Join us in April for Día, a celebration of children, reading and culture.

Get ready to celebrate El día de los niños/El día de los libros (Children’s Day/Book Day) in April 2022 with Charlotte Mecklenburg Library.

Also known as Día, this initiative emphasizes the importance of literacy for children of all linguistic and cultural backgrounds. This year's Día programs are virtual and children and families can experience cultural programs from the comfort of their home. 

Charlotte Mecklenburg Library is proud to present, Sonia Manzano as our featured Día guest. Sonia has inspired and educated children and families as "Maria" on Sesame Street for many years. She has been named among the “25 Greatest Latino Role Models Ever” by Latina Magazine.  Manzano contributed to diversity on television and in the educational realm. She is the author of numerous children and adult books including her memoir, Becoming Maria: Love and Chaos in the South. She recently created a new television series for PBS titled Alma’s Way. Don’t miss this presentation on April 20^th at 6:30 p.m. Register on the Library’s website.

 

Other Dia programs include an ASL (American Sign Language) storytelling program provided by the Division of Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and a special story time program presented by, I Can Read Black Stories Día edition.  Each of our locations will host a special Día program and beginning April 18^th, Día @ Home, take home activity kits, will be available at our locations while supplies last. On Saturday, April 30^th Join Mr. Nigel’s Music and Criss Cross Mango Sauce for our grand Día finale!

Charlotte Mecklenburg Library celebrates Día as part of its commitment to connecting children and their families to multicultural books, bilingual services, and educational resources.  Learn more about the services provided by the Library's Outreach Department.

For more information or booklist about Día and information on our branch programs visit Día 2022.

Día is a celebration every day of children, families and reading, that culminates yearly with celebrations held across the country on or near April 30th. The celebration emphasizes the importance of literacy for children of all linguistic and cultural backgrounds. Learn more.

Grateful is an understatement. Charlotte Mecklenburg Library wouldn't be as great of a Library without our wonderful volunteers. 

When we closed our libraries in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, we felt it because we have to say "see you later" to our volunteers, too.  Over the last two years, our limited service capabilities allowed us to only bring back a handful of volunteers for special projects.  And, while we were thrilled to work with those we could, we missed all of our volunteers - human and canine alike.

This year, for National Volunteer Week (NVW), which runs April 17-23,  we'd like to recognize  some of the hands - and paws - that use their special gifts wand talents to help us carry out our mission to improve lives and build a stronger community. Thank you for inspiring us and encouraging us to take action, work together and creatively meet our communities challenges.

From all of us at Charlotte Mecklenburg Library, thank you Volunteers and Happy National Volunteer Week!

Charlie, a Library volunteer for nearly 10 years,  serves at SouthPark Regional Library. Charlie says, " I love what public libraries stand for and what they provide. The library and its wonderful staff provide a welcoming environment that allows me to be of some service and to remain involved in a small way in the library's mission."

Teen volunteer Alexis, loves that libraries can be treasure troves. She enjoys finding adventure at every turn on Library shelves. 

Julie, a 30-year volunteer loves the Library and has volunteered at both SouthPark Regional and Myers Park Libraries. Julie loves shelving books and magazines. Why does Julie loves volunteering ? " Because I enjoy BEING there, and doing what I am expected to do there."

Nancy enjoys books and organizing.  What has been her experience with the Library? She shares this story: "We moved to Charlotte in May 2011. In July 2011, I started volunteering at South County Regional Library. At first, I shelved holds and then I checked in holds sent from other libraries. I must have volunteered there for about 8 years. I started volunteering at SouthPark Regional Library around 2019 until it was closed due to COVID. Just started back up March 15, 2022."

Dylan, a Davidson Library volunteer, loves helping with storytimes and dressing up as characters to bring joy to younger storytime attendees.

Time flies when you're having fun! Don, a SouthPark Regional volunteer,  says he enjoys shelving books and showing patrons how to use search portals. He's been a Library volunteer for about five (5) years.

Pretzel Sufnarski has been volunteering with the Library more than 10 years. She started in January 2012 and, since then, has made over 100 visits to the Matthews Library. She has visited along with her owner Tonya Sufnarski, and Tonya’s children, Morgan and Mason. Pretzel patiently listens to many stories from many different children. She also has been involved with some special programs that her owners have implemented at her home branch. This year, Tonya’s youngest son, Mason, will be going to college and Pretzel will retire from her years of service with the library. She and the family will be greatly missed. We so appreciate the dedication of this family in helping the library meet its main goal to build a stronger community.





