The theme of this year's National Library Week is Find Your Place at the Library. In this time of physical distancing, the theme has even greater significance.

While our physical places are closed, your Library's mission to improve lives and build a stronger community is in high gear. Online requests for new library cards have dramatically increased - 400 new accounts were activated in just the first week of the local stay-at-home order. Librarians continue to serve teachers, students and newly home-schooling families with online educational resources. Virtual programming, from storytimes and author events to online reference chat, have earned a loyal, growing following as your Library provides a sense of normalcy and community while social distancing.

We are also preparing the services that will be needed once our city reopens and we face the long-term effects of the shutdown together. Services like job help workshops, tax assistance, and guidance navigating quickly changing public policies are in place already and will ramp up as needed.

Your Charlotte Mecklenburg Library has been a part of our community for over a century. We've been through difficult periods before, and we'll weather this one together. Even with our physical locations closed, libraries continue to be inclusive hubs of community where everyone can find resources, support, and "their place" as we care for one another.

Especially in this time of uncertainty, we appreciate your support. Any amount will make an impact on this Library Giving Day.