The South County Regional Library is in South Charlotte, on the corner of Rea Road and Pineville-Matthews Road. A beautiful public art piece, Open Book, Open Mind by North Carolina artist and sculptor Jim Gallucci, features colorful book covers with classic titles, brightens up the exterior of the branch. This southernmost location in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg County Library system is freshly renovated. On the first level of the two-story building, our popular collection, composed of the newest adult books, DVDs, books on disc, and playaways, is the first department visible from the front door. The children’s department houses a new storytime room with a wooden tree that grows up to the ceiling! Also located on the first floor is a “cafe” with vending machines, tables, and a laptop bar.

Upstairs there is an awesome teen zone with a private teen loft set aside for studying and teen programming. Tables, chairs, and booths fill the second level and create perfect spaces for customers to read, write, and tutor. There are also windowed alcoves for customers who desire more privacy. The majority of the adult collection can be found upstairs. Genres range from romance to mystery, and best sellers to independent publishing houses. There are adult and young adult graphic novels, an adult large print collection, public computers, and printers as well.

South Charlotte is a growing community full of residents from all over the world. To assist them to the best of our ability, our library houses an extensive collection of world language materials for all ages. In the young adult collection, there are books in Spanish, Chinese, Gujarati, Hindi, Japanese, Russian, and Vietnamese. For adults, there is a world language section which includes Arabic, French, German, Gujarati, Marathi, Telugu, Hindi, Russian, Chinese (there is a substantial number of books!), Vietnamese, and Spanish (this is another extensive collection). Finally, the children’s department contains books in Spanish, Spanish/English (books that have both languages on the pages), Gujarati, Hindi, Telugu, French, German, Russian, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Vietnamese. In addition to the languages in print found at South County, there are also members of the staff who are fluent in Russian, Greek, Vietnamese, German, Hindi, Marathi, and Afrikaans, to name a few!

The Four Mile Creek greenway is walking distance from South County, and is a popular, outdoor, walkable park. If you are looking for a beautiful location to jog, walk, or bike, this greenway is a wonderful place to be outdoors and avoid car traffic. Across the street from the greenway is a Trader Joe’s location, which always keeps the parking lot on the corner of Rea Rd and Bevington Place busy.

There are a wide range of communities and shopping centers within a 20-minute radius of South County. The Arboretum (Pineville Matthews Road near Providence Road), Stonecrest (Rea Road, near 485), and Blakeney (the intersection of Rea Road and Ardrey Kell) are examples of local shopping centers which house stores and restaurants for all your shopping and dining needs, such as Wal-Mart, Target, Old Navy, Harris Teeter, Marshalls, Malaya Kitchen, Nothing but Noodles, Greco, 131 Main, and Zoe’s Kitchen. A nearby neighborhood named Ballantyne has much to offer including a location named, Ballantyne’s Backyard. It is an old golf course converted into a community park. For our Hindu neighbors, the Hindu Center of Charlotte is a 30-minute drive away from this branch.  

New to Charlotte? Explore other neighborhoods through the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library blog and WelcomeCLT, a digital space created for newcomers to Charlotte.

Resources:

• South County Regional Library – 5801 Rea Rd, Charlotte, NC 28277 | 704-416-6600
• Trader Joe’s -- 6418 Rea Rd, Charlotte, NC 28277 | 704-543-5249
• The Arboretum -- 8008 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC 28277
• Stonecrest -- 7900 Rea Rd, Charlotte, NC 28277
• Blakeney -- 9870 Rea Rd, Charlotte, NC 28277
• Malaya Kitchen -- 8200-400 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC 28277 | 704-541-6668
• Greco -- 9820 Rea Rd Suite E, Charlotte, NC, 28277 | 704-542-7770
• Ballantyne’s Backyard -- 11611 N Community House Rd, Charlotte, NC 28277 | 704-248-2000
• Hindu Center of Charlotte -- 7400 City View Dr, Charlotte, NC 28212 | 704-607-8412

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This blog is written by Kristiana Belsito, a library assistant for Charlotte Mecklenburg Library.

If you thought we’d get emotional about your kind words about how much you love the Library, you were right. We can’t help it – you’re our people.

As we cling to our mission to improve lives and build a stronger community, we wholly commit ourselves to being the best Library we can be for everyone who enters our doors, visits us online, hangs out on our Mobile Library and more. Through our programs, partnerships, resources and services, we make connections and build relationships that sometimes last a lifetime.

