Library Branch Channel Leader and Interim Director of Libraries, Dana Eure, made a guest appearance on WCNC's Charlotte Today on Thursday, February 13, 2020 and shared six titles on the theme “Romance is in the air.” 

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Adult fiction

Intercepted by Alexa Martin

Marlee thought she scored the man of her dreams only to be scorched by a bad breakup. But there's a new player on the horizon, and he's in a league of his own... Marlee Harper is the perfect girlfriend. She's definitely had enough practice by dating her NFL-star boyfriend for the last ten years. But when she discovers he has been tackling other women on the sly, she vows to never date an athlete again. There's just one problem: Gavin Pope, the new hotshot quarterback and a fling from the past, has Marlee in his sights. Gavin fights to show Marlee he's nothing like her ex. Unfortunately, not everyone is ready to let her escape her past. The team's wives, who never led the welcome wagon, are not happy with Marlee's return. They have only one thing on their minds: taking her down. But when the gossip makes Marlee public enemy number one, she worries about more than just her reputation. Between their own fumbles and the wicked wives, it will take a Hail Mary for Marlee and Gavin's relationship to survive the season.
 

Tempest by Beverly Jenkins

Dr. Colton Lee, a physician in the Wyoming Territory, discovers that his mail-order bride is not only a competent and independent frontierswoman, but a good shot as well.
 

Adult nonfiction

The More or Less Definitive Guide to Self-Care by Anna Borges

An A to Z, mental health-centric handbook that distills the "self-care internet" to four distinctive realms of self-care: physical, mental, social, and spiritual.
 

Young Adult fiction

Frankly in Love by David Yoon

High school senior Frank Li takes a risk to go after a girl his parents would never approve of, but his plans will leave him wondering if he ever really understood love--or himself--at all"—
 

Youth fiction

I am Love: A Book of Compassion by Susan Verde

Explores many aspects of love that can help one weather any storm, including that love is comfort, effort, connection, and taking care of oneself.
 

Love and the Rocking Chair by Leo Dillon

Before the baby arrives, a couple orders a rocking chair, and as the family grows and changes, the rocking chair is always there, a center of love and continuity.

“Would you like to live in the United States?” my fiancé asked me over the phone. I knew he had a job interview that morning and I didn't want to wait until our lunch date to hear how it had gone. But I was not expecting that question.

“Can they wait until after the wedding?” I inquired. 

Our wedding was less than 3 months away so, in my defense, it was the biggest thing on my mind at the time. We had already started renting the place we would eventually move into! But at that point, the question felt more like a dare than a life question. I’ve always loved a good challenge and traveling so I thought, why not?

In retrospect, when you face a question like that, it is easy to get carried away imagining all the opportunities you will get and skimp over the things that you will miss: your family, your job--not just your job, but being able to work and having people to talk to. Things that truly matter to you. 

I thought about that a lot my first November in the U.S., when the holiday blues took over me. As usual, it was my mom who presented a solution. “Is there a library over there? Maybe there’s a book club or something you could join,” she suggested. I looked into it and took it as a sign when I saw the one book I brought with me to the States was the next one that Main Library’s Book Club would discuss the following week. Again, I asked myself, “Why not?”

The day of the book club meeting, I jumped onto a bus and found myself surrounded by cheerful, welcoming people a few hours later. They were passionately sharing their thoughts about the book we’d been reading. This was what I’d been missing.

Over the next 18 months, I travelled around the States with my husband and his job. I collected eight different library cards along the way. I read everything I wanted that I initially thought I didn’t have time for. I read to learn which values are closest to this country’s heart. I read to have access to the stories of people I hadn’t yet encountered. I fell in love with the library and, to this day, it remains, in my opinion, one of the best things about America.

Eventually, we returned permanently to Charlotte. When it was time to find an apartment, we decided on one that had a Library within walking distance. I was able to join a new book club and return to my original book club as well.

