Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County

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The Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County (PLCMC), is the public library system of the city of Charlotte and County of Mecklenburg in North Carolina

1 About
2 Services
3 Awards
4 Branches
5 Gallery

[edit] About

The roots of the Public Library of Charlotte Mecklenburg County can be traced to 1891 when the Charlotte Literary and Library Association was organized.

In 1901, philanthropist Andrew Carnegie agreed to donate $25,000 for a library building for Charlotte if the city would furnish a site and taxes to support operations. The tax was approved by vote of citizens on May 6, 1901. The building, with an imposing classical facade, was dedicated and opened to the public on July 2, 1903 in the 300 block of North Tryon Street.

In the last years of the 20th century, the library system grew to over 20 locations (including five regional libraries offering expanded services) serving people in neighborhoods and towns across the county. From a grand total of 2,526 books when the Carnegie library opened in 1903, today's library system contains over 1.5 million adult and children's classics, favorite paperbacks, modern bestsellers, videos, CDs and DVDs, with over 500 employees countywide helping to make information available to virtually anyone who wants it. As the county and region grows, the Library reaches out in traditional and new ways.

[edit] Services

The Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County offers a variety of programs to serve the growing population of Charlotte. The Think College and Career Centerprovides students free assistance with applying for college and searching for financial aid. TheWorld Language Centerhas a variety of self-instructional language programs, as well as materials written in foreign languages. PLCMC has a thriving gaming program, where patrons can play board, laptop, and console games against each other. Many branches offer computer classes free of charge. The library participates in the Bizhub network, which provides assistance to small businesses in the Charlotte region.

[edit] Awards

IMLS Received 2006 Award for Extraordinary Public Service from the Institute of Museum and Library Services

[edit] Branches

There are twenty-four branches in the system. All branches have free Wifi access and internet computers.

[edit] The Main Library

The Main Library[1] is located in uptown Charlotte at 310 North Tryon Street. The original classical building was razed in 1954 and a modern one was constructed. This building was extensively remodeled in the 1980s and currently serves as the hub of library activities throughout Mecklenburg County.

Located centrally uptown in the heart of Charlotte's Arts & Education district, the Main Library offers a multitude of services, materials and programs, and it supports the activities of the library system's twenty-four branch locations and outreach services.