West Side Libraries

Building regional libraries required a patron in the community, a person or institution whose support made possible a bigger, more fully equipped building than the county could have funded. What, then, of the communities such as West Charlotte, which lacked such resources? The West and West Boulevard branches had served the largely African American community since 1962 and 1985, respectively. The Charlotte Observer published articles in 1991, 1992, and 1993 analyzing the comparative deficiency of library service in this sector and quoting residents who felt that their area was being passed over. (O'Brien, 1991)Kevin O’Brien, “Books’ balance worries westside” Charlotte Observer, April 17, 1991, p.1B (Chandler, 1992)Liz Chandler, “Branch upgrade won’t match plush Morrison,” March 21, 1992, p.1C (Whitacre, 1993)Dianne Whitacre, “Westside libraries move to top of list,” Charlotte Observer, May 23, 1993, Mecklenburg Neighbors section, p.2 Library Director Robert Cannon talked of the case for new libraries as a matter of social justice rather than solely a response to population growth. “`If you use growth [as the criteria for new libraries] the westside always loses.” He met with community leaders and reported on their discussion this way:

“They said population growth isn`t their concern. They want community services, a strong children`s program and room for homework assistance. They talked about services, quality of life and their fair share. Needless to say, they felt strongly.`` (Whitacre, 1993)Dianne Whitacre, “Westside libraries move to top of list,” Charlotte Observer, May 23, 1993, Mecklenburg Neighbors section, p.2

Library officials took steps to break the cycle of disappointing facilities and disaffected users first by moving and expanding the old West branch and renaming it “Cityview” in 1993. Then in 1996 a new, 15,000 sq. ft. West Boulevard branch opened with “the best computer facilities in the county's public library system.“The Board commissioned four murals by local artist Tommie Robinson for the interior. (Truman, 1996)Faith Truman, “Computers draw many to westside library,” Charlotte Observer, August 28, 1996, Mecklenburg Neighbors section, p.28M  Board of Trustees, July 24, 1996Charlotte Mecklenburg Library, Minutes of the Board of Trustees, July 24, 1996 The west side finally received its own regional library in 2003, when Cityview closed and “Freedom Regional” opened. Instead of working with a local developer for a grant of land, the library system partnered instead with a powerful institutional neighbor: the Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools. The same library facility within the school building would serve as a public library and as a media center for the new, STEM-centered Phillip O. Berry High School. This experiment in partnership had only seven years to prove itself before the budget crisis of 2010 obliged the library to turn the space over to the school system entirely. In 2011, the Beatties Ford Road library reopened as a regional library after a prolonged closure for renovations, thus restoring a large, well equipped, and attractively designed facility to the community.

Detailed Citations:

• Chandler, Liz. “Branch upgrade won’t match plush Morrison.” March 21, 1992, p.1C
• Charlotte Mecklenburg Library, Minutes of the Board of Trustees, July 24, 1996
• O’Brien, Kevin. “Books’ balance worries westside.” Charlotte Observer, April 17, 1991, p.1B
• Truman, Faith. “Computers draw many to westside library.” Charlotte Observer, August 28, 1996, Mecklenburg Neighbors section, p.28M
• Whitacre, Diane. “Westside libraries move to top of list.” May 23, 1993, Mecklenburg Neighbors section, p.2