Making friends as an adult isn’t easy, but I encourage anyone who is looking to try a library book club. There’s something about discussing the inner lives of fictional characters that brings out the truest of ourselves, and that’s when we really connect. What I learned about America while reading by myself I could now test. I could ask questions out loud and laugh about things with people that weren’t judgmental—as I was afraid they might be—but eager to teach me and welcome my “outsider” perspective. 

I began building confidence. It took some months, but I eventually received my employment authorization. I started applying for jobs, then applying arnica gel on my ego every time I didn’t get a callback. "It’s tricky when nobody recognizes the name of your college," I told myself. “Stop feeling sorry for yourself,” my mom told me. “If getting out of the house is what you need, then volunteer,” she added. So, I did.

I started volunteering in a Tech-Tutor position at the Sugar Creek Library branch. While I wasn’t making money from volunteering, I can’t describe what feeling useful outside the house again did for my emotional and mental wellbeing. I didn’t last long volunteering, though. Shortly after that, I finally received a call offering me a staff position with the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library. 

In a way, it’s come full-circle and, today, I get to give back a little of the plenty I’ve received from the Library. My favorite thing about working for the Library is, after helping people find the information they need, giving them a hand navigating a job or college application website, or connecting newcomers with an English conversation club where they can practice a new language without feeling ashamed of their accent, is telling them, “Yes, this is your Library. Come and make the best use of it -- it’s free and we’re here for you.”

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This blog was written by and posted with permission by Alex Ibarra, library services specialist, of Charlotte Mecklenburg Library's Mountain Island branch.​

Updated: February 15, 2021

Love can be a many-splendored thing. It can bring joy, instill hope and unify communities.

That’s what we love most about love at Charlotte Mecklenburg Library. What moves us most is the impact Library staff and customers feel from coexisting and sharing experiences in our branches  and through our events and programs across Mecklenburg County.

During Library Lovers Month 2020, we sent an all-call, asking customers, community members, supporters and staff to share their most meaningful Library Love Stories. We hope that the responses below provide a deeper understanding of the significance of libraries in the communities the serve - especially in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Now, on to the love…:

Every little thing is going to be okay

“I recognized a customer who had not been in for a long time and spoke with her. She had a large suitcase and said she had been traveling and was just getting back to Charlotte. I said, ‘Welcome back. It's good to see you.’ I didn't think any more about it until she came to my writing group about a month later and shared with the group the story of coming into the Library and meeting me. She shared that returning to Charlotte with no job, no place to live and seeing my smile, she knew everything was going to be okay. She was crying. I was crying. It was a reminder to be kind and speak to everyone. You don't know how badly that kindness may be needed.” – Pam, from Main Library
 

Strawn Towers

“Our love story began at Strawn Towers with Amrita. She provides the best educational information on all kinds of topics. The seniors at my site love when she comes because they look forward to the information she will provide. She is filled with so much happiness, love, and compassion towards the seniors. They really enjoyed when she took them to the Levine Museum of the New South. Most importantly, it was their favorite Thursday with her. Thank you, Amrita, from Strawn Towers, for your dedication and the love you have shown us.” – Mariquetta, for Outreach Services at Main Library
 

A familiar feeling

“I moved to Charlotte from Northern Virginia two and a half years ago and one of the things I made a mission to do was find a library so that I could feed my habit of nightly reads. I researched and visited the neighborhood library at Mountain Island and that first visit felt so good because, as soon as I walked through the door, I was greeted by a young lady at the desk who helped me get a Library card. I then got help with the catalog search which made me feel really welcomed. It was similar to the system I'm used to. There's that comfort and, like magic, I was set to start reading in my new home and this beautiful Library. I currently use the online library catalog. My dog and I listen to books every day and night. This is very relaxing for him and puts him to sleep every time. I wouldn't change a thing!” – Gladys, for Mountain Island Library
 