 

The highlight of volunteering for Elizabeth? Leading and assisting story times. "Listening to the stories, laughing, and being taken into a whole new storybook world were some of my favorite childhood memories and I am so glad that I got to share it with the next generation. I can't wait to volunteer in person again!"

Rosemary is an avid volunteer, donating her time to community service even while employed with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS). After retiring from the school system in 2007,  she began volunteering at Atrium Pineville  and SouthPark Regionalto keep busy with meaningful activities. 

She enjoys searching for "lost" books, shelving holds,and pulling holds. 

A retired librarian, has been a Library volunteer since 2019. Susan started volunteering as a Reading Buddy. She paused in 2020 when branches closed as a result of COVID-19 and has looked forward to returning. Is it true that librarians never retire? Susan returned because she wanted to give back to the community and instill a love of reading and curiosity  for knowledge in young readers.

Sneha enjoys volunteering as a math mentor. The heartfelt and warm thank you note she received from one of her youngest students made her realize the impact she can have on the lives of others with helpful interactions. And she still has the note!

From the beginning, Sherri has been enthusiastic about the Library and Paws to Read. Sherri and her dog Rudi (therapy dog) began volunteering for Paws to Read at the beginning of 2020. Mountain Island Library is grateful to have them both volunteer. Seeing a cute furry friend like Rudi brought so much excitement and joy to the branch! 

Mountain Island thanks Sherri and Rudi for being phenomenal, and for giving time to the library and community even when the world seemed uncertain. Sherri and Rudi toughed it out and continued volunteering virtually for two years.

Susan is a 13-year Library volunteer who currently gives her time and talents to Mint Hill Library. Described by Mint Hill staff as "a treasure," Susan has lived in cities across the nation from Minneapolis and Chicago to Los Angeles, and now calls Charlotte home. Susan's favorite thing about volunteering? Interacting with staff and being able to help her library and city.

As she's doing in this photo, Loren is always reaching to new heights to help at South County Regional Library. With her infectiously positive attitude, Loren is a dedicated volunteer who never hesitates to step in wherever needed. She always asks, “what more can I do?” and always wants to learn new tasks to better assist us. The team at South County feel grateful to have her as one of their volunteers.

Judy jumped right in at Independence Regional Library when she saw help was needed. A 26-year Library volunteer, Judy pulls holds, helps with shelving materials, and got her start when she saw we were short-staffed and wanted to improve our work process. For that, we're forever grateful.

Lance has enjoyed volunteering at the Library for 9 years. Described by the team at Mint Hill Library as "thorough," Lance is a wonderful circulation volunteer, ensuring the community gets its hands on requested items in an efficient manner.

A 12-year volunteer, Patty is described by Mint Hill staff as a "Jack of all trades!" She assists at Mint Hill Library by shelving books, pulling books for reports and is always willing to assist with whatever tasks need completion. What does Patty enjoy most about volunteering? Library staff and the atmosphere.

Patty is glad to be back!

Gail started volunteering with the Library in 2019. An elementary school media specialist for 39 years, she retired in 2010 and still enjoys library work. It was only natural that she wanted to volunteer at the Library and help any way she can!

Beth loves reading - and she loves Mint Hill Library staff and community members even more! According to Beth, retirement is sweet when you have a "job" that fulfills you. A worthy highlight? You bet. Staff appreciate the positivity Beth brings to her role as a volunteer.

Suzanne started volunteering at the Library two months before our initial COVID-19 closure and was excited to return as soon as she could. Celebrated as a super-fast learner, Suzanne says she has always enjoyed libraries and wanted to do something useful with her free time. That, and volunteering helps her keep her must-read list full.

The Davidson Library is located in the heart of the town of Davidson at the north end of Mecklenburg County. The town of Davidson is a small, close-knit community of approximately 15,000 residents. Davidson Library sits on the Village Green in the Davidson Historic District along Main Street. Lined with an eclectic assortment of shops and restaurants, there is plenty to see and do, including the beloved independent bookstore across the street from the library: Main Street Books. Many residents found their way to Davidson via Davidson College or in retirement.

The Town of Davidson embraces the outdoors. It is important to residents to be a highly walkable town with plenty of sidewalks and bike lanes. Davidson Parks and Recreation maintains several area parks and a historic site, Beaver Dam Plantation. There is a mini-park for toddlers, the Mary Beaty Tot Lot, just across Main Street, behind Summit Coffee. And Roosevelt Wilson Park is just a few blocks behind Main Street. 

