By our Smarty friends at the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library
You all know that Charlotte Mecklenburg Library has an abundance of amazing programs and services for your children – early literacy programs, storytimes, books galore – but we hope you also know that libraries are also for the Moms.
Here are just a few ways the Library can help you with family needs, career planning and some fun just for you!
1. Book Clubs
Whether you already have one, or would like to join one, the Library has you covered.
Books on hoopla are instantly available, allowing your book club to select a book, download it and get reading right away. Try out titles like American Marriage (e-book or e-audiobook) by Tayari Jones, The End We Start From (e-book) by Megan Hunter or A Man Called Ove (e-audiobook) by Fredrik Backman.
Check out the many book clubs offered at library locations across the county too!
2. Healthy Living
No time to make it to the gym? No worries! Check out (no pun intended) the Library’s DVD collection to find 5 Day Yoga, Killer Arms & Back by Jillian Michaels, Leslie Sansone’s Just Walk and many more workouts you can do on your schedule, in your home.
Or try a new cookbook that offers healthy and quick weeknight meals like Better Homes and Gardens Make Ahead Meals, Make-Ahead Meals Made Healthy and 365 30-minute Meals all available instantly, and for a 21-day lending period on hoopla. Take home Food52 A New Way to do Dinner for planning, shopping and cooking inspiration.
3. Family Movie Night
Make family movie night even more fun and stress free by borrowing movies from the Library. Did we mention most movies are free? Search the catalog for “Disney” and filter by DVDs to find the amazing titles available for your family to enjoy. Or if you don’t know what you are in the mood for, simply choose the DVD filter and see all available DVDs in one place.
Forgot to pick out a movie and need to find something fast? hoopla movies are instantly available and can be cast to smart TVs via Chromecast – compatible on both Android and iOS devices. Movies can even be downloaded and watched later – without the need for Wi-Fi – if you are traveling in a car or plane.
And, of course, titles are available for Moms to binge-watch on their own too!
4. Financial Planning
The Library partners with Bank of America to offer many financial planning programs. Free programs like Building an Effective Emergency Fund, How to Minimize Debt, Managing Your Credit and Saving for Larger Purchases can help you get a better grip on your family’s finances, without adding to your budget.
5. Learn a Language
Use Mango Languages – a language-learning software available free with your library card – to learn more than 70 world languages. Mango also offers 17 ESL/ELL courses, featuring voice comparison, foreign language films and cultural anecdotes.
The Library also offers English Tutoring – 1-on-1 ESL sessions for Moms (and anyone else) interested in learning English.
6. Free Music
Download 5 free songs or stream music for 3 hours each week with Freegal Music. Whether you need a new playlist for your run club or just want to jam out to 90s pop in the car pool line, you’ll find more than 10 million songs, including Sony Music’s catalog of legendary artists with Freegal.
Whether you’re headed to storytime with a toddler in tow, picking up your teen from an after school program or just running in to pick up some holds – don’t forget that the Library has many offerings for your enjoyment.
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library wishes you all a wonderful Mother’s Day!
