August 25, 2008 (Charlotte, NC) – The Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County (PLCMC) recently completed changing telephone and fax numbers at all 24 library locations as part of a changeover to Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phone service that started about a year ago.

A list of frequently called numbers for the library is provided below.

Communications Manager Sarah Poole explains the need for the change: “The PLCMC library system has branches throughout Mecklenburg County, which means we have been operating with several phone service providers. The change in telephone numbers was made necessary in order to operate under one voice mail and data system, namely VoIP. This system is more cost effective, and it allows library staff to easily transfer calls between locations to provide the best possible service to our users.”

To help in the transition, frequently published numbers for the branches will roll over to the new numbers for several months. Members of the public who conduct regular business with a specialty department of the library may need to relearn some numbers, but callers who are uncertain of a new number may dial the library’s telephone reference line at (704) 416-0101 with questions. Public awareness of the new numbers is also being conducted through PLCMC’s Web site (www.plcmc.org) and print publicity.

With the changeover to the new telephone numbers, callers to larger library locations now will be greeted by a recording that offers callers the option to either renew items using the automated telephone renewal service or be connected to library staff in a specific area within the library, such as the children’s area. “We understand that this change may be an adjustment for some of our regular callers,” Poole says, “but it is our hope that this enhancement will help direct callers to a library employee in the area of their need as quickly as possible. The good news is that you can still reach a human being with only one press of the button.”

PLCMC worked with Professional Network Consultants and Time Warner Telecom to develop a solution that allows the library to be its own telephone service provider using a digital phone system. The library purchased the “416” telephone prefix (704-416-xxxx) from Time Warner. The telephone numbers for the library spaces at ImaginOn will remain unaffected for now. The library plans to change these numbers in 2009. The numbers for the Children’s Theatre of Charlotte, which is located at ImaginOn, will not change.

FREQUENTLY CALLED NUMBERS FOR THE PUBLIC LIBRARY OF CHARLOTTE & MECKLENBURG COUNTY
www.plcmc.org

CENTRAL SERVICES:
Automated Telephone Renewal: 704 416-0100 (option 2)
Information/Telephone Reference: 704 416-0101
Administrative Offices: 704 416-0600

MAIN LIBRARY SERVICES:
310 N Tryon St
General Information: 704 416-0100
Information/Telephone Reference: 704 416-0101
Local History/Genealogy: 704 416-0150
Meeting Room Reservations: 704 416-0600
Virtual Village Technology Center: 704 416-0500

BRANCH LIBRARIES:
Beatties Ford Road - 2412 Beatties Ford Rd: 704 416-3000

Belmont Center - 700 Parkwood Ave: 704 416-3200

Carmel - 6624 Walsh Blvd: 704 416-3400

Checkit Outlet - 435 S Tryon St Suite 110: 704 416-3600

Cornelius - 21105 Catawba Ave, Cornelius: 704 416-3800

Davidson - 119 S Main St, Davidson: 704 416-4000

Freedom Regional - 1230 Alleghany St: 704 416-4200

Hickory Grove - 7209 East W T Harris Blvd: 704 416-4400

ImaginOn: The Joe and Joan Martin Center (the numbers for these library spaces at ImaginOn have not changed) - 300 E 7th St Charlotte NC: 704 973-2700
Spangler Children’s Library: 704 973-2720
Teen Loft Library: 704 973-2728
Tech Central: 704 973-2727
Gift Shop: 704 973-2786
Check-Out/Return/Overdues: 704 973-2707

Independence Regional - 6000 Conference Dr: 704 416-4800

Matthews - 230 Matthews Station St: 704 416-5000

Mint Hill - 6840 Matthews Mint Hill Rd: 704 416-5200

Morrison Regional - 7015 Morrison Blvd: 704 416-5400

Mountain Island - 4420 Hoyt Galvin Way: 704 416-5600

Myers Park - 1361 Queens Rd: 704 416-5800

North County Regional - 16500 Holly Crest Ln, Huntersville: 704 416-6000

Plaza Midwood - 1623 Central Ave: 704 416-6200

Scaleybark - 101 Scaleybark Rd: 704 416-6400

South County Regional - 5801 Rea Rd: 704 416-6600

Steele Creek - 13620 Steele Creek Rd: 704 416-6800

Sugar Creek - 4045 N Tryon St: 704 416-7000

University City Regional - 301 East W T Harris Blvd: 704 416-7200

West Boulevard - 2157 West Blvd: 704 416-7400