By our Smarty friends at the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library
Libraries are more about doing than borrowing – more about connecting than simply plugging in – and your local librarian is your expert guide. Whether you want to get involved in your community, find a job, get smart about money, or build your digital literacy skills, your library is the key to your transformation.
National Library Week is celebrated nationally April 9-15, but we’re celebrating all month long with hundreds of free programs and a special book drive for kids in partnership with WAXN-TV.
Experience the transformative power of libraries. Then share your story with us.
1. Find your FUN-spiration!
Science is all around us—and it’s so much fun! Join us now through April 23 for special programs that are part of this year’s official NC Science Festival, a statewide two-week celebration of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Participate in events for children, teens and adults, such as Legos, plant and sea life, coding, The Great Egg Drop Challenge, robotics, Rookie Science, technology and more!
2. Join us in April for Día, a celebration of children, reading and culture.
This year’s Día theme is “Around the World in Thirty Days.” Children and families are invited to celebrate different cultures at special events taking place in branches during the month of April, culminating in a free, grand finale celebration at ImaginOn on April 29, featuring celebrated author and illustrator Angela Dominguez.
3. April is National Poetry Month.
The Library can help you learn more about poetry as an integral part of our culture, introduce you to poetry you’ve never read, expose you to the work of local poets who participate in our poetry events, or, if you’ve never been a fan or given poetry much thought, we can help you develop an appreciation. See what we have planned.
4. Spring cleaning? Donate books for kids.
More books in a child’s home leads to higher reading scores, better academic performance and results in greater opportunities in life. That is why the Library has partnered with WAXN-TV to collect new and gently-used children’s and teen books through the 64U Books for Kids book drive. Your well-loved books can make a world of difference to a child. To find out where to donate or how to get involved, visit 64UBooksforKids.com.
5. Have fun and gain new skills this summer as a VolunTeen or Satellite Studio Intern.
The Library is searching for VolunTeens and Satellite Studio Interns for the summer. We are looking for responsible teens ages 13-17 who enjoy working with the public, helping others, and giving back to their community. Don’t delay! Library branches will accept summer volunteer applications from April 1 – 30, or until the branch reaches capacity, whichever comes first.
6. Teens, here’s how to land that job.
Are you considering a summer job, hoping for an internship or planning your career? The Library is hosting a series of Job Seeking for Teens workshops throughout April and May to help you prepare for that all-important interview.
7. Get smart about your money during Money Smart Week.
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library is joining libraries and financial institutions across the country in Money Smart Week, April 22-29, with the aim of helping everyone get smart about their personal finances. Visit your library for financial-themed storytimes for children and free personal finance programs for adults.
8. Sometimes music is just what you need.
Did you know you can enjoy free music with your library card? Your card gives you access to Freegal, where you can discover, download and stream more than 11 million songs. Charlotte Mecklenburg Library customers get 5 free downloads and 3 hours of streaming each week. Once downloaded, the songs are yours to keep!
9. Gain reading confidence with Paws to Read or Reading Buddies.
Have you ever read a story to a golden retriever? Or shared a picture book with a beagle? That’s the experience many children are having with an innovative program called “Paws to Read” offered at the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library. It’s the beginning step in turning reluctant readers into confident readers. Once a child builds more confidence, they may feel ready to move into the Reading Buddies program, also offered at the Library. Here’s how the two programs work, and why it matters.
10. Let’s get digital!
When it comes to computers and the internet, do you or someone you know feel left behind? Being able to use computers and get online makes life a lot simpler. You can use the internet to stay in touch, pay the bills, find a job, and stay healthy. The list is endless!
Let’s get digital! Join us to learn the basics of how to use computers and get online, in a safe, supportive atmosphere. Our DigiLit courses are designed to help you use the internet to do things that benefit you in your daily life. Visit the Library to learn more about DigiLit and how you can get digitally fit today.
11. Know how much we appreciate our volunteers.
In the last year, more than 1,300 volunteers donated 59,000 hours of their time to support our Library – valued at more than $1.3 million in donated services! The Library is very fortunate to have so many dedicated volunteers helping us create a more educated community. It’s a big job but a rewarding opportunity. We don’t think it’s a coincidence that National Library Week and National Volunteer Week fall in the same month. Libraries transform lives, and it’s in large part because of our volunteers. Thank you! Learn more about our volunteer program here.
12. Save the gift, keep the deduction!
Are you a person who has everything? Give your friends and family a break from shopping this year and pledge your birthday! Instead of gifts for you, invite your friends to make a gift to the Library Foundation. Their gift will provide free access to a world of resources for our community. And it’s easy to do and tax-deductible! We’ll take care of all the details…except the cake. You’ll still get to eat the cake yourself! Find out how to pledge your birthday.
These are just a few of the many things your library has to offer in April! Find much more at cmlibrary.org.
