 2019 – 4:30 p.m. at West Boulevard
Explore books and stories in creative ways and get your own tree seedling to plant! This March the theme will be Wishtree. Learn more
Community Read: Wishtree: Forestry, Homeschool Rocks!
Tuesday, March 19, 2019 – 1 p.m. at University City Regional, Storytime Room Homeschool students are invited to join us as we learn about forestry, ecology and trees in North Carolina. Enjoy a special guest appearance by Smokey Bear. This program is in celebration of Community Read selection Wishtree by Katherine Applegate. Learn more
Community Read: LEGO Program Wishtree Edition
Tuesday, March 19, 2019 – 4 p.m. at Plaza Midwood Library
This week at Lego Club we will be celebrating nature and community as we talk about the book Wishtree by Katherine Applegate. We will learn about trees and their importance in our community and build nature scenes with our LEGOs. Learn more
Community Read Wishtree: Rookie Science Jr - Forestry
Wednesday, March 20, 2019 – 4 p.m. at Morrison Regional Library, Children's Programming Room
Discover the world of science through books, hands-on educational activities, and experiments. This month, we talk about the Community Read book Wishtree and learn about the forest from the NC Forest Service. This program is for ages 4-6 and registration is required. Learn more
Community Read Wishtree: Rookie Science - Forestry
Thursday, March 21, 2019 – 4 p.m. at Morrison Regional Library, Children's Programming Room
Discover the world of science through books, hands-on educational activities, and experiments. This month, we talk about the Community Read book Wishtree and learn about the forest from the NC Forest Service. This program is for ages 7-11 and registration is required. Learn more
Community Read Book Club: Wishtree
Thursday, March 21, 2019 – 4:30 p.m. at Cornelius Library
Join us as we read Wishtree by Katherine Applegate. New members welcome! Learn more
Community Read Story Explorers: The Five Languages of Love
Saturday, March 23, 2019 – 12:30 p.m. at ImaginOn: The Joe & Joan Martin Center
Explore books and stories in creative ways through interactive activities including math, science, games, and more! Two of our Community Read titles this month deal with the issues of love and acceptance: Love by Matt de la Pena and Wishtree by Katherine Applegate. In this special program, we will learn about the five different ways that people express and receive love (inspired by a study by Dr. Gary Chapman), discuss both titles, make a love-themed literacy activity to take home with you, and contribute to a temporary ImaginOn wish tree. Learn more
Children: Love by Matt de la Peña
Community Read: The Love Scavenger Hunt
Monday, March 18, 2019 – All day and every day at Myers Park
Drop in and participate in our special literacy scavenger hunt activity inspired the children's picture book Love by Matt de la Peña. Complete this activity and receive a prize! Learn more
Community Read: Community Helper Storytime
Thursday, March 21, 2019 – 10:30 a.m. at Beatties Ford Road Regional Library
Bring your family out to join us as we read Love by Matt de la Peña and other stories with your favorite community helpers. Enjoy stories, songs, with police officers, firefighters, and more! For ages 0 - 5. Learn more
Community Read Family Storytime: Love
Saturday, March 23, 2019 – 11:30 a.m. at University City Regional Library
Bring the family and join us as we read Love by Matt de la Peña. We will also have songs, rhymes, and movement activities featuring love in all its different forms. Learn more
In the spirit of Community Read, keep reading the books, keep participating in events and keep doing more to improve lives in your community.