Each summer, the Library is excited to welcome community teens into our branches to participate in our Summer VolunTeen program. The VolunTeen program is designed to expose young people to a wealth of vital experiences and help teens gain service hours during the summer. VolunTeens build workforce development and leadership skills while volunteering at the Library.

We’d like to take a moment to tell our 2019 VolunTeens, “Thank you and great job!”

Our VolunTeen initiative is now year-round, which means that teens ages 13 to 17 can now earn community service hours by becoming a VolunTeen up to three times a year! Charlotte Mecklenburg Library is looking for responsible teens who enjoy working with the public, helping others and giving back to their community.

Applications are only accepted three times a year. In January for the Spring term, in April for the Summer term and in August for the Fall term. During application months, please apply on the Volunteer page. Click on “Become a Volunteer” and search for Teen Volunteer 2019 opportunities. Applications will be accepted throughout the month as designated or until a branch has reached capacity.

Celebrate Library Week at Carowinds!

In addition to offering free Carowinds tickets to eligible Summer Break participants, Carowinds also offers Library customers the opportunity to purchase discounted tickets and use them during Carowinds Library Week. This year Carowinds Library Week runs July 22-28, and the discounted ticket price is $39 per person, which includes parking. Purchase discounted tickets to be used during Library Week and help us celebrate Summer Break at Carowinds!

Click here to access the portal

User name: CM

Password: LIBRARY 

These are case sensitive.

Additional discounts may also be available through this portal throughout the summer.\

Comments? Questions?

Are you having problems with the Summer Break website or your account? Do you have questions about the program? Feel free to stop by your local library for assistance, call 704-416-0101 or email [email protected].

Library Branch Channel Leader and Interim Director of Libraries, Dana Eure, made a guest appearance on WCNC's Charlotte Today on Thursday, July 11, 2019 and shared six titles for travel and adventure. 

click here to search titles

Adult fiction

The High Mountains of Portugal by Yann Martel

In Lisbon in 1904, a young man named Tomás discovers an old journal. It hints at the existence of an extraordinary artifact that--if he can find it--would redefine history. Traveling in one of Europe's earliest automobiles, he sets out in search of this strange treasure. Thirty-five years later, a Portuguese pathologist devoted to the murder mysteries of Agatha Christie finds himself at the center of a mystery of his own and drawn into the consequences of Tomás's quest. Fifty years on, a Canadian senator takes refuge in his ancestral village in northern Portugal, grieving the loss of his beloved wife. But he arrives with an unusual companion: a chimpanzee. And there, the century-old quest comes to an unexpected conclusion.

Adult nonfiction

The Lost City of Z by David Grann

A grand mystery reaching back centuries. A sensational disappearance that made headlines around the world. A quest for truth that leads to death, madness or disappearance for those who seek to solve it. The Lost City of Z is a blockbuster adventure narrative about what lies beneath the impenetrable jungle canopy of the Amazon.

Youth fiction

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo

Edward Tulane, a cold-hearted and proud toy rabbit, loves only himself until he is separated from the little girl who adores him and travels across the country, acquiring new owners and listening to their hopes, dreams and histories.

Picture Books

Journey by Aaron Becker

Using a red marker, a young girl draws a door on her bedroom wall and through it enters another world where she experiences many adventures, including being captured by an evil emperor.

Olivia Goes to Venice by Ian Falconer

On a family vacation in Venice, Olivia indulges in gelato, rides in a gondola and finds the perfect souvenir.

Teen fiction

13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson

When 17-year-old Ginny receives a packet of mysterious envelopes from her favorite aunt, she leaves New Jersey to criss-cross Europe on a sort-of scavenger hunt that transforms her life.

Summer Break is well under way! There is still plenty of time to log your reading time and activities, or even sign up if you have not yet done so! While reading is always a focus at the library, we also have a lot of opportunities to learn about science, technology, engineering, art and math. STEAM is a hot topic these days and Charlotte Mecklenburg Library has options for all ages to get involved.

