Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Foundation

10/21/2026

Public Square asks how we balance individual liberty with our obligations to one another. CML librarians have gathered titles on why Americans disagree and how to judge what we read.

Check out...
"Why We're Polarized" by Ezra Klein
"Foolproof" by Sander van der Linden
"The Constitution of Knowledge" by Jonathan Rauch

For these and other recommended books, see our Public Square Reading Guide here:
https://cmlibrary.bibliocommons.com/v2/list/display/546913757/3115531197

Tickets on sale for our October 29 event at Carolina Theatre at Belk Place: https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/2D006512C009D8B6

10/14/2026

Help us welcome to the stage — John Hood and Melissa Murray.

For their complete bios and more information about our civic conversation series Public Square, visit our website at https://foundation.cmlibrary.org/events-and-programs/public-square/

Tickets are on sale now — October 29 at Carolina Theatre at Belk Place

10/12/2026

Respectful debate and disagreeing with someone without despising them can feel like a lost art these days. The last decade in American politics has been, well, anything but civil. That’s why WFAE and the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Foundation are teaming up for Public Square: Charlotte’s Conversation Series, which starts this month. Former Davidson College President Carol Quillen will moderate the first conversation in the series Oct. 29 at the Carolina Theatre. She joined WFAE’s Marshall Terry.

Respectful debate and disagreeing with someone without despising them can feel like a lost art these days. That’s why WFAE and the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Foundation are teaming up for Public Square: Charlotte’s Conversation Series. Former Davidson College President Carol Quillen will mode...

10/12/2026

Introducing our moderator for Public Square — Carol Quillen. Historian, former president of Davidson College, and former CEO of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Carol will ensures each panelist is given due time to represent their position. Our Public Square moderator meets with the speakers individually before the event to get a feel for their points of view. Questions are developed that are rigorous but fair and allow for the free flow of conversation.

Tickets on sale at https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/2D006512C009D8B6

10/12/2026

10/08/2026

Americans have always argued. Hamilton and Jefferson disagreed on quite a bit: from the role of the federal government to the U.S. Constitution, from the economy to foreign policy. Sound familiar? It should! We as Americans continue to have these conversations 250 years later.

Join us on October 29 for Public Square, a new civic conversation series brought to you through the philanthropic partnership of the Durham and Morton families as well as Elon University School of Law, Foundation for the Carolinas, Knight Foundation, and WFAE.

Tickets are $35 for general admission, $15 for students.

https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/2D006512C009D8B6

09/24/2026

Manolo Betancur, owner of Manolo's Bakery, emigrated from Colombia with a very different experience with libraries. However, what he found at Charlotte Mecklenburg Library completely changed his perspective — the Library is an open, welcoming place for everyone, no matter where you're from.

Learn more --> https://bit.ly/3zLtjBu

09/22/2026

Let everyone know you're ready to start a conversation (without saying a word.) Check out our Public Square online store for fun new merch including shirts, hats, totes and stickers.

Check out the full collection here:
https://cmlibrary.myshopify.com/collections/public-square-civic-conversation-series

Make sure to secure your seat at Public Square on October 29. Tickets available here: https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/2D006512C009D8B6

09/18/2026

Thank you to our Best Seller Sponsors — Ally, Brighthouse Financial, C. D. Spangler Foundation, Charlotte Hornets, Duke Energy / Piedmont Natural Gas, and Lowe's — for joining us for an evening with four best selling authors and for supporting the work of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library. We couldn't do it without you!

09/14/2026

Rodgers knows how to build excitement for our 13th annual Library fundraiser Verse & Vino — with w**e! They also know how to build beautiful spaces like our new Main Library set to open in Spring 2027. Thank you, Rodgers, for your support and partnership as our W**e sponsor. We will see you all and raise a glass of vino on November 12.