Davidson is a town for foodies. Also on Main Street are delicious local restaurants such as the famous Kindred, the historic Davidson Soda Shop diner, Famous Toastery and farm-to-table Pickled Peach. Further up the road are local favorites Whit's Frozen Custard and Sabi Asian Bistro.

The Town of Davidson has an active calendar of events for residents. In the spring, people enjoy coming together for April is for Arts and ReadDavidson in April and Town Day in May. During the summer, everyone enjoys an outdoor concert series called Concerts on The Green that takes place from the "stage" (front porch) of the Davidson Library. Fourth of July is a festive affair in Davidson too. In late fall, everyone gathers to give candy to festive children during the Halloween March, followed closely by Christmas in Davidson and the North Mecklenburg Christmas Parade right after Thanksgiving.

New to Charlotte-Mecklenburg? The Ada Jenkins Center in Davidson and LiveDavidson have resources to help if needed. The Town of Davidson government offices also offers an annual Civics 101 class to introduce new residents to all that Davidson has to offer. Explore other Charlotte neighborhoods, including nearby neighbor Cornelius, through the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library blog and WelcomeCLT, a digital space created for newcomers to Charlotte.

Resources:

• Davidson Library | 119 S. Main St. Davidson, NC 28036 | 704-416-4000
• Ada Jenkins Center | 212 Gamble St. Davidson, NC 28036 | 704-896-0471
• Civics 101 | 216 S. Main St. Davidson, NC 28036 | 704-892-7591
• Davidson College | Davidson, NC 28036 | 704-894-2000
• Davidson Parks and Recreation | 865 South St. Davidson, NC 28036 | 704-892-3349
• Davidson Soda Shop | 104 S. Main St. Davidson, NC 28036 | 704-896-7743
• Kindred | 131 N. Main St. Davidson, NC 28036 | 980-231-5000
• LiveDavidson | 216 S. Main St. Davidson, NC 28036 | 704-940-9653
• Main Street Books | 126 S. Main St. Davidson, NC 28036 | 704-892-6841
• The Pickled Peach | 202 S. Main St. Davidson, NC 28036 | 704-765-2190
• Sabi Asian Bistro | 130 Harbour Place Dr. Davidson, NC 28036 | 704-895-5707
• Summit Coffee | 128 S. Main St. Davidson, NC 28036 | 980-231-5436
• Village Green | 119 S. Main St. Davidson, NC 28036 | 704-892-3349
• Whit's Frozen Custard | 428 S. Main St. Davidson, NC 28036 | 980-231-5365

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Blog post written by Marie Harris, library manager for Davidson Branch at Charlotte Mecklenburg Library.

Summer is a great time for families to spend time together and develop a love of reading and learning. Summer should be all about fun and our Summer Break program can help provide opportunities to read, be creative, develop social skills, learn new things, and so much more! This year, help us read 10 million minutes between June 1 and August 13 as a community!  

Summer Break: Read, Learn, Explore is available online.  

Summer Break includes six activities in addition to reading that help families and communities connect and learn new things. Play and Write are even Every Child Ready to Read pre-literacy skills! Also, the Queen Charlotte activity category has been added this year!  

• Read books, graphic novels, e-books or magazines, or listen to an audiobook. It all counts! 

• Create: try a new recipe, make a video, organize a space in your house or room, learn a craft or hobby. These are just a few ideas to get those creative juices flowing! 

• Explore: discover a new Library resource, find your new favorite book with our booklists, attend an online concert or play, make the time to explore your world. 

• Give: here is your opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life. Chat with a friend or family member, donate to a nonprofit, or send a food delivery to your local emergency responders; the possibilities are endless. 

• Play: ride a bike or take a walk, play a sport, take a yoga or exercise class, play a game, just have fun! 

• Write: send a card to a friend or family member, create a book list using Bibliocommons (the Library’s online catalog), attend a writing workshop with your local library.   

• Queen Charlotte: find Queen Charlotte at your local branch, visit the Queen Charlotte Walks in Her Garden statue, or take a selfie with Queen Charlotte.  