February is Library Lover’s Month and we wanted to give you the floor - or a blog post - to gush or boast about what you love about the Library, friendships you've made, programs you'll always remember, your favorite librarian, and even the impact Charlotte Mecklenburg Library has made on your life. And we hope you know; the love is mutual.

Here’s what you had to share:

“Love the virtual rookie science programs at my library. Very engaging for me and my little ones!”

- Joan (North County)

“As a 5-and-a-half-year-old girl in blue overalls and blonde pigtails, I would pull my red wagon up to the Myers Park Library and fill my wagon with books that I loved to read. It was a passion that I would do every few days. Books took me to far away places, and taught me a love of animals and how to protect them. There was no better place to feel safe and secure. Because I loved reading, I became a reading teacher for many years. I am always with a book!

- Linda (Myers Park)



"When I was single, I used to rent movies, read real estate magazines and just hang out there reading different books of interest. As a student at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, I used the room provided to study and PC rooms to revise my resume. Now married with kids, I love the fact that you guys have bilingual reading events. For me, it's beneficial for my kids to be bilingual and it's good to start early."

- Christian (North County)

"I still remember when my dad took me to University City Regional Library for the first time and got my library card. The cube when you first walk in had me awestruck. Over the years, I moved and I always missed and longed for this library. Finally, I moved back and Covid hit, but this library helped me virtually connect with so many book clubs and now new friends!"

- Heather (University City)

"When my family and I moved to Charlotte in 2007, I had no idea the trips to SouthPark Library with my then, two-year-old, would provide the missing puzzle piece to determining what type of writer I would become. While I'd always loved to write, reading multiple picture books with my daughter created a new passion and desire to write one myself. Fast-forward 15 years. I have published one picture book, and have a chapter book series coming out fall 2022. Among a few other things, I owe my love for children's lit and ultimately my writing career, to those library treks with my toddler in tow. Some of my fondest memories for sure."

- Dorothy (SouthPark)

"We have the Library to thank for our love story. Meeting at a book club in fall 2017, it wasn't quite love at first sight, but many years wiser and book discussions later, we started dating in 2020. Nurtured by our book club leader, who encouraged our romance, we enjoy reading together, sharing recommendations, and discussing what we're reading. We're a nerdy match made in book club heaven."

- Sarah (Plaza Midwood)



"My mom took me to UC and ImaginOn for years, but I first started frequenting the UC library when I was pulled out of CMS and homeschooled in 2012-2013. I had been struggling a lot academically and emotionally, and felt very alone. The library was a place I knew I could always escape and do schoolwork, and get lost in books about airplanes, electronics, and Guinness World Records. Even now years later, I always feel comforted knowing the library is always there even when I feel lost."

- Ben (University City)

Paws to Read program:

"Hi Kristen, thank you so much, that was exceptional. I could hear Ruben’s owner interacting and laughing at the pictures and that means a lot to Ari. It’s such a positive experience to have these interactions. CMLibrary's OUTSTANDING librarians and staff have made our lives rich with positivity in this world tragedy. As a mom, having these lights shining in my daughters and my life makes my heart sing!"

- Ari & Lesle (Matthews 

Harry Golden (1902-1981) was born Harry Goldhirsch on May 6, 1902 in eastern Galicia. In 1905, he immigrated to America with his parents Leib and Anna Klein Goldhirsch. The family settled in the Lower East Side of New York City and changed their last name to Goldhurst. Leib Goldhurst worked as a teacher and later served as the editor of the Jewish Daily Forward. 

Harry was an excellent scholar and equally well-read in areas of literature, history and philosophy. During the day, Harry peddled newspapers and clerked for Oscar Geiger’s Fur Manufacturing Company. At night, he attended East Side Evening High School and graduated in 1921. For the next three years, he attended night classes at the City College of New York, but left before graduating.  From 1918-1921 while working for Oscar Geiger, he became involved with the Round Table Literary Club. It was through this organization that Harry rounded off his education and became a public speaker for the Socialist Party and social reforms. 

Harry Golden. Photographed by Verdie Perille, 1956. (Courtesy of RSCR, H_2000_01_349_20) 

After leaving college, Harry worked as a stockbroker and by 1926 he was the head of the firm Kable and Company. That same year he married Genevieve Alice Marie Gallagher, a schoolteacher. The couple had four sons, Richard (b. 1927), Harry Jr., (b. 1927), William (b. 1929) and Peter (1938-1957).  

