The Living Archives: A Legacy for Charlotte Charlotte Mecklenburg Library acted as the convener, project lead, and ultimate home for a project that told the emotional stories of COVID-19. The Living Archives project diligently sought to collect, preserve, and share the challenges and triumphs that Mecklenburg County residents experienced during the pandemic. Founded by the Library, Center for Documentary Studies at Duke University, Johnson C. Smith University, and the Levine Museum of the New South, the project engaged over 2,500 individuals. It concentrated on the stories of historically marginalized communities and identified key demographic groups including students, the elderly, families, immigrants, veterans, essential workers, and other people and professions that suffered the most under the shutdown. Seventeen community organizations collaborated with the Living Archives and collected over 436 stories through various media – primarily audio- visual, but also poetry, creative, and written works – in English or Spanish. The stories reflected Mecklenburg County’s demographics and were showcased through a traveling exhibit; a dedicated YouTube channel; and community events and programming, including a mural. The collected narratives are now preserved in CML’s Robinson- Spangler Carolina Room. The initiative was funded by The Duke Endowment, Mellon Foundation, NC Humanities, Digital Public Library of America, and Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Foundation.
Novant Health Wellness Hub Powerful Partnerships Through a strategic social determinants of health, advance health equity, and to initiate a sustainable impact across our communities. In this collaboration, Novant Health Community Health Services is establishing trusted relationships with Library customers with dedicated hours at three Library branches: Allegra Westbrooks, Hickory Grove and West Boulevard. The programming and services include health screenings and immunizations via the mobile medical unit, as well as various health education programs. Both organizations are considering more Library locations as wellness hubs. DigiLit + AARP Through partnerships with organizations such as AARP and the Center for Digital Equity, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library offers a variety of free digital literacy partnership with Novant Health, we aim to address programs for both beginners and those looking to enhance their technology skills. Classes are offered online and at select Library locations. In FY2024, the Library’s Tech Titans 50+ program helped nearly 650 older adults learn valuable digital skills and gain technological independence. Hundreds of seniors have attended the program.
Taking a Strategic Approach
CML has taken a bold step to charting a new path for the organization. The Library is developing a new strategic direction that will inform the work it will do in FY2026-2028 to help achieve its mission. First the Library received feedback from 4,000 people within the community, including staff, about what they want and need from Charlotte Mecklenburg Library. CML learned that the public wants a library that is a gathering place for the entire community that provides access to a wide range of materials, programs, and resources. The Library intends to complete the strategic direction plan in FY2025.
in Uptown Charlotte until the new Main Library is open. CML funded electronic resources and digital collections to serve high-need populations, with an emphasis on Spanish language resources. The Library also improved its digital literacy program and contracted instructors to deliver classes in English and Spanish. Equity, Inclusion & Intellectual Freedom Charlotte Mecklenburg Library is focused on improving and enhancing Library operations and practices as they relate to equity and inclusion. Becoming more equitable and inclusive across the system demonstrates the Library’s commitment to continued growth as a 21st century library. Leading with an equity lens helps the Library recruit and retain staff that represent the communities CML serves and provides the ability to offer programming that celebrates the widely diverse population of Mecklenburg County. The Library’s dedication to equity and inclusion is supported by its commitment to intellectual freedom. In FY2024, CML’s board of trustees crafted a statement that exhibits the Library’s unwavering support of the role and value of public libraries. It is crucial that all citizens have open access to materials, information and resources of varying viewpoints so that they can decide for themselves what corresponds to their needs and beliefs.
Closing the Digital Divide
Early Voting Site
The Library has been providing its locations as early voting sites for more than 20 years. This first came about when the Mecklenburg County Board
In January 2023 the Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners awarded Charlotte Mecklenburg Library $2.9 million in American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA) funding to help advance Mecklenburg County’s COVID-19 Strategic Recovery Plan. The Library task was to help close the digital divide in our community more quickly. CML used ARPA funds to increase the community’s access to technology – focusing on older adults, the Latino community, and those seeking jobs or skills that will help them advance their career. In FY2024 the Library purchased an additional outreach vehicle, called the Mobile Internet Lab or MiLa. MiLa will provide technology and workforce development programs for adults. It will also supplement digital literacy and workforce services during Library closures and provide those services
of Elections began early voting in 2001. Quickly, the Library became a popular place for the community to vote before Election Day. Early voting is important to CML as it allows the Library to be a part of a vital civic event that greatly impacts the community. Partnering with the Board of Elections also enables CML to support the community by making the act of voting more approachable and accessible.
Intellectual Freedom Statement Charlotte Mecklenburg Library is committed to protecting the First Amendment’s guarantee of free and open access to information and ideas – a principle vital to our democracy and to each individual’s search for knowledge. We seek to provide our diverse community with a comprehensive collection of materials and programs providing a wide range of knowledge and perspectives.
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