Written by Maggie Bean, Library Foundation Communications Director

As we bid farewell to another year, it’s time to unveil what our customers checked out the most in 2023 starting with the top circulator in each genre:

Best in Genre

Fiction
Verity by Colleen Hoover

Nonfiction
Spare by Prince Harry

Children
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Diper Överlöde by Jeff Kinney

YA
The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han

Audiobook
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

Libby by Overdrive Magazine
The New Yorker

Top Five in Genre

Fiction

1. Verity by Colleen Hoover
2. Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
3. Happy Place by Emily Henry
4. It Starts With Us by Colleen Hoover
5. It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover

Nonfiction

1. Spare by Prince Harry
2. I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jeannette McCurdy
3. Maybe You Should Talk To Someone: A Therapist, HER Therapist, and Our Lives Revealed by Lori Gottlieb
4. Atomic Habits by James Clear
5. Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing: A Memoir by Matthew Perry

Children’s

1. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Diper Överlöde by Jeff Kinney
2. The Pigeon Will Ride the Roller Coaster! By Mo Willems
3. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: No Brainer by Jeff Kinney
4. Pete the Cat Plays Hide-and-Seek by Kimberly & James Dean
5. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Old School by Jeff Kinney

Young Adult

1. The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han
2. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
3. It’s Not Summer Without You by Jenny Han
4. The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins
5. We’ll Always Have Summer by Jenny Han

Audiobook

1. Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
2. Spare by Prince Harry
3. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
4. The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese
5. I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jeannette McCurdy

Libby by Overdrive Magazines

1. The New Yorker
2. US Weekly
3. Prevention
4. The Week Magazine
5. HGTV Magazine

Written by Randi Smith, South County Regional Library

Each morning as the South County Regional Library branch opens, patrons make their way through the building finding places to sit and work, browsing collections, and utilizing public computers and resources. Some of these patrons are here nearly every day, walking by our brightly decorated room and silently wondering: What exactly IS a Makerspace?

If you are one of those patrons, at South County or any other branch, or if you just happened across this post and find yourself asking the same question, you’ve come to the right place!

A Makerspace is a dedicated space for creativity and innovation. We utilize equipment and resources to get creative and bring your ideas to life! The possibilities are truly endless; from 3D printing prototypes to making personalized gifts, to designing t-shirts for your small business or recreational sports team, Makerspaces exist to create equitable access to resources and empower the community to create and innovate!

You can find dedicated Makerspace Studios at South County Regional, SouthPark Regional, North County Regional, and ImaginOn; although you can find makerspace programming at many more branches! Each Makerspace Studio features 3D Printers, Vinyl Cutters, Heat Presses, and Sewing Machines. Additionally, South County Regional also houses an Epilog Laser Cutter that can cut and engrave wood, North County Regional has a Button Maker, Cricut, and Embroidery Machine, and ImaginOn features a production studio.

If you want to start creating, contact the Makerspace at your preferred branch and ask about how to get started! South County Regional has one-on-one appointments available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays as well as various monthly guided workshops! You can tour the South County Makerspace every Wednesday from 1:00 – 3:00 PM or make an appointment at picktime.com/sormakerspace. 

Charlotte Mecklenburg Library’s construction of the future University City Regional Library location is now underway with an anticipated completion time in 2025. While poor weather conditions caused the groundbreaking event to be canceled, the project continues to move forward.

The University City branch is one of the most visited libraries in the CML system. Last fiscal year, it circulated nearly 300,000 materials and hosted over 15,000 customers in its programs.

The new facility will be located less than a mile from the current facility on Waters Edge Village Drive in the new Waters Edge development along JW Clay Boulevard.

“This new facility has the customer in mind with generous spaces for dedicated program areas, a large community room, new and ample technology, and flexible meeting spaces, along with comfortable individual and group-size reading and study spaces,” Library CEO Marcellus Turner said.   