New Library smell

“We LOVE the new South Boulevard Library! It is much bigger and nicely sectioned, but, most of all, we LOVE all the people that work there. They are always so helpful and friendly! We plan to continue using the new Library for many more (of our older) years!” – Ursula, for South Boulevard Library
 

Willing to relocate

“I have been visiting the Library for over 40 years. My mom introduced me to libraries and a love of reading. One day, we visited a different branch. I always went to the same one, so I asked her why she visited different locations. She replied, ‘They have different selections.’ So, that's when I started to visit different branches, too. I've visited six! However, when I entered the Matthews Library branch, I fell in love -- this was it for me. Matthews is warm, inviting, cozy and they have an outstanding collection. I've never seen so many cookbooks and the staff are warm, friendly and very helpful. This location is not the closest branch to my home, but I visit Matthews twice a week. It's worth the drive and this branch is the reason why I want to buy a home in Matthews. I want to live near the place I love -- the Library.” –Angela, for Matthews Library
 

Lifelong Learning

“The outreach services offered by the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library help keep our senior housing residents engaged through the literacy and lifelong learning programs. They look forward to participating and sharing in new adventures monthly.” – April, for Outreach Services at Main Library
 

Write Like You Mean It

“Write Like You Mean It, a writing group at Main library has been a blessing for me. I joined as a writer and now I am an active Library volunteer. I volunteer with Pam Turner, who leads this group. It’s fulfilling that many of my ideas are used as prompts in this group. I have also been able to successfully bring many published authors as guest speakers to my writing group. One of my goals as a writer is to be able to bridge resources and talent. I have been able to do that through my volunteering experience. I love what I do as a writer and as a Library volunteer because it has given me an opportunity to grow as a writer and to build a strong and supportive writing community.” – Surabhi, for Pam and Volunteer Services at Main Library
 

Library fever

“My two sons, now 31 and 27 grew up with a love of books by going to the, then new, Morrison Library. We would get so, so many books at one time--picture books, then as time went on, easy readers, chapter books, etc. We would laugh and joke the that we had 'Library fever,' getting so many books each trip. The boys also participated in the summer reading program and often were the first kids to complete their paper charts, as it was done back then. They still are voracious readers. Thanks, Morrison Library!” – Bridgett, for Morrison Regional Library

Always a new adventure

“We love our Matthews Library and the fantastic librarians who nurture a love of reading in our community. My little one enjoys his visits and learning new stories and adventures in the library.” –Megan, for Matthews Library
 

One for all and all for one

“There is no place on Earth like a library. Books, galore, friendly and helpful staff, children.... What’s not to love? I LOVE books and reading. What a great place to go to get one or ten books at a time! The thing that gives me the most hope is found at the Library. There are young mothers with children in tow who check out 20 books at a time. That is what I did with my children when they were little too. I love to see the tradition continue and that gives me hope for our future. Kudos to public libraries! They are all different, but all the same. Books, book sales, friendly staff, computers, audiobooks, computers, help if needed...what a great place! Thanks to all who work there.”— Merrilou, for Steele Creek and all public libraries
 

Heaven on Earth

"As a stay a home wife (not willingly, but still!) of an IT employee, I’ve felt home in the Morrison Regional Library for the past two years. I used to gaze at all the shelves for the entire afternoon and pick just one single book at the end. Maybe God knew my love for books and placed a library right in my neighborhood! Believe it or not, the Library has books for all my moods. I just can't imagine what I would have done without this Library. Surely it is my Heaven on Earth!” – With lots of love, Keerthana, for Morrison Regional Library
 

Longtime love

“Fairly new to Charlotte about 30 years ago, I was looking for a library and found the ‘old’ Mountain Island branch. It was love at first sight and the librarians became my new friends. I looked around the area to buy a home close to the Library. My relationship to this Library has outlasted my marriage. That’s love! Now, I’m a Reading Buddy, helping the next generation love reading and their library as much as I do.” – Rose, for Mountain Island Library

Want to join in in the joy? We collect

 Library Love Stories all year long. Share your Library Love Story with us.

