ImaginOn: The Joe & Joan Martin Center

Calling all nature lovers! Join CMLibrary in partnership with Catawba Lands Conservancy on Thursday, June 4th, 6:00-7:30 pm, for a fun evening of trivia, ice cream, and prizes at the 7th Street Market! This event is open to older teens and new adults, ages 16 to 24, who are environmental enthusiasts or just curious minds looking to meet others and learn more about the local sustainability community and opportunities.

Participants will have the opportunity to play trivia based on local and regional nature and conservation, enjoy a free scoop of ice cream provided by our partners and 7th Street Vendor, The Social Cow, win giveaways from CLC and the Library, and learn about local organizations like Catawba Lands Conservancy, The Carolina Thread Trail, Black Girl Environmentalist, and many more.

Spaces are limited, and registration is required. This program will be provided by ImaginOn and Founders Hall staff members, Tiana H. and Kristin R., and is intended and best suited for ages 16-24. Adults older than 24 are welcome.

Special Guests Include:
Rani Greer of Catawba Lands Conservancy/Carolina Thread Trail (Davidson Fellow)
Maya Espinosa of Black Girl Environmentalist CLT (Hub Leader)
Springclean Global

Nature lovers unite!

See what's happening for ages 0-11 @ ImaginOn in June! 🌞

Get ready to blast off into a summer of imagination at the “Universe of Stories” Summer Reading Blast Off @ ImaginOn on Saturday, June 13 from 11 AM–3 PM! 🚀 ✨ 🌌

Families will explore an action-packed galaxy of hands-on activities, live entertainment, space-themed crafts, robotics, games, giveaways, and unforgettable experiences with incredible community partners including Discovery Place and Life Is Sweet candy store. From cosmic obstacle courses and glow parties to NASA-inspired experiences and Summer Reading registration, this immersive event is designed to spark curiosity, creativity, and excitement for readers of all ages.

Don’t miss Charlotte’s ultimate family summer launch event. Your Summer Reading adventure begins here! https://bit.ly/4wRhZfM

Looking for a fun OUT OF THIS WORLD activity for your students?

Help your camp or youth group enjoy a 'Universe of Stories' this summer with a Group Visit at ImaginOn! Whether they’re enjoying a library program, diving into a new graphic novel, or exploring our interactive exhibit, there’s no better place to spark a child's imagination.

Best for: Preschool and K-12 Camps, Daycares, and Youth Groups.

The Perks: Programming, interactive play areas, teen-exclusive spaces, and thousands of stories waiting to be discovered!

Interested in bringing your group by? Groups must register HERE: https://www.imaginon.org/calendar/group-visits.

More information about Group Visits can be found at https://www.imaginon.org/group-visit-information

All Library locations and book drops will be closed on Monday, May 26 in observance of Memorial Day.

Our courtyard pollinator garden is looking bee-autiful! 🌻 Yesterday was World Bee Day! We hope you saw some cute & fuzzy pollinators 🐝

Join us for our May Puppet Show on 5/27 @ 11:30! No registration required, space is limited.
https://bit.ly/49tICgy

Earn your green thumb this spring at ImaginOn!

Pre-teens and teens ages 9-18, join us Thursday, May 21st, from 3:00 to 4:00 pm for our monthly community garden cleanup day! The ImaginOn courtyard is a public community space featuring our newest edition of a native pollinator garden in partnership with Catawba Lands Conservancy. This monthly program offers pre-teens and teens a chance to give back and become stewards of nature.

This month, help us lay down new mulch, feed our nesting birds, and pick up trash. Participants can earn an hour of community service while helping to keep ImaginOn beautiful! Come ready to get your hands dirty!

To register, visit https://cmlibrary.bibliocommons.com/events/6a08b866490f176f7dd56e2c

Lights, Camera, Action!

This weekend, our Service Saturday teens lent us their creativity in crafting original promotional videos and flyers for Summer Reading!

The teens learned filmmaking basics, got a chance to explore using our in-house blue screen and production studio, and even wrote and shot their own short-form videos about our upcoming Summer Reading 2026 Challenge!

A big shoutout to our partners at The Academy of Goal Achievers for their amazing group of teens who gave their time and talent.

If you or a teen you know (12-18 years old) is looking for ways to volunteer and get more community service hours, check out library Services Saturdays in the Teen Loft every month. Participants can earn up to two hours by helping out in the ImaginOn library with varying tasks and library projects.

Summer Reading is just around the corner! This year's theme? Universe of Stories! From June 1st to August 15th, blast off on an unforgettable reading adventure that spans galaxies of imagination, discovery, and creativity. Explore Space, science, and stories beyond the stars – every book is a new world waiting for you.

Children and teens (ages 0-18) are welcome to participate and receive prizes from our sponsors at signup, as well as at 25, 50, and 75-day milestones. Visit your local branch to pick up your prize, while supplies last.

Summer's just a few weeks away at ImaginOn!