Of course, there are lots of great books with a focus on STEAM. Newer titles you can find at the Library are suggested below.

Want to build your own app? There’s a book for that!

For teens and adults:
Swift Programming in Easy Steps by Darryl Bartlett

Build Your First Web App: Learn to Build Web Applications From Scratch by Deborah Levinson

Beginning Programming With Python by John Mueller

For children:
Programming Awesome Apps by Heather Lyons

Get Coding! Learn HTML, CSS, and JavaScript and Build a Website, App, and Game

Coding for Beginners Using Python by Louie Stowell

The Everything Kids’ Scratch Coding Book by Jason Rukman

Interested in learning more about the wildlife in your neighborhood?

For teens and adults:
Birds of the Central Carolinas: Including Ornithological Records and Firsthand Accounts From the Civil War Era to Today by Donald Seriff

Make a Home for Wildlife: Creating Habitat on Your Land: Backyard to Many Acres by Charles Fergus

For children:

Weird but True! Animals: 300 Outrageous Facts about Wacky Wildlife

A Seed Is the Start by Melissa Stewart

Many of our branches have one-on-one technology tutoring to help you with your tech needs. Whether you need help creating a spreadsheet or figuring out how to download the Library’s free ebooks, contact your local branch to see how we can help. 

Teens and preteens should check out the Messy Makerspace at ImaginOn! During the open hours, teens and preteens can play around with all of the fun stuff, including a 3D printer. ImaginOn also offers specialized programs that focus on a specific projects such as screen printing. 

There are STEAM programs for school-aged kids almost daily at the Library, so be sure to look at our full listing of options, ranging from programs about different building materials to making your own ice cream!

Also, be sure to visit our online resources which are available 24/7 on our website!  
Universal Class and Lynda.com have excellent learning courses and videos on countless topics, including coding and web design. Learn to use whichever program you prefer - Python, Java, MySQL, Git and more. All you have to do is create an account, which is free with your library card!

Additionally, PowerKnowledge Life Science, Physical Science and Earth & Space Science are great resources for kids. Ideal for third to sixth graders, each source is full of articles, videos, games and even ideas for science experiments.

Whatever and however you decide to learn, remember to log it as a learning activity on your Summer Break account and continue to have a great summer!

Charlotte Mecklenburg Library, ASC Culture Blocks and Photosynthesis Inc have teamed up to present a series of free photography classes at the West Boulevard Branch Library. Finding Home Again is open to photographers of all skill levels. You can use a cell phone camera or a professional level camera gear. No matter your past experience, you’ll learn techniques to enhance your photography skills.

This series is focused on the experiences of Montagnard first generation immigrants. The Montagnards, hilltribe people from Vietnam, were recruited by the U.S. Special Forces to serve as front-line fighters with the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. After the United States withdrew from Vietnam, they were targeted by the Communist Vietnamese government as traitors and U.S. spies. Many Montagnards continued to fight the Vietnamese after the United States left, believing they were acting on behalf of the U.S. government. When they finally learned that the U.S. government no longer supported them, they were forced to flee as refugees.

In 1986, about 200 Montagnard refugees, mostly men, were resettled in North Carolina. A second group of about 400 came in late 1992. While these first groups of refugees faced considerable difficulties, most have adapted reasonably well. Since that time, additional families have come, especially relatives and persons released from re-education camps (prisoners of war). In 2002, another 900 Montagnards were resettled in North Carolina. This last group brings with them troubled histories of persecution, and few have family or political ties with the established Montagnard communities here. Their resettlement is proving to be much more difficult. There are about 5,000 Montagnards in North Carolina. More than half of these are in the Greensboro area, but there are significant populations in Charlotte and Raleigh, as well.

Join others in your community as we explore ways to use photography to document memories, reflect on the immigration process, and/or to share your experience of being in Charlotte, NC.

Register now for one of the classes by clicking on the date you wish to attend.