In 1929, Harry’s brokerage firm filed bankruptcy and he was charged with mail fraud. Found guilty, Harry spent three and half years in the Atlanta Federal Penitentiary. He returned to New York in 1933 and worked for his brother, Jacob, who ran a hotel. However, Harry’s new aspiration was to become a journalist. Between 1939 and 1941, he sold advertisements for the New York Daily Mirror and the New York Post. It is reported that he worked at a number of southern newspapers at this time, but there is no verification of the exact locations. 

By late 1941 after a stint in Norfolk, Virginia, Harry settled permanently in Charlotte. He changed his last name to Golden to protect his prison record, which was later revealed in the late 1950s. His first job was selling advertising and writing editorials for the Charlotte Labor Journal and the Charlotte Observer. It was in Charlotte that Harry Golden’s reputation as a defender of civil rights and social justice solidified.  

Masthead of the Carolina Israelite, 1956. Courtesy of UNC-Charlotte's Race & Education in Charlotte Exhibit. 

“...It wasn’t that it was easier to start a newspaper in Charlotte than it was in New York—it is hard to start a newspaper anywhere—it was that the big story was in the South...” -Harry Golden 

In October 1942, he worked with the Charlotte News to print his own newspaper, the Carolina Israelite. Two years later Harry assumed all publishing and printing duties, which enabled him to publish the Carolina Israelite on a regular basis. The paper was solely Golden’s creation--he sold advertisements, wrote articles, and built an international circulation of 30,000. In 1958, a fire destroyed his subscription lists. This event was soon followed by the publication of his criminal record. However, Harry and the Carolina Israelite persevered until it folded in 1968. 

 

Left to right: Harry Golden, Richard E. Thigpen, Judge John J. Parker, and Judge Francis Biddle. Harry Golden awarded the Carolina Israelite Gold Medal Award to Judge John J. Parker at Hotel Charlotte, February 1949. Courtesy of Charlotte Observer. 

Harry Golden became the spokesperson for the rights of the oppressed, whether by race, religion, or economic status. His articles, although satirical in nature, raised subjects that were often taboo in the south, including equal rights for the Black community and discrimination against Jewish people. Harry wrote for the Nation, Commentary Life, and Congress Weekly, and in 1961, he covered the infamous Eichmann Trial. 

In 1958, Golden became a best-selling author with the publication of his essays entitled Only in America. One year later the book was adapted by famed playwrights Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee and presented on Broadway. Other works by Golden include Jews in American History: Their Contributions of the United States of America with Martin Rywell (1950), Jewish Roots in the Carolinas: A Pattern of America Phil-Semitism (1955), For 2 cents Plain (1959), Enjoy, Enjoy! (1960) Carl Sandburg (1961), Five Boyhoods (edited by Martin Levin, 1962), You’re Entitle’ (1962), The Harry Golden Omnibus (1962), Mr. Kennedy and the Negroes (1964), So What Else is New? (1964), Ess, Ess, Mein Kindt (1966), The Best of Harry Golden (1967), The Right Time; an Autobiography; an Autobiography (1969), So Long As You’re Healthy (1970), The Israelis; Portrait of a People (1971), The Golden Book of Jewish Humor (1972), The Greatest Jewish City in the World (1972), Travels through Jewish America (with Richard Goldhurst, 1973), Our Southern Landsmen (1974) and Long Live Columbus (1975). At the time of his death, Golden left an unpublished manuscript, “America, I Love You.” 

 

Harry Golden in his Charlotte home (Courtesy of RSCR, MIC_2013_08_274_00) 

In addition to his career in journalism, he was also a member of the American Jewish Congress, NAACP, Southern Regional Council, the Catholic Interracial Council, and B’nai B’rith.   

On October 2, 1981, Harry Golden died in his beloved, adopted city of Charlotte, and is buried at the Hebrew Cemetery. 

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The Robinson-Spangler Carolina Room houses the Harry Golden Papers, 1960-1978. To learn more about collection materials, view the finding aid on ArchivesSpace.  

Written by Shelia Bumgarner, Robinson-Spangler Carolina Room librarian. 

As an African American educator and children’s author,  in prior years I’ve noticed the lack of literature that our children have access to.  Literature that’s easy to read, understand and serves as a representation of themselves. However, current data includes some things to celebrate, and we are celebrating them! The number of diverse books published has increased substantially.

African American authors are misunderstood, misrepresented and fighting hard, frequently thankless, and it’s easy to become burnt out to get a spot on the shelf with African American representation in literature.  