It’s now easier to manage your holds on OverDrive/Libby.

Are you someone whose digital holds come in all at once and you can’t possibly read them all before they expire? It happens more often than you think – and up until now there wasn’t a way to manage your holds without losing your place in line and missing out on a great story. Now we have great news for you.

Through the years, OverDrive/Libby customers have asked for more flexibility in managing holds. OverDrive/Libby is introducing a new feature to help manage your digital items more efficiently. This new feature is called “Hold Redelivery” and it replaces auto-checkout.

What is Hold Redelivery?

Hold redelivery allows you to suspend a hold even after it’s made available to you, while maintaining your place on the wait list. By enabling you to pass books you don’t have time to read on to the next person in line, hold redelivery helps connect more readers to the right book, at the right time.

How does Hold Redelivery work?

If you use the Libby app, notifications will alert you when your holds become available. If you use OverDrive, there will be a new “Notifications” section on the OverDrive website.  After receiving notification that a hold is available, you can:

1. Borrow the title within 3 (three) days.
2. Suspend the hold by selecting “deliver later” and pass the book to the next person in line.  This will maintain your place on the wait list.  After the suspension period (set by you) ends, the hold will be redelivered to you when the next copy is available.
3. Cancel the hold.

If you take no action, your hold will automatically be suspended one time for 7 (seven) days. If no action is taken a second time, the hold will be cancelled automatically.

Remember: auto-checkout is no longer available, so you’ll need to go into your account to check out your materials (they will no longer automatically be checked out).

Watch this video to see how to adjust your holds.

What are some expected benefits of hold redelivery?

• You will be empowered to borrow books when you’re ready, not a week or more before you can start reading.
• Wait lists will move more efficiently as customers pass books they aren’t ready for to the next person in line.
• The next customer in line will be delighted when the customer ahead says, “not now.”

Read more FAQs about holds on Libby Help (for Libby) or on OverDrive Help (for the OverDrive website).

Suspending a Hold

Did you know you can suspend a hold at any time?  Suspending a hold lets you continue moving up on a title’s wait list without the title becoming available for you. If you reach #1 on the wait list, you’ll be in the first position to get the book once your suspended hold period ends.

For example, you might want to suspend a hold for a popular e-book if you're on a long wait list for it, but know you'll be unable to read it because you're in the middle of another title.

Use the steps below to suspend a hold.

OverDrive website

1.  In your library's digital collection, click or tap the books icon, then select Holds. You'll need to be signed into your library account to get to this page.
2. Select Suspend hold beneath the hold you’d like to suspend.

1. Choose the number of days you’d like to suspend your hold, then select Suspend.

4. Once you suspend a hold, you’ll see a “Suspended until” notification next to the hold.

5. You can change or remove your suspension by selecting Edit hold.

Libby app

1. Go to Shelf > Holds > Actions > Suspend All Holds.
2. Use the slider to choose how long you'd like to suspend your holds.
   
   Tip: When you drag the slider to the right edge, tap the underlined 180 days for more options.
3. Tap Update Holds.

To suspend a single hold:

1. Go to Shelf > Holds.
2. Tap Manage Hold, then Suspend Hold.
3. Use the slider to choose how long you'd like to suspend your hold.
   
   Tip: When you drag the slider to the right edge, tap the underlined 180 days for more options.
4. Tap Update Hold.

Looking for a romance novel with a bit of suspense? That’s easy. The Charlotte Mecklenburg Library has books that fit the bill in our Library catalog. Type in "romantic suspense" as a search in the Library catalog and nearly 3,500 matches will appear!

Don’t be fooled by the occasional book cover with someone brandishing a handgun because you’re in the right place. These books are more than traditional romance novels with couples dealing with domestic hardships and bliss.   

