Embracing Our Strengths Through Major Initiatives
There is something for everyone at the Library. CML initiatives help children, teens, and adults access information, expand their love of reading, and engage with the community.
A Community That Reads Together
One Number Equals Access
Take the Summer Break Challenge Summer Break is the Library’s annual summer learning program that encourages children to read, learn, and explore. Participants who completed activities from the Summer Break Challenge earned badges and were eligible for prizes like free books and tickets to Carowinds and a Charlotte Football Club match. In 2024, the community read over 9.5 million minutes and logged over 66,000 activities. Welcome PuppetPalooza Sometimes fun and unconventional methods are needed to improve lives and instill a love of learning. In February 2024, CML hosted its first PuppetPalooza at nationally-renowned children’s library ImaginOn. The event was a celebration showcasing the diverse and captivating art of puppetry. This free event for all ages was presented in partnership with Sigmon Theatrical and featured a live dinosaur show, early literacy skills activities, music-filled shows, and more.
Helping the Library Help the Community Year after year, Library volunteers provide thousands of hours annually to help the Library fulfill its mission. In FY2024, CML had 1,235 volunteers provide more than 27,000 hours of service. These hours are not merely numerical figures; they represent tangible impacts that have touched countless lives. Navigating technology, nurturing literary skills, shelving books, prepping for book sales, and stocking Little Free Libraries across Mecklenburg County are just a few of the things CML volunteers do. These volunteers include a special group called VolunTeens. They are responsible young adults – ages 13-17 – who enjoy giving back and helping the Library deliver collections, programs, and resources to the community. They earn service hours and learn more about a possible career at the Library through hands-on experience. The Library is fortunate that so many make the organization a priority when deciding where to give their time. The Library brings the community together. Every March, CML hosts Community Read where the organization provides a signature title and a few supporting titles related to a specific theme. The community joins in by reading the title together and participates in discussions, book clubs and events hosted by the Library and community partners. The 2024 theme was “Food as a Connector” featuring the signature title Buttermilk Graffiti by Edward Lee. There were 233 systemwide programs for all age groups throughout the month. The Library coupled the community read with a partnership to help connect people to food resources. Food insecurity is prevalent and partnering with the Hope Street Food Pantry allowed the Library to support and meet a pertinent need in communities across Mecklenburg County. The Library facilitated food distribution events at eight Library branches and served more than 1,000 families.
ONE Access allows students in local colleges, charter and private schools, home schools, and Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools to have access to Library resources with their school identification numbers instead of separate Library cards. More than 76,000 students used their ONE Access account during the 2023-2024 school year. Reading Is EPIC Fun EpicFest is an extraordinary, free literary festival that connects children, teens, and families with books and the people who write them. The joyful event provides activities that encourage a love of reading and learning. Now in its seventh year, EpicFest welcomes nationally recognized children’s and young adult authors and illustrators to spend two days in Charlotte sharing their latest books, experiences, and passion for libraries with kids of all ages. In FY2024, EpicFest reached 4,785 people, an almost 2,000 person increase over FY2023.
EpicFest
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