How to Request and Item for the Library

I've been asked a few times recently about how patrons can request items for the library to purchase.

Just click on the button for 'Catalog' in the home page's navigation bar.


On the Catalog page, below the field to enter a quick catalog search, you will find a group of other catalog related options.

In the left column, near the top, you'll see a button and link to 'Suggest a Purchase.'



Clicking there will take you to a form, asking for information about the item. The more information you have, the better we will be able to review your request.


Click here to see the form

Looking Ahead with Freedom 10/26 - 10/31

Tuesday

"Hodgepodge for Seniors" 10:30 - 11:45
- Senior Citizens are invited to participate in a literary and cultural adventure of fun. For more information, call Dot Siler at 704-416-4206.
(UPDATE: this event will not be held in the library itself. A future event for seniors will be hosted in the library.)


Wednesday

"Intro to RSS" 2- 3
- An introduction to what RSS is and how it can benefit you.

"Anime Club" 3- 4:30
- Program dedicated to increasing the awareness of Japanese animation.


Thursday

"Art NewVeau" 6- 7
- Art NewVeau is a connection venue facilitated by local artists for aspiring artists. The artists will explore various are mediums.


Saturday

"Pajama-Rama" 10- 10:30 am
- Throw on your PJs and join us for books, stories and songs. All young children are welcome.



**Early Voting is taking place in our conference room all this week, from 11 am to 7 pm

'Diary of a Wimpy Kid' author answers fans questions

Jeff Kinney, author of the 'Wimpy Kid' series has a great interview currently up on NPR's site.

Click HERE to read 'Wimpy Kid' Author Answers Kids' Questions.


The Diary of a Wimpy Kid book series began life as a web comic in 2004, before becoming a book in Spring 2007. Since, it has become on of the libraries most popular book series.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid 4; Dog Days is coming soon to the public library. Check out THIS LINK to see the book in our catalog and request your copy. Suggested reading age 9 -12.

Author Carrie Ryan visits to talk about Zombies and Writing

With her book - The Forest of Hands and Teeth


She keeps a zombie finger puppet with her.



It's not easy to keep the attention of a room full of high school students- but Carrie pulled it off!

Looking Ahead With Freedom 10/19 - 10/24

Monday

"Reel Life, Real Teens" 3:30- 4:45 pm
- Take a realistic look at the wide variety of issues teens face today and a look of how teens are portrayed in film.


Tuesday

"Author Visit: Carrie Ryan" 10:30- 11:45 am & 12:45- 2:00 pm
- Carrie Ryan speaks about writing, being an author and her book The Forest of Hands and Teeth. Be sure to check the PLCMC events page for her visits to other branches this month!

"Community Fair" 6- 8pm
- A celebration of the community and info fest of library services, the school and local businesses.


Wednesday

"Excel Basics" 2- 3:30
- A beginners' session in getting started using Microsoft Excel- the ubiquitous office spreadsheet software.

"After School is Cool" 3:30- 4
- Fun stories, finger-plays, and more for preschoolers.


Thursday

"Gaming in the Library" 2:30- 4
- This week is Board Games week. We'll be putting you to the test to see who can out checkers who. (hint: it's not me)

"Teen Advisory Council" 4- 5
- TAC is a group of teens who have the desire to create opportunities for a better world for the youth who live our community.


Friday

"Far Out Movie Night: Coraline" 3- 5
- To celebrate Teen Read Week 2009, we’ll be viewing the animated fantasy film Coraline. We’ll provide snacks! On your way out, check out a copy of Coraline by Neil Gaiman, Coraline: the Graphic Novel illustrated by P. Craig Russell, or a fantasy book of your choice!

Far Out Movie Night

To celebrate Teen Read Week 2009, we’ll be viewing the animated fantasy film Coraline.

We’ll provide snacks! On your way out, check out a copy of Coraline by Neil Gaiman, Coraline: the Graphic Novel illustrated by P. Craig Russell, or a fantasy book of your choice!


Coraline-polooza takes place Friday, October 23rd, from 3- 5 pm. You don't want to miss this!

Looking Ahead with Freedom 10/13 - 10/17

Wednesday

"Resume Basics" 2 - 3:30
- A free workshop to talk about what a resume is, and make one using Microsoft Word templates. For adults.


"Anime Club" 3 - 4:30
- The club now meets twice monthly do watch and discuss quality anime. For teens.

Chess Club

This school year, Teen Gaming on Thursdays is going to be more specific. A specific Thursday each month will be for Chess. Before, Chess was just an option for board game play, now it's on its way to Club-ville.

Chess club will meet at the regular time for gaming: 2:30 - 4 pm. The next meeting of the Chess Club will be this coming Thursday- October the 8th. After that, the next meeting will be November the 12th.

Registration is not required for Chess Club.

Looking Ahead with Freedom 10/5 - 10/10

Monday

"Parent University Class" 6- 7 pm
- Helping Your High School Student Prepare for College. Presented by CMS.


Tuesday

"Preschool Storytime" 9:30- 10 am

"Financial Freedom" 4- 5 pm
- A program that teaches and inspires responsible and effective money management and wealth building for teens.


Thursday

"Preschool Storytime" 9:30- 10 am

"Teen Gaming" 2:30- 4 pm
- Are you the next Bobby Fischer? Join our new chess club and test your skills every month!

"Art NewVeau" 6- 7 pm
- Art NewVeau is a connection venue facilitated by local artists for aspiring artists. The artists will explore various are mediums.



**Don't forget, all Library locations will be closed on Monday, October 12.**

Closing the Digital Divide

Super Huge Awesome News:

Yesterday, the Public Library of Charlotte held a press conference to receive a grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.

How awesome is this grant? It's the largest foundation grant in the Library’s history. It will be used to improve technology access and help residents conduct job searches. This gift will impact the Main, ImaginOn, Freedom Regional and Mountain Island libraries.

That's right- Freedom is getting a part of this pie to help us improve technology and related resources.

If you listen to as much public radio as I do, you've probably heard of the Knight Foundation before. The Knight Foundation is a national group with local chapters that seeks opportunities to advance journalism and communities. Their generous organization has been doing great things to help communities and bring resources to close the "digital divide." Charlotte wasn't even the only library system they gave a grant to yesterday!

A grant was also given to the Leon County Public Library System in Tallahassee, Tenn. That grant will nearly double the amount of computers at its branches – significantly expanding residents’ access to the Internet.

If I may editorialize for a moment, as more and more information moves to a digital format, public libraries are becoming more indispensable. The library is becoming a place for many to gain access to the world wide web, and more many others to decode it's mystery. Just because information is on the web, does not mean that a majority of people are able to find it or make use of it.

Here at the Freedom Library, I like to think we do a great job of offering classes to prepare people for successful computer and internet use. With this grant, I feel we will be able to improve our services, and stay current with what job markets expect.


The press conference was held at 9 am @ Imaginon. Read the official PLCMC news release here.