Library at Home
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library
Innovation Synopsis
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library partners with the local public access television station to air library programs in English and Spanish for children and adults. This service gives access to customers who can't use our physical location or connect to our digital platforms.
Challenge/Opportunity
According to Digital Charlotte, almost 56,000 households have no internet access. AARP and other resources report the increase in social isolation due to the pandemic. Both of these factors impact customers visiting our physical building and/or taking advantage of our digital services. The Library at Home programs allow customers to connect to library resources and programs in English and Spanish, bringing access to educational opportunities.
Key Elements of Innovation
Library at Home provides educational and entertaining preschool programs. These programs are designed to help families who can't use our facilities or connect digitally, gain early literacy skills to help them enter school ready to learn. The program also supports adults by providing educational programs and connecting viewers with library and community resources.
Achieved Outcomes
1) Expand library programs to reach customers with challenges visiting our locations or connecting to digital programs and services. 2) Create innovative opportunities to reach customers who don't speak Spanish as their first language.