Romantic suspense is fiction, defined by the Romance Writers of America, where “…suspense, mystery, or thriller elements constitute an integral part of the plot.” With a love stories as the basis, these novels may feature many additional themes. The most prolific authors in the genre include authors such as Heather Graham, Kat Martin, Nora Roberts and B.J. Daniels.

For all fans, the famous Harlequin brand of romance books steps into this genre too with its Harlequin Romantic Suspense series. The Library owns more than 100 titles from this brand, mostly e-books. Library customers can find titles available in multiple formats to enjoy, but e-books are most prominent.

Find a title to read from our list of New Romantic Suspense Fiction here.

If you're hungry for poetry, bring your appetite to Charlotte Mecklenburg Library's Main  Library for 12:15 at Main: Poetry Exploration on Wednesday, March 4, 2020. This meetup is the first in a series of monthly to bi-monthly meetings where poets of all levels can  create or recite poetry at lunchtime. Listening ears are welcome to participate as well.

 

The 12:15 at Main program will run until Main Library closes its doors for renovation in early 2021. Meetings, held the first and third Wednesday of each month, will vary in topics topics based on presenters. Attendees will also enjoy short video screenings and new discussion prompts.

The goal of the program is to build an anthology for continuing attendees so that they have a variety of personal work that spans different topics and styles. 12:15 at Main: Poetry Exploration is a program for everyone and there is no skill requirement.

Patrons who know little about poetry will have the opportunity to learn new styles and writing mechanisms along the way. To see the complete schedule of 12:15 at Main: Poetry Exploration, click here.

For more information about 12:15 at Main: Poetry Exploration, please contact  Rob Smith at [email protected].

Written by: Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Historian-in-Residence, Dr. Tom Hanchett.

For decades in Charlotte, Attorney J. Charles Jones was a buoyant, familiar community presence on the city’s mostly African American west side. History-seekers and city leaders often invited him to speak about his role in Charlotte’s 1960 sit-ins. He advocated enthusiastically for civic projects and strove to help neighbors join together for change. His cheery greeting, “Gracious good day!” was usually followed by reference to The Elders, the previous generations who had gotten us here and demanded that we keep moving forward. He wanted you to know the Civil Rights history that his generation had made — so that you would pick up the torch, in turn, and make history yourself.

Charles Jones’ role in the Civil Rights movement ran deeper and reached even further than his listeners often realized. Not only did he co-lead Charlotte’s successful 1960s sit-ins, the largest such action in the early days of that student movement, he went on to:

• Take part in the meetings in 1960s that created the nationally important Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee
• Do jail-time in Rock Hill, South Carolina, on SNCC’s behalf in 1961 – a “jail, no bail” protest that foreshadowed Rev. Martin Luther King’s later stay in the Birmingham jail.
• Join the 1961 Freedom Ride in Mississippi and again go to prison at the legendarily harsh Parchman Farm Penitentiary
• Take part in tumultuous SNCC campaigns for voting rights in McComb, Mississippi (1961) and Albany, Georgia (1961 – 62) – where he helped launch the SNCC Freedom Singers with Bernice Johnson Reagon and others.
• Initiate a high-profile 1966 march around Washington DC’s beltway that is credited with opening housing to all in the DC area.

In the late 1960s he returned to Charlotte, earned a law degree and began a career as Attorney J. Charles Jones, spending half a century representing mostly poor, mostly African American clients.

When Jones passed away at the end of 2019, the national media took notice. This essay pulls together those sources along with other essays and research materials that give a sense of his work and his personality. It starts with the funeral program distributed to mourners at the Chapel on the campus of Johnson C. Smith University on January 4, 2020. Then come links to obituaries and profiles in national and local news media. Finally, there are links to oral histories and photo collections in Charlotte and elsewhere. This list is by no means complete, but rather a starting point for those interested in Jones and his legacy.

Neil Genzlinger, “J. Charles Jones, Civil Rights Activist, Is Dead at 82,” New York Times, January 10, 2020.