Join us on Tuesday, February 22, 2022, as the Library hosts its second annual celebration of the National African American Read-In, an event for the entire family. This event will be live-streamed on the Library’s YouTube & Facebook Pages, and there, myself and a few other panelists will be expounding on this topic.

To see more information on the 2nd Annual National African American Read-In, click here.

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This blog was written by author Shaketa Richardson 

When my son arrived, I established a goal to read two books a day with him. Together, we read a variety of books featuring animals, shapes, children and letters. I enjoyed picture books where I was able to make up my own bedtime story for him. During those moments, I would usually make him the leading character and use his favorite toys or foods all throughout the story. A few months into our reading time, I began to take inventory of the children’s books within our home library. I became intrigued by the lack of diversity within the children’s books within our home and specifically the lack of everyday stories featuring young Black boys as the protagonist.

I started to get more specific on the type of book that I was looking for featuring a young Black boy. Many people love the children’s book I Love You Forever by Robert Munsch. It is a story of a mother who loves her son and follows their journey from the son being raised by his mother until the son ends up being the caregiver for his mother until she dies. I loved this story and the bond that it represents between a mother and her son. I felt confident that I would be able to find this everyday story told with mothers and sons from different cultural backgrounds. I decided to look online to see if I could find a few versions of this book and surprisingly, I could not find it. Instead, I found that there were more books with animals and trucks as the protagonist than there were about people of Color.

My entire life I have been exposed to the positive images of Black boys through my own personal encounters. Alternatively, I have watched the media publish demonizing images and stereotypes of Black boys that did not match my everyday experience.

As a parent, I am passionate about marrying the media images of Black boys with the actual joy and experience that exists within my everyday life. I believe that once the two images match that society will begin to see Black boys as humans and not “things” such as a thug or athletes. The labels that are put on Black boys allow society to detach itself from the idea that Black boys are indeed humans that are loved by their mothers and bring joy to those around them.

Join us on Tuesday, February 22, 2022, as the library hosts its second annual celebration of the National African American Read-In, an event for the entire family. This event will be live-streamed on the library’s YouTube & Facebook Pages, and there, myself and a few other panelists will be expounding on this topic.

To see more information on the 2nd Annual National African American Read-In, click here.

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This blog was written by author and National African American Read-In panelist Charlitta Hatch

Did you recently start a business and need to brush up on Excel to track your budget and other spreadsheets? Have you just started using a computer or smartphone? Do you need to expand your knowledge of Microsoft Office and Google Workspace Apps for your job?  

No matter where you are on your journey learning about technology and software, our DigiLit classes are a wonderful place to start! DigiLit is the brand for Charlotte Mecklenburg Library’s suite of Digital Literacy classes. We offer classes that will get you started with the basics, and then connect you with the best resources to continue your learning! 

We are currently offering our DigiLit classes online using Zoom. To view our full schedule visit: cmlibrary.org/calendar.  

Charlotte Mecklenburg Library has been hosting reading and literacy programs for many years and our annual Community Read program is part of that history. My time with Community Read goes back to its beginnings in 2014, where at the time, the Library selected and offered only one book for the community to read. The initiative lasted one week and included planned programming that support the themes of the book. Over time, the program has changed, grown, and evolved from a library-led program to being more community centered featuring support through Library staff and resources. One thing however has remained the same — Community Read invites everyone to read or listen to books of current and relevant topics and participate in discussions, book clubs and events hosted by community partners and the Library.

Everyone can participate in Community Read as the program features books and events for all ages and reading levels. This year, our signature title is Tomorrow’s Bread by Anna Jean Mayhew. We also have two companion titles for children Windows by Julia Denos and The Blue House by Phoebe Wahl as well as two middle grade books, Take Back the Block by Chrystal D. Giles and  The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora by Pablo Cartaya. For teens and those who enjoy the young adult genre, we have also included the book Pride by Ibi Aanu Zoboi. Our theme for this year’s program is “finding common ground” and all the selected titles share the common themes of gentrification and urban renewal. We encourage readers and book clubs to get together virtually, or safely in person, to discuss the common themes found in all the books. Speaking of finding the books, all the titles are available for checkout in several formats, but also available for free at all branch locations while supplies last — a far cry from our original one book program.

