PLCMC News Releases

Changes at Main Library will lead to Job Help Center opening in January

11/17/2009 12:00:00 AM

Contact: Cordelia Anderson, Deputy Director of Marketing & Communiations, 704-432-0712, canderson@plcmc.org November 17, 2009 (Charlotte, NC) – Important changes are coming to the Main Library as it evolves to meet twenty-first century community needs. A Job Help Center will open on the first floor of Main Library on January 21, 2010, to help serve the growing needs of job seekers and those in career transition. To prepare for the change, the Virtual Village computer lab at Main Library will close on November 18. During the time between the closing of Virtual Village and the opening of the Job Help Center, computers and staff will be redeployed throughout Main Library to serve library customers. Many of the Virtual Village computers are being moved to a computer lab on the second floor, where they will be available beginning November 18. The process of using and reserving a computer will remain the same, and staff from the Virtual Village will be available on the second floor and throughout the building to provide continuity of service. In addition, some “internet express” computers will soon be available on the first floor. During this time of transition, customers should expect increased wait times for computers at Main Library, but this is only temporary. “Every day, customers are using the Library to file for unemployment, search for jobs, create resumes, develop computer skills, and perform other tasks related to the workforce,” says Frank Blair, Director of Research, Innovation & Strategy for PLCMC. The NC Employment Security Commission reports that the most recent unemployment rate for the greater Charlotte area is 11.6%. A library user recently commented, “If it were not for your South County Regional Library, the Carmel Library and the Main Library, I believe I would still be unemployed… I could read books in my field, magazines, business journals, get DVDs, and use the Internet connections to find work and retool for my current job, which I start[ed] September 14, 2009.” In response to these community needs, the Library has developed a strategic response to leverage its 24 locations, public computers, and knowledgeable staff. The audience for this new initiative includes the newly and chronically unemployed, and first-time job market entrants, as well as small businesses in need of support. The new Job Help Center at Main Library, scheduled to open January 21, 2010, will include additional computer labs, reference resources and meeting room facilities to meet increased public demand for job support. Funding for the Job Help Center has been provided by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Mecklenburg County ABC Board, Phillip L. Van Every Foundation Board, and The Wachovia Wells Fargo Foundation. More information about the project is available at www.plcmc.org/buildingprojects. Since its founding in 1903 as a Carnegie Free Library, PLCMC has provided community service and outreach to the citizens of the Charlotte area. One of the premier libraries in the country, PLCMC has been recognized as a “Five Star” library in a national index of public library service from Library Journal and was named winner of the 2006 National Award for Library Service. The library sponsors a variety of community-based programs, from computer and Internet workshops to the award-winning Novello Festival of Reading, a celebration of the joys of reading and learning. With 24 locations, 1.4 million volumes, 79,000 DVDs, CDs and audiobooks, and a vast selection of titles available to download from the library’s web site, PLCMC is dedicated to its mission of expanding minds, empowering individuals and enriching the community. - Find out more! news release

Author Mike Thaler to appear at ImaginOn Wednesday

11/6/2009 12:00:00 AM

The Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County (PLCMC) invites children and grown ups alike to spend Wednesday morning with “America’s Riddle King”, author Mike Thaler. Thaler will be presenting at ImaginOn: The Joe & Joan Martin Center on Wednesday, Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. ImaginOn is located on 300 East Seventh Street in Charlotte. Thaler has had over 220 books published since his debut in 1961, entitled “The Magic Boy”, and his most well-loved characters can be found in “The Bully Brothers”, “Cinderella Bigfoot” and “The Teacher from the Black Lagoon”. The event is open and free to the public. Thaler’s presentation includes reading, drawing, and lessons on writing and riddling to inspire and empower kids to create their own books. For more information please contact the Library at (704) 416-4630. Since its founding in 1903 as a Carnegie Free Library, PLCMC has provided community service and outreach to the citizens of the Charlotte area. One of the premier libraries in the country, PLCMC was named winner of the 2006 National Award for Library Service. The library sponsors a variety of community-based programs, from computer and Internet workshops to the award-winning Novello Festival of Reading, a celebration of the joys of reading and learning. With 24 locations, 1.6 million volumes and 28,000 videos, DVDs and CDs, PLCMC is dedicated to its mission of expanding minds, empowering individuals and enriching the community.- Find out more! news release

Renovation begins on the Beatties Ford Road Branch Library

11/5/2009 12:00:00 AM

The Beatties Ford Road Branch of the Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County (PLCMC) is receiving a long-anticipated and much-needed facelift. The project includes complete renovation of the interior and an expansion that will help the library serve growing needs in this popular and heavily used library branch. Plans for renovating the Beatties Ford Road branch began in 2002 when the Library revised its 10-year Facilities Master Plan. Funding for the $3,970,000 renovation comes from Mecklenburg County pay-as-you-go funds, which alleviates the necessity to borrow for the project. “The Beatties Ford Road Branch Library serves more than 130,000 visitors and circulates over 125,000 items each year,” said Library Manager Irish McNair. “This library is obviously well-loved and well-used, and greatly in need of this facelift. The community is excited to see the renovation begin.” Once completed, the building will have new furnishings and an enhanced interior design. The project will include expanded space for children’s programming, a new space especially for teens, additional meeting room space for community use, more computer workstations, and inviting and welcoming reading areas. To continue serving the needs of the community, the branch will remain open during most of the renovation, operating 4 days per week. Here are some important dates of which library customers should take note:

