Looking for a library in Charlotte NC?
Luckily, we’ve got many to choose from in our city and surrounding area, including all of the ones in the expansive Charlotte Mecklenburg Library system, and these completely free resources not only provide access to books, movies, internet, study spaces, and rented electronic equipment, but they also often hold events, children’s activities, and each one holds its own unique facets that keep us comng back time and again.
Especially during the summer, when the kids are out of school, it’s a great idea to take advantage of your closest library. Here’s a comprehensive list of the best libraries in Charlotte NC and where to find one near you.
Cabarrus County Public Library, Concord Branch
The Concord branch of the Cabarrus County Public Library lends books, audiobooks, DVDs, magazines, and CDs, as well as offering access to eBooks, eAudiobooks, digital magazines, online databases, continuing education courses, ESL tutoring, genealogy tools, and reservable community rooms. They also offer programs and events for all ages, like story times to resume writing, to encourage lifelong learning.
Where: 27 Union St N, Concord, NC
Unique feature: The Local History and Genealogy Collection is a great opportunity to learn more about the Charlotte area and potential family history here.
North County Regional
Located by Birkdale Village, North County Regional serves Huntersville, Cornelius, and Davidson in northern Mecklenburg County. It first opened in 1997, and was last renovated in October 2019. North County Regional offers meeting and study rooms, designated areas for children and teens, a Teen Loft, a digital makerspace and a large community room, all completely free to guests.
Where: 16500 Holly Crest Lane, Huntersville, NC
Unique feature: Their new digital maker space offers access to 3D printers, a vinyl cutter, a wood cutter, a sound booth with audio recording equipment, virtual reality equipment, and design and editing software.
E.H. Little Library
The E.H. Little Library at Davidson College allows guests to use the bulk of their electronic databases on public access computers, as well as their extensive catalog, research guides, and academic journals. Use of materials in the Archives and Special Collections is also available by appointment. Guests are also able to print and photocopy for a small fee per page.
Where: 202 D Rd, Davidson, NC
Unique feature: The archives and special collections offer some great insights about Davidson College and the surrounding town of Davidson.
Morrison Regional Library
Located right near SouthPark Mall and Colony Road, the Morrison Regional Library has been around since 1991, but recently underwent a major renovation in 2017. The library features teen and children’s areas, group study rooms, a makerspace, a cafe, and outdoor seating areas. It has free wifi, research help, and storytimes, and is located close by to retail areas and public transit stops.
Where: 7015 Morrison Boulevard
Unique feature: The outdoor seating patio is a lovely place to enjoy a new book when there’s nice weather.
ImaginOn: The Joe & Joan Martin Center
This library is a one-of-a-kind youth experience located in the heart of the cultural arts district. It is a collaborative effort between the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library and the Children’s Theatre of Charlotte. The facility houses two state-of-the-art theatres, a dedicated library space for kids 11 and under, four multi-purpose classrooms, a teen-only library, a multimedia production studio, and an interactive exhibit space.
Where: 300 E 7th St
Unique feature: The Park Family Story Lab has a 40-foot tall spiral structure filled with objects to spark any author’s imagination for a story.
J. Murrey Atkins Library
Containing 11 stories of much more than just books, at J. Murrey Atkins Library you’ll find a variety of study rooms, classrooms, resources centers, help desks, the newest technologies, and even a coffee shop. Atkins offers more than 3.8 million volumes, including 1.2 million e-books, over 650 databases, and approximately 222,000 journals, the vast majority available remotely.
Where: 9201 University City Blvd
Unique feature: The tenth floor of the library, where the archives and special collections are stored, offers a unique view of UNCC’s campus and Uptown Charlotte.
Little Free Libraries
Though a bit unorthodox, Little Free Libraries are a fun and unique way to get a new read. The libraries are neighborhood book exchanges where visitors are encouraged to take a book and give a book. Started in 2009 by Todd H. Bol, there are now 100,000 Little Free Libraries in 108 countries. You’re even welcome to build your own or purchase your own little library and register it, to be found by anyone in the community.
Where: One of our favorites is in Spirit Square on North College and 7th Street in Uptown, but you can look at the library map to find one closest to you!
Unique feature: Since the books are always being exchanged, you may discover a book you never thought you’d love.
Matthews Library
Part of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Public Library System, the Matthews Library is located in the heart of the small town just southeast of Charlotte. It offers reservable meeting rooms, free Wi-Fi, computer access, printing and copying, and research help to all patrons. Additionally, Matthews Library holds tons of events each month. From storytimes in both Russian and English to adult fiction writing groups, there is an event for everyone at this library.
Where: 230 Matthews Station St., Matthews, NC
Unique feature: The library has a train theme, inspired by the old Matthews Train Depot located next door.
Billy Graham Library
Although it’s not your typical library, the Billy Graham Library features an impressive and inspiring retelling of the life of Charlotte-born Evangelist Billy Graham. The towering barn shaped building was designed to reflect Billy Graham’s humble childhood growing up on his family’s daily farm. Today, the library offers interactive tours, his restored family homeplace, a bookstore, dairy bar, and memorial garden.
Where: 4330 Westmont Dr
Unique feature: The Dairy Bar offers soups, salads, and sandwiches, along with frozen treats like milkshakes and ice cream.
Main Library
Main Library, the flagship branch of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Public Library System, is located centrally in Uptown Charlotte. It is 157,000 square feet, and offers computer access, meeting rooms, printing, research help, and a career center at no cost to patrons. New designs for the $100 million building renovation were released in 2019 and are on track to be completed by 2024.
Where: 310 North Tryon Street
Unique feature: The columns in front of the library are inscribed with famous quotes about reading and learning.
Myers Park Library
Originally built in 1956, the Myers Park Library was the first branch of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Public Library System. It has a small-town feel, located in the heart of the historic Myers Park neighborhood just southeast of Uptown. This library offers computer access, research help, free WiFi, printing, and copying.
Where: 1361 Queens Road
Unique feature: Each month, the library hosts a themed literacy scavenger hunt for kids, based on a holiday, month-long observance, or interesting topic.
University City Regional
University City Regional serves the University neighborhood of Charlotte, a suburban area that surrounds UNC Charlotte’s campus. The intersection of academia, healthcare, and business has made it an exciting place to be, and the University City Regional Library reflects that. Its services are free to the public, and include private study areas, a large collection of books and online databases, research help, computer access, printing and copying, and outdoor seating areas.
Where: 301 East W.T. Harris Blvd
Unique feature: Spanish language group sessions are held every Thursday, so you can practice your conversational skills while learning basic words and phrases.
Allegra Westbrooks Regional
The Allegra Westbrooks Regional Library opened in April of 1997, replacing the North Branch Library which was originally built in 1957. It was renovated in 2009, and reopened as the new regional library for the area in June of 2011. This library offers research help, free WiFi, computer access, printing and copying, private study rooms, seating booths, and a Kid Zone.
Where: 2412 Beatties Ford Rd
Unique feature: This library was renamed for Allegra Westbrooks, the first African-American public library supervisor in North Carolina in April of 2020.
