By Smarty Guest blogger, Melanie Baron, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library
Followers of Charlotte Smarty Pants surely know already that ImaginOn: The Joe & Joan Martin Center is home to Charlotte Mecklenburg Library and Children’s Theatre of Charlotte…but do you know ImaginOn’s story?
ImaginOn is a true collaboration between the Library and Children’s Theatre. The partners share a way-cool building, but they are much more than roommates. They also share a programmatic mission: bringing stories to life. What does this mean? That two individually amazing organizations are even better together!
Because of the partnership, costumed actors might drop by a storytime. Stage set pieces move into the lobby and become exhibits. The Children’s Theatre production team asks librarians which titles are trending for kids and teens and translate them to the stage. Librarians prepare booklists for Theatre programs. And so much more.
Everyone at ImaginOn is part of the collaboration, but there is a small group of “shared” staff for whom partnership is a full time job. These folks report to both the Library manager and the Theatre executive director, and they look for ways the two can enhance each other’s programming, integrate all the logistics of a visit to ImaginOn, and always advocate for the partnership.
This year is ImaginOn’s tenth anniversary, and you’re invited to celebrate! Every month through May, we’re hosting a themed Super Saturday chock-full of activities that celebrate the connections we build from the page to the stage, and everywhere in between. This month’s theme is Journey to Oz and February 13 is the big day. Leading up to each Super Saturday, you can show off your ImaginOn knowledge with ten days of fun and games on ImaginOn’s Facebook page. Daily challenge winners will be entered into a drawing for a prize bundle awarded on Super Saturday.
These are just the beginning, follow along on Facebook for even more anniversary surprises!
