Charlotte Mecklenburg Library, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and Mecklenburg County to Speak at ConnectED Library Challenge Summit in Washington DC
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library CEO Lee Keesler, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Superintendent Ann Clark and Mecklenburg County Manager Dena Diorio have been invited by the White House and Institute of Museum and Library Services to speak at today's ConnectED Library Challenge Summit in Washington DC.
Keesler, Clark and Diorio will serve as a panelists to share their unique partnership and approach to getting a library card in the hands of all students, known as ONE Access. "Your expertise and experience will contribute greatly to the content of the event," said ConnectEd spokesperson Nancy Weiss in the invitation.
The White House ConnectED Library Challenge, launched last year, calls upon mayors, school leaders, and library directors to work together and create or strengthen partnerships that ensure that every child enrolled in school can receive a library card. It recognizes the critical role that libraries play as trusted community anchors that support learning and connectivity at all times and the notion that improving education for all children requires key local leaders to collaborate in new and powerful ways.
The Library, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, Mecklenburg County and the City of Charlotte did just that when they accepted the challenge as soon as it was launched, pledging to provide students with easily accessible information and educational resources. Work had already begun, but the ConnectEd challenge galvanized efforts.
"We are honored to be invited to share what we've learned with peer libraries from around the country," says Lee Keesler, Library CEO. "ONE Access levels the playing field for all CMS students and positions the Library and school system to work even more closely together to support literacy and educational success going forward."
"I'm excited about our continued partnership with the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library and the new ways we are working together to enrich learning experiences for students," said Ann Clark, superintendent of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. "Strengthening the literacy skills of every CMS student is our top priority and the ONE Access program gets us one step closer to making reading on grade level and beyond attainable for every child."
"Mecklenburg County is a community that values partnership and innovation," says Mecklenburg County Manager Dena Diorio. "It's an honor to be invited to share the success of this initiative with other communities at this national event, and to show how two of our key educational institutions are working together to benefit so many students."
The Summit will be both a celebration and a strategy session for the many communities across the country who accepted the President's challenge, and an opportunity to share best practices while learning from peers from across the country. It takes place Tuesday, January 19, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in Washington, DC. Those who wish to track this event on social media can follow @cmlibrary, @meckcounty, @charmeckschools, #ONEAccess, #librariesforall and find more information at www.cmlibrary.org/ONEAccess.
About the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library:
The Charlotte Mecklenburg Library is one of America's leading urban public libraries, serving a community of more than one million citizens in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. Through 20 locations, targeted outreach and online, the Library delivers exceptional services and programs, with a mission to create a community of readers and empower individuals with free access to information and the universe of ideas. For more, visit cmlibrary.org.
About Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools:
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. With over 146,000 students enrolled in 168 schools, it is the second-largest school district in North Carolina.
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Media Contact:
Cordelia Anderson Director of Marketing & Communciations Charlotte Mecklenburg Library 704-416-0712 canderson@cmlibrary.org
Media Resources:
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library newsroom: http://news.cision.com/charlotte-mecklenburg-library
Social Sharing:
Hashtags: #ONEAccess, #librariesforall
Facebook: www.facebook.com/cmlibrary
Twitter: @cmlibrary @cmlibrary, @meckcounty, @charmeckschools
Instagram: www.instagram.com/cmlibrary
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