Mecklenburg County approved a $39.6 million capital ordinance for the project in 2022, which allows the Library to purchase the land, building and various needs such as furniture, fixtures, equipment and technology necessary to open to the public.

For more information on the University City Regional Library Project, visit here.

Learn2Earn is back and better than ever! The Library is expanding this program in continued partnership with the City of Charlotte. We are moving to an in-person format, adding additional branches to the mix, and using Northstar curriculum to incorporate the learning circle model. Here's what you need to know:

Program Requirements: 

• 18 years or older 

• Charlotte resident

• Must be present for orientation and complete all program components to receive a computer

Locations, Dates & Times: 

• West Boulevard 

  • Saturdays at 10:00am  

  • February 10 – March 23 

• Allegra Westbrooks Regional 

  • Tuesdays at 11:00am

  • February 13 – March 26 

• Hickory Grove  

  • Wednesdays at 10:00am 

  • February 14 – March 27 

• Sugar Creek 

  • Thursdays at 10:30am 

  • February 15 – March 28 

Series Topics: 

• Basic Computer Skills  

• Internet Basics  

• Using Email  

• Microsoft Word  

• Microsoft Excel  

• Resume & Interview Tips  

• CML Career Resources   

Registration Starts:  Monday, January 22 

ImaginOn hosts PuppetPalooza on Feb. 3 from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. PuppetPalooza is a celebration featuring live shows, roving performances and hands-on activities that showcase the diverse and captivating art of puppetry.

This is a free, family-friendly event for all ages presented by Charlotte Mecklenburg Library and Sigmon Theatrical. Featuring a live dinosaur show, a story about Pinocchio, early literacy skills activities, music-filled shows and so much more, PuppetPalooza is a can’t-miss event.

Featured artists include the Center for Puppetry Arts, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Frontline Puppeteers, Children's Theatre of Charlotte, Grey Seal Puppets, Jeghetto Entertainment, The Lurnsters, Ms. Melanie Puppetry and Sigmon Theatrical.

For more information, including a full schedule of events, visit sigmontheatrical.com/puppetpalooza.

Charlotte Mecklenburg Library celebrates Black History Month throughout February with various programs, events and booklists. Below are some ways the community can learn more about the month, and participate in discussions, author meetups and storytimes.

Featured Programs & Events:

Black Genealogy: Moving Beyond the 1870 Census

Thursday, Feb. 15 at 6 p.m.

Mountain Island Library

Celebrate Black History Month at Mountain Island Library with an exciting program presented by Danielle Pritchett, Genealogy Librarian at the Robinson-Spangler Carolina Room. Unlock the secrets of African American genealogy with this presentation, navigating the challenges of tracing enslaved or free ancestors. Learn more and register at https://cmlibrary.bibliocommons.com/events/659f0b19efc0293a006c1556.

National African American Read-In Celebration

Saturday, Feb. 17 at 11 a.m.

Sugar Creek Charter School

Join the Library on Feb. 17 from 11am-1:30pm for its annual National African American Read-In celebration at Sugar Creek Charter School! This year, our theme is "Celebrating Literacy Through the Arts." Learn more at https://cmlibrary.bibliocommons.com/events/6408be94bf76ba2900ce4c0d.

Meet Author: ReShonda Tate

Saturday, Feb. 24 at 5:30 p.m.

Hickory Grove Library

Hickory Grove Public Library welcomes Bestselling author ReShonda Tate. As the national bestselling author of more than fifty books, ReShonda Tate has the credentials, and the passion, to bring stories to life. Learn more and register at https://cmlibrary.bibliocommons.com/events/659c329fbf3fd82800d7d0f0.

Black History Month Programs & Events: https://cmlibrary.bibliocommons.com/v2/events?q=Black%20History%20Month&startDate=2024-02-01&endDate=2024-02-29

Black History Month Booklist: https://cmlibrary.bibliocommons.com/list/share/2270138969/2452220219

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.