Sit and stay awhile: Library re-opens seating and the Robinson-Spangler Carolina Room June 1, 2021
May 20, 2021
NOTE: This blog was updated Friday, September 24, 2021 to include updates to branch hours of operations.
Find a book, have a seat and enjoy your time at the Library. Beginning Tuesday, June 1, 2021, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library customers can do just that at their local Library location. Just two weeks after re-opening material/book returns to cheers and applause from the public, the Library will further expand services and move to Level 3 of its multilevel re-opening plan
New services
Level 3 services include customer access to limited seating, expanded computer time for adults and children (by in-person appointment at designated branches), self-serve copier/scanner services and appointment-only access to the Robinson-Spangler Carolina Room. Teen customers can also return to the Teen Loft at ImaginOn located at 300 E 7th Street, Charlotte, NC 28202.
Note: Occupancy limits are in effect at all Library locations. Limits vary by branch. Please contact your local Library location directly for capacity information. Click here to find a branch.
Additionally, the Library is thrilled to re-open the Robinson-Spangler Carolina Room, a popular and critical community resource, which closed to in-person visitors in March 2020. Located in Main Library, the Carolina Room houses historical and current information on Charlotte, Mecklenburg County and North Carolina. It also contains genealogical resources from all 50 states in print and online. To date, the Carolina Room is the largest collection of family history materials in a North Carolina public library.
Customers are permitted to book a maximum two, sixty-minute appointments per day in the Carolina Room. To read safety rules, policies and find directions for making an appointment, click here and select “Schedule Appointment” on the same page. For those who aren’t ready to return to the Carolina Room at this time, staff continue to provide virtual reference services including the limited copying of books and other materials (magazines, microfilm, maps, etc.) Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
For virtual assistance, customers can email [email protected] or call (704) 416-0150 during normal operating hours.
Continued services
Customers may continue to pick up holds, enjoy in-person browsing of books and materials, and can return materials to material/book drops during or outside of branch hours of operations. Note: Material/book returns are closed during closures for holidays, renovations, inclement weather, etc. Returns will be closed on the evening of the last business day before a holiday.
Access to digital resources and participation in the Library’s many programs, events, services and more for children, teens, adults, Outreach and the Job Help Center remain available in online and virtual formats.
To find information about the Library’s exciting programs and events, please visit the Library calendar here.
Branch requirements (Updated August 21, 2021)
Face coverings are REQUIRED in Library branches. Beginning Tuesday, August 17, 2021, in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines, face coverings must be appropriately worn by Library visitors, regardless of COVID-19 vaccination status. We serve everyone in our community, even the most vulnerable populations, and consideration for the safety of all is imperative.
Face coverings do not need to be worn by someone who:
- Should not wear a face covering due to any medical or behavioral condition or disability (including, but not limited to, any person who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious or incapacitated, or is otherwise unable to put on or remove the Face Covering without assistance);
- Is actively eating or drinking;
- Is seeking to communicate with someone who is hearing-impaired in a way that requires the mouth to be visible;
- Is giving a speech or performance for a broadcast, or to an audience, where they maintain a distance of at least 20 feet from the audience (the audience is still required to wear a face covering if indoors);
- Is temporarily removing their face coverings at work, as determined by local, state, or federal regulations or workplace safety guidelines;
- Has found their face covering is impeding visibility to operate equipment or a vehicle.
- Under 5 years of age.
- Medical exemptions apply; those with medical exemptions can wear a face shield if they choose.
- Face shields alone (without a face covering/mask) are not acceptable. Customers can wear a face shield if they are also wearing an appropriately positioned face covering/mask.
Anyone who declines to wear a face covering for any of these exemptions will not be required to produce documentation or any other proof of a condition. Everyone is asked to tell the truth – and if they are healthy and able to wear a face covering – to wear a face covering so that they do not put other people at risk of serious illness and death.
The Library continues to incorporate in-person services in a responsible way that focuses on safety. Follow us on social media or visit the Library’s blog at cmlibrary.org/blog for updated information on the continued re-opening of services.
The Library will continue to open under these operational hours:
Monday-Thursday - 9 a.m.-8 p.m.
Friday and Saturday - 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Sunday - closed at select branches (After the Labor Day holiday on September 6, 2021, all regional Library locations will be open on Sundays from 12-5 p.m. This includes the following locations: Allegra Westbrooks Regional - Beatties Ford Road, ImaginOn, Independence Regional, Main Library, North County Regional, South County Regional, SouthPark Regional and University City Regional.)
Here’s what’s available during Level 3 services*:
- Managed maximum number of customers in a branch at a time
- Use of social distancing safety markers
- Ability to browse for materials
- Option to use computers for expanded times (through in-branch reservation only) at branch locations EXCEPT Cornelius, Davidson and ImaginOn Libraries
- Streamlined self-checkout designed for quick in-and-out and safe, socially-distanced interactions.
- Mobile printing is available for pickup from the branch. Learn more here.
- Wi-Fi access is available outside the facility 24/7
- Free mobile hotspots are available for customers to place on hold for checkout for seven (7) days at a time
- Materials and holds available for pickup inside the branches.
- All checkouts are self-checkouts. You can scan your card (physical or on the app) and the materials. You will not need to enter your pin.
- All material/book drops are open
- Programming continues online
- Seating is available
- Self-serve print/copier/scan services available. Fax capability is available as some branches. Please contact your branch directly.
*Services subject to change
Community and study rooms – Room reservations are unavailable until further notice.
Outreach programming – Continues online or virtual, as coordinated between our Outreach team and the organization.
Programming and events – All programs and events for children, teens, adults and the Job Help Center remain online in virtual formats. Check here for the weekly schedule or visit the Calendar page on our website.
We’re here for you online or on the phone.
You can reach our online chat during regular operating hours at cmlibrary.org and click on Ask a Librarian. Our telephone reference team is also available during normal operating hours at (704) 416-0101, or you can contact your local branch location directly - visit the Branches page for more information.