ASC Culture Blocks and Photosynthesis Inc. Presents: Finding Home Again - all sessions at West Boulevard Library:

Saturday, July 20, 2019 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Saturday, August 17, 2019  2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Saturday, September 28, 2019  2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Saturday, October 19, 2019  2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Whether you're planning a trip for summer, fall, winter or spring,  be sure to use your Charlotte Mecklenburg Library card for all your travel needs!

Before You Go:

Every smart traveler knows to pack lightly and plan early.  We always have traditional guidebooks at every location, but here are some digital suggestions to leave room for more souvenirs and help you navigate your travels: 

• Download the Hoopla app to access hundreds of recently published guidebooks, maps included, from well-known publishers Frommer's and Fodor's. 
• Avoid looking like a tourist with The NFT (Not for Tourists) guidebooks, available for major cities in United States.
• The Lonely Planet guides began as backpackers’ guides but are perfect for budget travelers. We recommend How to Pack for Any Trip and Film and TV Locations. 
• Plan a road trip with a route from The Most Scenic Drives in America or National Geographic Guide to Scenic Highways and Byways.  If you’re feeling adventurous, Darryl Sleath’s The Road Trip Book includes famous drives throughout the world.  Be sure to pack an atlas!
• Download Atlas Obscura to learn what oddities await at your next destination. 

• Learn the language of the country you’re visiting by downloading Mango Languages app, free with your library card, to your smartphone. 
• Rent a Wi-Fi Hotspot if you’re not sure about the cost or availability of internet access (only available for use in the continental U.S.). 

Free Entertainment:

Your suitcases are packed, and your reservations are confirmed.  Pass the time on your flight or in the car with these audiobook and magazine suggestions: 

• Compare the television show Game of Thrones with the books by listening to the George R.R. Martin series. 

• Get in the traveling spirit by listening to works by respected travel authors Bill Bryson, Paul Theroux or Peter Mayle. 
• Try something funny with audiobooks by David Sedaris, Nora Ephron or Chelsea Handler.  

• Explore the latest travel issues of National Geographic Traveler and Conde Nast Traveler through our digital resource RBDigital. 

Staycation:

You don’t have to travel far to have a great experience with these free ideas!

• Trade your sunglasses for a pair of VR glasses Thursday, July 25 at our Beatties Ford Road Library for an Armchair Travel program.  Head to exotic locations like Thailand without leaving town! 
• Learn about a new culture, such as Japanese, Chinese, French or Spanish, through Universal Class.
• Escape the brutal Carolina heat by watching Antarctica--A Year On Ice, Meru: Mountain Climbing in the Himalayas, or more than 220 travel videos on our video service, Kanopy. 
• Mark your calendars for a fall travel discussion series at our Morrison Library September 18.

Whether you’re traveling by air, sea or car, take the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library with you this summer.

Don’t forget!

Library Week at Carowinds is next week.  And by the way, we’ll have Storytimes too!

Charlotte Mecklenburg Library cardholders can get discounted tickets to the Carowinds theme park from July 22, 2019 through July 28, 2019.

To purchase discounted tickets, Library cardholders can click the button below and login with the username CM and password LIBRARY (case sensitive).

Discounted tickets are good Monday, July 22, 2019 through Sunday, July 28, 2019.

PURCHASE CAROWINDS LIBRARY WEEK TICKETS

Storytimes at Carowinds!

During Library Week, the Library will provide three Storytimes each day of the week at the Peanuts in the Camp Theater.  Hang out with all your favorite Peanuts pals and participate in Storytime with some of the library’s best staff!

• Monday, July 22, 2019 – 2:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, July 23, 2019 – 2:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, July 24, 2019 – 2:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.
• Thursday, July 25, 2019 – 2:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.
• Friday, July 26, 2019 – 2:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Check out what’s going on at the Library!

Summer Break Events

Comments? Questions?

Are you having problems with the Summer Break website or your account? Do you have questions about the program? Feel free to stop by your local library for assistance, give us a call at 704-416-0101 or email us at [email protected].

