Melanie Huggins

Youth Services Director

Public Library of Charlotte
and Mecklenburg County.

ImaginOn

Since 1996, Melanie Huggins has worked in the award winning Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County (PLCMC) and since 2000, has held the position of Youth and Outreach Services Director.

She received her Masters in Library and Information Science from the University of South Carolina in 1995.  Melanie received a BFA in Studio Art, with emphasis in painting, photography and ceramics, from Winthrop University in 1991.  She was awarded the University’s School of Visual and Performing Arts "Most Promising Painter" award in 1995 as well as participated in several shows of her paintings and photographs.  Melanie has successfully combined her love of the arts, passion for encouraging creativity in young people and belief in the strength of partnerships by developing several award-winning library projects including: Smart Connections—a cultural partnership with the library supporting local arts organizations through  joint programming, web sites and promotions; "Continue the Contact"—a partnership with the Department of Social Services that gives back-packs of books and art supplies to youth going into foster care; and "Get Set 4 K" a website and developing awareness campaign designed to help parents of four year olds prepare their children for Kindergarten through literature based activities.
 
Ms. Huggins was most fortunate to be able to combine all of her interests while leading PLCMC in the development of ImaginOn: The Joe and Joan Martin Center, a partnership and joint use facility with the Children’s Theater of Charlotte which opened in October of 2005.

In addition to her interest in ensuring that libraries are part of the cultural fabric of their communities, Melanie is also passionate about the library’s role in youth development and co-authored the June 2004 School Library Journal cover story "Here Comes Trouble; an approach to working with unruly teens," Under Melanie’s direction, PLCMC created the first on-line summer reading club for teens called "Train Your Brain."

Melanie is frequent presenter on the topics of building partnerships, outcome-based services, and enjoys her work as a consultant in the development of strategic plans for other public libraries. An active American Library Association (ALA) member, she is currently chairing a task-force on creating an early literacy initiative for the American Library Services to Children division of ALA.