Who runs the library?

My name is Lauren and I am the owner and curator of our lovely library. I have lived in the Charlotte area for nearly two decades and my husband is a Charlotte native, having been here from age 4! We are Catholic and deeply devoted to our faith. We have three boys who we homeschool using Charlotte Mason's educational philosophies. My oldest and I are also first degree black belts in taekwondo and will be testing this Fall for our second degree!

Is there meaning in the name of the Library?

The Charlotte Finch is a nod to, firstly, our Queen City, which holds a special place in my heart as I moved here right out of college and have always held great affection for her lovely skyline and have built my life and family here. The choice of a finch is a play on the many birds we have around our lovely Mount Holly home, as well as a literary nod to the beloved "To Kill a Mockingbird" and its hero, Atticus Finch. Fun fact: the day after choosing the name for the library, I installed a birdfeeder in our back window and, a short time later, the first bird to land on the feeder was a House Finch!

How do I access the books?

You can easily browse our entire collection online. Members can place holds and then setup a porch pickup or make an appointment to come browse the library in person.

Do you have any open hours?

Right now we are in the beginning stages of the library and allowing in-person browsing by appointment only. Most appointments will be available weekday afternoons. Depending on the popularity of the library, we may decide to have regular open hours in the future.

Can I bring my kids?

Our library is located in our private home. Therefore, in order to keep our household in our normal routine, we request that children not be permitted inside unless they are at an age where they can quietly browse the shelves the way you would in a university library (whispered voices only, carefully examining books and replacing them, etc.) Children of all ages are welcome to go around back and jump on our trampoline or hang out on our fenced-in patio while an adult is browsing. Infants-in-arms are always welcome inside with a caregiver.

What kinds of books do you have?

We primarily have books geared towards homeschooling using a classical method of education. If you are familiar with the Charlotte Mason Method, an estimated 90+% of our collection are living books. This includes: hundreds of well-known fiction books for toddlers through high school and beyond, as well as scores of books on: history, biography, geography, science, nature, nature study, art history/picture study, music, reference, handicrafts and art, poetry, and more! 

We are also a Catholic home and have dozens of books (both for children and adults) on: the Bible, Bible history, Saints, Sacraments, liturgical living, prayer and devotion, etc.

Where do your books come from?

Anywhere and everywhere! I regularly pop into thrift stores and browse their bookshelves thoroughly. I would guess about 80% or more of our books have been purchased second hand or donated to us. I am ALWAYS adding to our inventory! I also buy new books that cannot be found second hand.

Can I come see the library before joining?

Absolutely! Just reach out to Lauren to setup an appointment.

How long can I checkout books for?

Standard checkout length is one month, but if you know you will need a book for an entire term or the whole school year, just let Lauren know and she can adjust those due dates accordingly.

Are there late fees for not returning books on time?

There are no late fees for books that are not returned on time, but there may be some harassing by Lauren if your late books are being waited on by another patron. ;) You will also not be permitted to checkout more books until the overdue ones are returned. Please be respectful of the need for other patrons to have books on time for the start of a school term and return all books promptly.

What happens if I lose a book or it gets damaged?

All patrons are responsible for the books they have checked out and will be charged the highest “very good” condition used price on Thrift books or equivalent for any lost or damaged books (or the new Amazon price if it is not available used). It is up to Lauren’s discretion as to what the exact charge will be or what qualifies as a damaged book that is beyond repair. All lost/damaged fees must be paid before the patron will be permitted to check out any more books. 

Why do I need a private library when I can use the public library for free?

It’s true that the public library is free, but if you’ve been there lately, you might have noticed a shift in the culture of libraries. Most public libraries have agendas that do not align with many of our values and beliefs. Come instead to The Charlotte Finch for a wholesome library experience with books that you don’t need to filter before letting your child view them. I have also, often, been hard pressed to find the living books I’m looking for in our public library. (For the record: our household ALSO uses the public library at times!) 

Why do you have to charge for access?

Our fees help us cover the cost of managing the library and purchasing books to add to the inventory. They also support our family financially.

Do you take donations or purchase from others?

YES! I will happily take donated books you have – or will purchase some books if you prefer to sell rather than donate, if they fill a need in our collections. Offered books will not necessarily make it into the library but I will give the unwanted copies to Goodwill. Anyone who donates 20 or more books to the library (that we choose to keep) in a calendar year, will earn a 50% discount on their membership!

Additionally: I am always on the lookout for free/cheap (but very specific!) bookcases. If you have any IKEA Kallax cube shelves in “black oak” OR IKEA Billy bookcases (black oak preferred but I’m open to other colors) to give or sell, please let me know and we’ll work something out!