Nov. 7: This is the last day customers will be able to select Beatties Ford Road as a pick-up location for holds. During the renovation, holds will be available for pickup at nearby Freedom Regional Library, 1230 Alleghany Street (adjoining Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology) or at the customer’s choice of any other PLCMC library.
Nov. 16: Community meetings held at 3 p.m and 7 p.m. at Beatties Ford Road to share details of the project.
Nov. 22 - Dec. 1: Beatties Ford Road Branch will be temporarily closed.
Dec. 2: The branch will reopen with limited hours and services, four days per week. (Hours during the renovation will be Wed. & Thurs. 10-7, Fri. & Sat. 9-6)
Spring 2011: Anticipated renovation completion date.

Architect for the project is Gantt-Huberman Architects of Charlotte, NC, who originally designed the building when it was constructed in 1997. Monteith Construction, based out of Monroe and Wilmington, N.C., is the contractor for the project. Renovation updates will be posted to www.plcmc.org/buildingprojects. - Find out more! news release

Call for performers, Deadline Nov. 13!

11/4/2009 12:00:00 AM

Are you an artist looking an opportunity to showcase your performance art? Does your art boast a story-based twist? Then the Global Family Story Festival Series could be just the venue you're seeking. The Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County (www.plcmc.org) in collaboration with International House seeks story-based performance groups and visual artists to appear as part of the Global Family Story Festival Series at ImaginOn (www.imaginon.org). The series includes the following celebrations on the third Saturday of each month for four consecutive months:

January 16, 2010: World of Words & Stories
February 20 , 2010: World of Dance
March 20, 2010: World of Music
April 17, 2010: World of Art

The series celebrates cultures across the globe with particular emphasis on Native American, African, Latin and Asian cultures. The events are sponsored by the Arts and Science Council with support from the North Carolina Arts Council. Artists are needed who can set up and create or perform with passing observers who might ask questions in a festival atmosphere. No travel or accommodations are provided. This opportunity is best suited to groups within the Carolinas. To apply, please fill out and return the electronic application. Deadline: Friday, November 13. Review of applications begins upon receipt. Please direct questions to: bmurray@imaginon.org. Click here for more information. Click here for the electronic application. Since its founding in 1903 as a Carnegie Free Library, PLCMC has provided community service and outreach to the citizens of the Charlotte area. One of the premier libraries in the country, PLCMC has been recognized as a “Five Star” library in a national index of public library service from Library Journal and was named winner of the 2006 National Award for Library Service. The library sponsors a variety of community-based programs, from computer and Internet workshops to the award-winning Novello Festival of Reading, a celebration of the joys of reading and learning. With 24 locations, 1.4 million volumes, 79,000 DVDs, CDs and audiobooks, and a vast selection of titles available to download from the library’s web site, PLCMC is dedicated to its mission of expanding minds, empowering individuals and enriching the community. - Find out more! news release

Popular youth author Richard Peck to appear at ImaginOn Saturday

11/2/2009 12:00:00 AM

The Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County presents Richard Peck, winner of the Newbery Award and a finalist for the National Book Award. Peck will speak at ImaginOn: The Joe & Joan Martin Center on Saturday, Nov. 7 at 3 p.m. ImaginOn is located on 300 East Seventh Street in Charlotte. Peck has written more than thirty middle grade and young adult novels. His award-winning Grandma Dowdel series includes A Long Way from Chicago, A Year Down Yonder, and his newest, A Season of Gifts. His books are much loved and are great choices for reading aloud. Richard Peck’s appearance will include a presentation, a question and answer session and a book-signing. The event is free and open to the public. Books will be available for purchase both prior to and at the event through Black Forest Books & Toys. For those unable to attend the event, but who would still like purchase a signed copy of A Season of Gifts, contact Black Forest Books and Toys at read@blackforestbooksandtoys.com or at (704) 332-4838 for details. Since its founding in 1903 as a Carnegie Free Library, PLCMC has provided community service and outreach to the citizens of the Charlotte area. One of the premier libraries in the country, PLCMC has been recognized as a “Five Star” library in a national index of public library service from Library Journal and was named winner of the 2006 National Award for Library Service. The library sponsors a variety of community-based programs, from computer and Internet workshops to the award-winning Novello Festival of Reading, a celebration of the joys of reading and learning. With 24 locations, 1.4 million volumes, 79,000 DVDs, CDs and audiobooks, and a vast selection of titles available to download from the library’s web site, PLCMC is dedicated to its mission of expanding minds, empowering individuals and enriching the community. - Find out more! news release