Over the last 8 years, Community Read has grown to offer programming and events for an entire month during March and a complete list of programs and events offered by our partners and staff can be found on our website. Community Read is designed to get everyone involved and our goal is to engage 10,000 people, or 10% of Mecklenburg County in the program. We invite you to do this by taking the Beanstack Reading Challenge to log reading and activity time and by joining us for our signature author events throughout the month.

What does it take for us to find common ground when discussing these important topics? We invite you to Read the books and join the discussion as we find the answers together.

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This blog was written by Meryle Leonard, assistant director of outreach at Charlotte Mecklenburg Library.

By Tommy Scott 

When local business owner Anthony Gill’s laptop broke during an important day at work, he started looking for other options – which led him to Mountain Island Library, and a whole world of opportunity.  

Gill is the owner of Gill Incorporated Design Solutions, an end-to-end product development services company based in Charlotte. Like many in the post-2020 world, he conducts most of his business virtually.  

With that comes the need for a space to work. Gill has long preferred to be outside of his home - whether that be a coffee shop, restaurant, or anywhere else he can get internet access and quietly spend his time working.  

However, when Gill’s laptop broke, he found Mountain Island Library in a Google search - and the rest is history.  

Gill, who uses the computer lab at the Library daily now, says his eyes were opened very quickly to how many resources the Library has to offer outside of books.  

“I’ve discovered a lot of free resources that are available online here,” Gill said. “Not having access to my laptop but being at the Library gives me access to software and other programs that I otherwise would not have.” 

Gill said that a Library assistant spent time sharing business resources that he could access at the Library.  

“Dexter introduced me to one program specifically that has a database full of companies which could be used for marketing or networking opportunities,” Gill said. “Just knowing the Library offers all these resources that can help my business is a great feeling.” 

Beyond having the resources to help him run his business, Gill has started participating in Library programs while he is there – most notably, a sign language class. 

“I had an interest in learning sign language, and they have a class once a week here,” Gill said. “I decided to start participating and now I have been going for a few months. People just don’t realize what a great resource the Library is.” 

Gill says that another great aspect of being at the Library is the sense of community.  

“That’s been an unexpected benefit of being here,” Gill said. “There is a very calm and welcoming atmosphere here. I even spend some time out by the pond occasionally for fresh air during the day.” 

While Gill originally came into the Library with a simple need for computer access, he was able to be fully immersed in what a library truly is – a place to learn a new skill, a place to meet new people, a place to manage your business. He discovered that the library can be whatever you need it to be.  

Charlotte Mecklenburg Library announces the return of Community Read in March with a focus on creating community dialogue around themes of food as a community and cultural connector.

Community Read is the Library’s monthlong effort to have the community read or listen to books of current and relevant topics and participate in discussions, book clubs and events hosted by the Library and community partners.

The signature title, “Buttermilk Graffiti” by Edward Lee, includes a scheduled appearance by the author on March 19 at ImaginOn.

Adults are encouraged to read and discuss the main title, as well as selected companion titles for children and teens including “Somewhere Between Bitter and Sweet” by Laekan Zea Kemp, “Measuring Up” by Lily LaMotte and “Thank You, Omu!” by Oge Mora.

All four titles are available for free at every Library location while supplies last and are also available for digital download. Library-created cookbooks are available at all locations while supplies last.

While there are Community Read programs and events at Library locations throughout March, below are the featured “Meet the Author” events:

Meet Lily LaMotte

Wednesday, March 6 at 6 p.m. – North County Regional Library

Come meet Lily LaMotte, the author of the 2024 Community Read middle grade selection, “Measuring Up.” Listen to Ms. LaMotte speak about the inspiration for her book, writing a graphic novel and how food connects us to community. Copies of her book will be available for purchase.

Meet Oge Mora

Thursday, March 7 at 6 p.m. – SouthPark Regional Library

Come meet Oge Mora, the author of the 2024 Community Read picture book selection, “Thank You, Omu!” Listen to Ms. Mora speak about the inspiration for her book and how food connects us to community. Copies of her book will be available for purchase.

Meet Laekan Zea Kemp

March 11, 14 and 26 – Online Events

Celebrate reading and join Laekan Zea Kemp, author of our Community Read teen companion title, “Somewhere Between Bitter and Sweet.” There will be three opportunities to connect with the author and all can be accessed online for free:

March 11 - Online Author Talk

March 14 - Teens Live on Instagram

March 26 - Teen Book Club

To learn more about Community Read, visit cmlibrary.org/community-read. To learn more about Community Read events and programs, visit cmlibrary.org/events.