PLCMC News Releases

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

Digital Bookmobile Rolls into Charlotte During National Tour Event

10/28/2009 12:00:00 AM

Download experience promotes free audiobook and video download service available at Mecklenburg County Libraries.

The Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County (PLCMC) will host the Digital Bookmobile, an immersive download experience inside a 74-foot, high-tech tractor-trailer. The vehicle will be available in front of the Main Library (310 N. Tryon St.) on Wednesday, November 4 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Readers of all ages are invited to engage digital downloading through interactive demonstrations and experience PLCMC’s audiobook, eBook, music, and video download service at this free event. Library card holders can also check out and download digital titles anytime, anywhere by visiting http://downloads.plcmc.org. “With the popularity of personal technology devices, offering downloadable materials such as audiobooks and eBooks is now unquestionably a part of today’s library service,” said Charles Brown, Director of Libraries. “Since the Library introduced this format in 2005 we have witnessed increasing demand for downloadable services and are constantly adding to the collection.” The Digital Bookmobile is housed inside an 18-wheel tractor-trailer. This 74-foot community outreach vehicle is a high-tech update of the traditional bookmobile that has served communities for decades. The vehicle is equipped with broadband Internet-connected PCs, high definition monitors, premium sound systems, and a variety of portable media players, all of which help visitors explore PLCMC’s download service. Interactive learning stations give visitors an opportunity to search the library’s digital media collection, use supported mobile devices, and sample eBooks, audiobooks, music, and video. Library customers can take advantage of the download service 24/7 when they visit the library’s website. From there, they can browse the growing collection of best-selling, new release, and classic titles, and check out a digital title with a valid library card. Once downloaded, digital titles can be enjoyed on a computer or transferred to supported mobile devices. Many audio titles can also be burned to audio CD. At the end of the lending period, titles will automatically expire and are returned to the digital collection. There are never late fees or damaged items. The Digital Bookmobile is a service of PLCMC and is operated by OverDrive, Inc. To check out and download digital books and more, visit http://downloads.plcmc.org. About the Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County. 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