Matt Schudel, “J. Charles Jones, Civil Rights Activist Who Led Protest Walk Around Beltway, Dies at 82,” Washington Post, January 18, 2020.

“Life Well-Lived: J. Charles Jones -- American Civil Rights Leader Dies at 82,” NBC Today Show, January 19, 2020.  

“Johnson C. Smith University Remembers J. Charles Jones,” Happenings page, JCSU website.  

“Interview with J. Charles Jones,” interviewer Kara Miles, June 16, 1993, Duke University Libraries. 

“Interview with J. Charles Jones,” interviewer Debbie Howard, May 18, 2005, Special Collections, J. Murrey Atkins Library, UNC Charlotte.

“Oral Histories with J. Charles Jones and Charles Sherrod,” June 23, 2005, Miami University of Ohio.  

Corey Inscoe, “Meet the Man Who Led Charlotte’s Lunch-Counter Sit-Ins and Went to Jail with Martin Luther King, Jr.,” Charlotte Observer, February 07, 2017.

David Aaron Moore, “Stumbling Across a Hero,” Charlotte Magazine, January 2, 2011. 

Frye Gaillard, “Days of Hope and Courage: Reunion Will Celebrate Local Civil Rights Sit-Ins,” Creative Loafing, January 29, 2003. 

A video interview with Jones about the Charlotte Sit-ins is part of the permanent exhibition Cotton Fields to Skyscrapers at Levine Museum of the New South in Charlotte.

The Robinson-Spangler Carolina Room of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library holds photographs and other materials related to Jones. This Facebook post from February 9, 2020, gives a glimpse.

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The main photo on this blog is by Diedra Laird/The Charlotte Observer (2016).

The only thing that separates Southwest Middle School and Steele Creek Library is a narrow grass median. Though the two are near in proximity, they have never been relationally close. Inspired to change that dynamic and build a closer relationship with students at Southwest Middle, Steele Creek Librarian Sarah Story began attending open houses at Southwest Middle to make the Library more visible to students and parents. 

In August, Steele Creek and Outreach staff teamed up to attend three open houses at Southwest Middle where they were able to connect with students stopping by to pick up their schedules and meet their teachers.  

“This was a great way to increase Library visibility in the school community, advertise Teen programs and meet parents who we don’t often see during the school year,” Story said. 



In December 2019, another Librarian, Kara Hunter,joined Story on outreach visits to Southwest Middle’s sixth grade classes. 



“Kara and I visited almost every 6th grade class to show them online resources that they could use for upcoming research projects,” Story said. “In total, we visited 11 classes, 210 students and 13 teachers,” she added. 

Their visit resulted in students excitedly running up to Story when they noticed her in the Library just a few days later. They told her about the resources they remembered, how they used CultureGrams that day for a class assignment and introduced a new group of students to staff and what the Library has to offer. 

Story was also inspired to create positive change at Southwest Middle where she’d heard stories of vandalism, fights and noise occurring on campus. Story decided to create bi-weekly afterschool Teen programs where students could safely play board games, participate in cooking challenges, take Library tours, enjoy Lunch and Learn topics and more. Eventually, behavioral incidents at the school declined, prompting the school to get involved with the planning of afterschool programs. 

“We needed more involvement from the school, and I wanted it to be a positive relationship, not just passing on disciplinary requests,” Story said. “So, I started sending emails trying to get to know school staff and offering outreach ideas,” she added. 



Story believes anyone can be a hero and help teens through creative programming. She is especially grateful of the support from the Steele Creek staff and is excited about the positive progress they have made with Southwest Middle. 



 “Everyone has their own unique ways to Be A Hero (a Library culture principle) for these kids, whether it’s implementing new program ideas, helping them find a book or offering them a smile after a long day at school,” Story said. “Our relationship with Southwest Middle is still growing and evolving, requiring consistent and frequent communication with administration and teachers about ways we can support each other. It will probably always be a work in progress and creative and innovative approaches are the best way to move forward and continually improve.”