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CHARLES BROWN
Charlotte Mecklenburg Public Library
By: Marilynn Bowler
With his jovial wit, his friendly demeanor and his flair for
words, Director of Libraries Charles M. Brown introduced our Rotary
club members to his plans for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Public
Library System under his leadership. Arriving in Charlotte in
February from Hennepin County, Minnesota where he most recently
headed up one of the two largest public library systems between
Chicago and the West Coast, Charles assured us that coming here to
assume this job has been a dream come true. There were signs, he
smilingly said, that this move was “meant to be.” For starters, he
sold his home during sub-zero weather in January in Minnesota in
just three days.
He wove a single message throughout his speech … that our public
library system is a priceless gift to this community and is a
heritage rich in tradition, going all the way back to Industrialist
Andrew Carnegie who arrived in the United States from Scotland and
put down fifty million dollars to create the public library system
across the United States. He cited the involvement of Thomas E.
Franklin in Charlotte over one hundred years ago and attributes our
current public library system to him. Charles reminded us that since
the beginning our public libraries have had joint partnerships with
our schools, resulting in positive outcomes for both. In fact, the
Brevard Street Library was actually founded in the first
African-American school in Charlotte. Today, our own system has
twenty-three locations which constitute a twenty-nine million dollar
operating budget … eighty-five percent of which comes from the
county government. There are almost five hundred employees in our
system.
Of the current projects, the newest - the fifteen-thousand square
foot Steele Creek branch - will open in two weeks and will feature
user-friendly wireless capabilities. Next on the drawing board will
be a branch in Mountain Island.
Describing “ImaginOn: The Joe & Joan Martin Center,” Charles
proclaimed the incredible spectacular as the launching of the
“motherlode of all libraries” and the “Kennedy Center for Youth,”
attractive to kids from birth to eighteen years of age. It will
boast two theatres under the guidance of the Children’s Theatre;
seating five hundred fifty seats and two hundred, respectively.
His challenges, Charles outlined, are the Strategic Planning Process
currently being undertaken by the Library Board, the ability to
respond to our population growth and demographic changes, and the
public library system’s heavy tax-dependency.
“Of the nation’s leading public libraries,” he told us, “ours is
perhaps the least well-funded on a per capita basis and this is seen
in the overall scope of our collections of books and other library
materials, as well as the increasing concern about general
maintenance of our growing number of locations.” Columbus, Ohio, he
pointed out, spends eight million dollars annually for the purchase
of hard-bound books. Charlotte’s budget is less than half of that at
three-and-a-half million.
He divulged that he’s considering such things as coffee and food
service, a user-friendly check-out system, and an entrance to the
main branch on North Tryon Street. He concluded his remarks by
applauding his quite exceptional staff. With Charles M. Brown at the
helm, Charlotte-Mecklenburg’s Public Library System is in solid
hands.
Head Table:
Catherine Browning, Myra Johnston, Chris
Kemper, Marilynn Bowler, John Johnson, Peggy Wesp
Visitors and Guests:
Don Carmichael; Health & Happiness: Phil
Van Hoy; Invocation: Doug Bean; Song: David Erdman
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New Member Profile |
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Cecily N. Durrett
Jefferson Pilot
Communications
Classification: Television, Marketing
Jefferson Pilot Communications
One Julian Price Place (28208)
704-374-3991
cdurrett@wbtv.com |
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Cecily has worked in
the media, public relations and advertising industry for more
than 25 years. Currently Marketing and Program Director at WBTV
3, she came to Charlotte in 1980 to cover city hall for WBT
Radio. She has lead communications efforts at area organizations
such as Duke Power Company, Carolinas Healthcare System,
Presbyterian Healthcare/Novant and Food Lion, Inc. Cecily
currently volunteers in Charlotte as a member of the United Way
of Central Carolinas board, and Chair of its Marketing
Committee, a member of the Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina
board and chair of its Marketing Committee, and the Mid-Atlantic
American Heart Association Board of Governors. She also serves
on the Marketing Committee of the Metrolina Entrepreneurial
Council, and the Tower Club Board of Governors. Cecily is a
graduate of Leadership Charlotte, Class VII. |
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Utmost sympathy is
extended to Martin and
Amy Welton upon the death of five month old
Charles Mitchell Welton on
July 27, 2004. In his short life, Charles displayed an
amazing will to live, overcoming many medical challenges.
Prayers are also with Rex
and Linda Welton during
this difficult time.
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Steve Byrum has joined the sales team at Dickens-Mitchener
& Associates.
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Pete Larson participated in a conference call
with the Rotary Club of Constantia as the laparoscope
equipment, which was funded through a Matching Grant, was
officially handed over to Victoria Hospital in Cape Town,
South Africa.
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Alan Adler, President of Alan Adler Associates,
Inc., was published in The Business Journal, with an article
detailing unwise practices that lead to sales prevention.
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All members of the Rotary Club of Charlotte
are invited to attend the District 7680 seminars on
the Rotary Foundation and Membership Development scheduled
for Saturday, September 11, at the Mooresville Citizens
Center. Continental breakfast will be available at 8:00. The
seminars will begin at 8:30 and conclude by 11:30. If you
plan to attend, please notify the Rotary office. Board
members and officers are particularly encouraged to attend.
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The club’s piano has been donated to the home/music
conservatory of Mrs. Clara Jones. Mrs. Jones has taught
piano to 75 or 80 kids in her home and is the proud owner of
16 pianos-enough for two pianos in every room. Thanks to the
Music Committee (Thomas Moore,
David Erdman, Richard Early and
Gregg Walker) for arranging this donation and
delivery.
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Wishes for a speedy recovery are extended to
Dwight Thomas as he
enters CMC Rehab Hospital for about two weeks.
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Ralston Pound made a visit to
Ed Pickard to drop off the
new club Roster. Ralston quickly realized the conversation
was over when Ed paid more attention to flipping through the
Roster than continuing the visit with Ralston. Glad to hear
Ed is doing better.
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Bill Meanor was among more than 200 veterans
honored inside a hangar at the N.C. Air National Guard base
near Charlotte/Douglas International Airport for their
participation in the Korean War that saw a cease-fire 51
years ago Tuesday.
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John Snyder is working to
re-establish the club’s Interact program at Myers Park High
School. Principal Bill Anderson and Ron Thomas, introduced
Tuesday, are looking forward to getting the program
underway.
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SUPPORT THE 9/11 SCHOLARSHIP GOLF CLASSIC – September 21st
at Raintree Country Club. Contact Chip Scholz for info.
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Attendance
Record |
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7/27/04 |
7/29/03 |
| visitors &
guests |
18 |
16 |
| club
members |
183 |
171 |
| total
attendance |
201 |
187 |
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Wedding
Anniversaries |
11 Pam and Skip Berry
12 Ellen and Richard Bailey
12 Elsie and Bob Garner
13 Mary and Jay Deyton
16 Frannie and Frank Martin
16 Joanne and Ed Ruff |
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New Members | Resignations |
Janet Fortner
Pam Daigle |
Dave Guilford
Jamie McLawhorn
David Tate
Debby Millhouse
Tommy Thompson |
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| Roaming
Rotarians |
Tom Burgess, Seattle, Wa
Lila Rash, Jekyll Island, SC
Pat Millen, Wilmington, NC | |
| Birthdays and
Birthplaces |
09 Marilynn Bowler, Rochester, NY
16 Jim Bensman, Green Bay, WI
16 Jim Kiser, Belmont, NC |
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