On July 20, 1969, two American astronauts became the first humans to set foot on the moon. That was 50 years ago.

For nine days in the month of July, 1969, the people of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County followed the Apollo 11 Mission with breathless attention. Like other Americans, they knew this was the culmination of a decade of effort. After the turbulence of the 1960s, many hungered for a story of ingenuity, determination and bravery that all could celebrate together. 

In keeping with NASA’s policy of openness about the space program, much of the voyage was shown and analyzed on television. Every moment was fraught with peril. The deaths of the three astronauts of Apollo One, a year and a half prior, confirmed that the risks were real. One local resident, interviewed years later by the Charlotte Observer, recalled “marveling at the minute-by-minute planning and waiting in suspense.” (Ann Doss Helms, “Man on Moon, Wonder in Gaston” Charlotte Observer, July 20, 1989, p.1 of Gaston Observer section.)  

The actual moonwalk lasted from 11:00 p.m. Sunday night to 1:00 a.m. Monday morning. President Nixon informally declared July 21, 1969, “Moonday.” North Carolina state workers got the day off, but others reported to work bleary-eyed. The Observer reported that traffic was light uptown and that the Apollo mission was “all anyone could talk about." (“In Charlotte, N.C., Moon-Struck Relief . . . Sighs,” Charlotte Observer, July 22, 1969, p.9A) 

The Welch family owned a dance studio in Shelby, NC, in 1969. A photograph of their tribute to the Apollo 11 Mission was printed in the Charlotte Observer on July 25, the day after splashdown. 

“’We were together, but separated, like Columbia and Eagle,’ said Welch.”  

Charlotte Observer, July 25, 1969, p.9A 

One local boy turned eleven years old on the weekend of the moon landing. His family created a three-foot high birthday cake in the shape of a Saturn rocket. “When the candles that formed the numerals “11” were touched off, the burn was so intense that the “O” in Apollo was badly scorched.” (“Birthday Blastoff,” Charlotte Observer, July 24, 1969, p.1B)

Fortunately, the real Apollo 11 suffered no such fate, fulfilling the hopes of all who watched. 

Each summer Charlotte Mecklenburg Library encourages people of all ages to participate in our summer learning program, Summer Break: Read, Learn, Explore. There are lots of reasons why! We think one of the best parts of Summer Break is hearing from participants about all the wonderful, little, powerful or unexpected ways that the program has impacted their lives. From encouraging participants to further explore the city, to motivating students to read all summer long, we’ve compiled some notable stories. Keep reading for inspiration.  

Summer Break Keeps Kids Reading All Summer Long 

Last year, one family was able to visit Carowinds for the first time, thanks to Summer Break. This year, the kids reminded their mom about the Summer Break program! On the last day of school, they asked if she would bring them to the Library so they could register and get their coupons for a free Jr. Frosty from Wendy's. They have already completed the program, but the kids have promised to continue reading and logging their time each week so that they’ll be eligible to receive a Carowinds ticket again this summer. Way to go super summer readers! We’re glad our partnership with Carowinds is motivating you to read all summer long. 

For details on how you can become eligible for a Carowinds ticket check out our website for details. 

Summer Break Encourages Participants to Explore Their Community 

For one new-to-Charlotte mom and her family, Summer Break provided a great resource to not only get her child to read, but to help her learn about the area. Staff shared information with her about the Mint Museum’s free admission on Wednesday evenings and the four-mile greenway walk that was close by, both activities can count toward completion of Summer Break. The mom was super excited for her family to EXPLORE more of the city with help from our Summer Learning program.  

Look here for even more ways to explore this summer. 

Summer Break Waives Fines So You Can Read More 

A mother and her children visited the Library and discovered that, while they had been checking out a lot of library materials, they had also forgotten to return some books on time which accrued late fees. With Summer Break, the family received fine waivers just for signing up and they used those fine waivers to clear their library accounts. The kids were thrilled about the Wendy’s Jr. Frosty coupons and the opportunity to earn more prizes got them excited about reading over the summer. Thanks to the fine waivers, mom was able to let them check out all the books they wanted.  