Summer Reading 

Enjoy reading this summer with a good book, graphic novel, audiobook or ebook! The Library is full of fun, engaging books. Don’t know what to read? Librarians are ready to help. There is nothing we like more than talking about books. Stop by your nearest Library for recommendations or visit our online catalog. You can also receive a personal reading list created by Library staff by filling out a Find Your Next Read form (Ages 0 – 18, Teens and Adults). 

The Library also offers a wide variety of programs: everything from storytimes and book clubs, to programs helping you plan for college and career.  

This summer, take the time to find the perfect place to read outside. Will you choose a park, a garden, your backyard, or some other amazing location? Take a picture and share on social media with the hashtags  #cmlsummerbreak, #cmlibrary 

Queen Charlotte is looking forward to participating in this year’s Summer Break, “I hope many of my royal subjects will participate in Summer Break. I’m looking forward to signing up my 15 children and reading outside in the lovely garden.” 

Comments? Questions?   

Are you having problems with the Summer Break 2022 website or your account?  Do you have questions about the program?  Feel free to chat with us online or email us at [email protected] for help or feedback.   

The 2022 Summer Break program is brought to you by Charlotte Mecklenburg Library with additional support from Wendy’s, Charlotte Football Club's Greater Goals and the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Foundation.   

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This blog was written by Whitney Lebron, children's services librarian at Steele Creek Library.

Did you know that babies, toddlers and preschoolers can join in on Summer Break too? Reading time includes time spent being read to and time spent reading to someone else. This means that parents can log reading time for everyone whether they read to or with their child! 

This summer discover the learning moments all around us. The library is here to help you get your child ready to read with simple activities every day.  

When you register your child ages 0-3 years for Summer Break, we'll give you a colorful pamphlet with ideas for learning activities and lots of great literacy tips. Some of our ideas include:  

• Draw a picture and make up a story about it. 

• Read a book together. Create voices for the characters and use your body to tell the story.  

• Take your child to storytime. 

• Talk about the beginning, middle and end of the story while reading a book.  

Learn About the Benefits of Active Reading 

Active Reading is a great way to engage with your child while you read together. The ABCs of Active Reading are:  

• A: Ask Questions. Open ended questions get kids talking. “What do you think will happen next in the story?” 
• B: Build Vocabulary. Demonstrating new words builds vocabulary. Don’t just read the word “whisper” – actually whisper.  
• C: Connect to Child’s World. Relating the story to what kids know helps them learn more about the world.  

The Summer Break program is wonderful for all ages! We have activities, book suggestions and programs for babies, children, teens and adults.  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. 

REMINDER: all libraries are closed for July 4. 

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]. 

The latest exhibit at Main Library is out of this world.  Truly.  

Earth as Art 4: A Fusion of Science and Art features colorized, infrared Landsat satellite images of Earth from creative vantage points. All the images were acquired by Landsat 8, the satellite launched by NASA in 2013, and the exhibition is on loan to the Library from NASA and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The 38-image collection will be displayed on the first and second floors at Main Library through August 31, 2019.

NASA and the USGS have been taking photos from space since the 1970s, and this ongoing record allows scientists to monitor changes over time. But they’re also stunning – by combining different wavelengths of light, some invisible to the human eye, ordinary views of clouds, mountains or rivers are transformed into museum-quality works of art.

And that’s how Earth as Art was born. In the late 1990s staff tasked with image calibration began a collection of their favorites. “Every once in a while, we’d see an image that was so amazing, so remarkable, that we started squirreling them away,” said Earth Resources Observation and Science engineer Jon Christopherson. “We wrote them to CDs back then, and it wasn’t long before we had a drawer full of spectacular images.”

The exhibit began touring worldwide in 2002 and the Library is thrilled to host it at the Main branch in Uptown for the summer. “This exhibit came about through an unexpected combination of the scientific search for geographic changes on earth, some people in an office who happened to recognize something extraordinary, the artistic application of enhancing colors and the desire to freely share knowledge about our world,” said Mimi Curlee, Librarian at Main Library. “It is truly amazing!”

Explore these masterpieces for yourself!

More information about Earth as Art 4 can be found at https://landsat.gsfc.nasa.gov/earth-as-art-4-a-fusion-of-science-and-art/.

The images are online and in the public domain, so people can download and use as they like.

https://www.usgs.gov/centers/eros/science/earth-art-4?qt-science_center_objects=7#qt-science_center_objects

The Library also has print and online resources available for checkout that contain similar images:

Earth as Art by Lawrence Friedl

Earth as Art eBook

Earth by Michael J. Carlowicz

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.