Mecklenburg County Library System Plans Temporary Shutdown

Categories: CulinaryEvents/What's HappeningNews

Mecklenburg County Library with closed sign

News Summary

The Charlotte Mecklenburg Library will temporarily close all 22 branches and book drops starting April 1, 2025, due to a software migration aimed at improving services. Important dates include halting new library card sign-ups and online event registrations. Access to online accounts will also be suspended, with branches officially closing on April 18 and reopening April 23. During this period, digital services will remain available. Residents are encouraged to prepare and adapt their library habits accordingly.

Mecklenburg County Library System Gears Up for Temporary Shutdown in April

Charlotte is buzzing with news as the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library prepares for a significant change. If you’re a fan of books, resources, and community activities, you might want to take note of some important dates coming up in April. The library will temporarily close its branches and book drops due to a major software migration that aims to improve services for everyone.

What Do You Need to Know?

The closure affects all 22 library locations across Mecklenburg County. Starting on April 1, 2025, customer impacts will begin, so mark your calendars! New library card sign-ups will be halted on this date, meaning if you’re looking to dive into the library’s resources for the first time, you’ll have to wait a bit.

Service Interruptions

For those of you who already hold a library card, it’s crucial to understand that certain features will be temporarily unavailable. After April 1, cardholders won’t be able to place holds on books, request interlibrary loans, or suggest new materials for purchase. So, if there’s a book you’ve been dying to read, consider grabbing it before the switch happens!

Looking to attend a fun event? Think again! The library will stop all online event registrations starting on April 4, so if you have plans to join a workshop or community meetup, make sure to secure your spot before then.

Keep an Eye Out for Further Changes

As the migration progresses, things will change, and you’ll need to stay alert. From April 11, access to both online and mobile app accounts will be cut off for library cardholders. This means you won’t be able to check your account details, browse the catalog, or manage your checkouts.

If you’re thinking about returning books, be prepared for a shift from April 13. Library branches won’t be processing returns, and you’ll only be able to check out items that are on hand. So, if you’ve been holding onto a book for a while, now might be the right time to drop it off!

The Big Closure

Due to the migration efforts, all library branches and book drops will officially close on April 18. While this is certainly a setback for many eager readers, don’t fret too much! Book drops will swing open again on April 21, allowing you to return your items without stepping inside the library. Furthermore, library branches will be back in action on April 23.

Returning to Normal

After the dust settles from the software migration, all library services are set to return to normal operations by May 5. So there’s plenty to look forward to!

What About Digital Services?

For those of you who can’t live without your digital fix, there’s good news! You’ll still have uninterrupted access to the library’s digital services during this transition. Need to kick back with an eBook or catch a new show? You can use platforms like Libby and Hoopla. Just head over to digitalbranch.cmlibrary.org to dive into the world of online reading and streaming.

Don’t Forget About MoLi

If you’re a fan of MoLi, Charlotte’s mobile library service, you might want to take note that this service will also suspend operations starting on April 13. If you rely on MoLi to bring the library to your doorstep, think ahead and plan your reading accordingly!

As the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library prepares to migrate to a new system, residents are encouraged to stay informed and adjust their library habits accordingly. So, if you love your local library, give it some time to get upgraded—great things are on the way!