Has Summer Break Made an Impact on You? 

If you have a story you’d like to share about Summer Break we’d love to hear it!  You can email us at [email protected], fill out the contact us form on our website or tell any staff member next time you visit the library! 

Did you know the Library offers databases on science? Try out one or more of these digital resources for free with your Library card and learn something new! 

Celebrate the 50th anniversary of the July 1969 moon landing by exploring the great digital resources Charlotte Mecklenburg Library has on science. Our databases - for all ages - can help you explore everything from how the moon causes ocean tides,  in-depth history behind NASA’s space program and discover other science topics. 

What can research do? Economists have said that a third to a half of U.S. economic growth has resulted from basic research since World War II. The cars and trains that got you where you are today, your smart phones, the energy that lights your room, the clothes you wear, the food you eat: all of these were developed and improved through research. 

All databases and resources can be accessed using your Charlotte Mecklenburg Library or ONE Access™ card number.  

PebbleGo Science 

PebbleGo Science is a research tool targeted for children grades K-3 that covers key topics in life sciences, physical sciences , Earth and space science, and engineering and technology applications of science.  This online resource contains leveled text, simple navigation, and read-aloud audio accompany articles.  

Click here to explore 

PowerKnowledge Earth and Space Science 

This database is an online Earth & Space science resource specifically designed for learners in grades 3 to 6. Use this online resource to learn more about earth cycles, ecosystems and biomes, rocks, energy and matter, maps, natural disaster, environmental issues, space and more. It offers games and ideas for science fair projects and experiments, and presents information in text and video. 

Click here to explore 

PowerKnowledge Life Science 

This online resource, targeted for learners in grades 3 to 6,  focused on Life Science. Topics include animals, endangered and extinct species, food chains, green living, habitats, the human body, plants and more. The site offers games, brain teasers, ideas for science fair projects and experiments, and presents information in text and video.

Click here to explore  

PowerKnowledge Physical Science 

This is an online Physical Science resource designed for learners in grades 3 to 6. Topics include atoms, molecules, elements and the periodic table, energy and matter, force and motion,  temperature and measurement, and more. The site offers games, brain teasers, ideas for science fair projects and experiments, and presents information in text and video. 

 Click here to explore 

Science in Context 

This database is targeted to adults and provides reference content for many topics of interest A to Z – from 3D printing to fluid dynamics, from bees to metabolism, and from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder to zoology. Plus, you’ll also find access to magazines, journals, news sources, experiments, and more. Science In Context covers earth science, life science, space, technology, mathematics, science history, and biography. 

Click here to explore 

Welcome to Week 9 of Summer Break!

Summer Break may be Charlotte Mecklenburg Library’s summer learning program, but it wouldn’t be possible without the strong support we receive from our sponsors. We thank these sponsors for their support, which helps the Library improve lives and build a stronger community.

Summer Break got off to a sweet start thanks to Wendy’s! A coupon for a complimentary Junior Frosty provided the perfect sign-up incentive for participants of all ages. Wendy’s has been a long-time sponsor of summer learning programs at Charlotte Mecklenburg Library. Thank you, Wendy’s, for your support of Summer Break!

For the second year, the Library has been honored to partner with Carowinds. Not only does Carowinds generously donate tickets to encourage our community to read and learn all summer long, but they celebrate literacy during Library Week – where library cardholders receive discounted tickets and enjoy storytimes at the theme park. Thank you, Carowinds!

An important partner in all Library ventures is the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Foundation. Their support this year has been crucial in facilitating programs reaching all populations – from infant storytimes and programs for people with special needs to outreach to the elderly. Thank you, Library Foundation, for contributing to the ongoing success of Summer Break!

Comments? Questions?

Are you having problems with the Summer Break website or your account? Do you have questions about the program? Feel free to stop by your local library for assistance, give us a call at 704-416-0101 or email us at [email protected].