CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Pamela McCarter spends her day looking for just the right book.

She works as the equity initiative and outreach coordinator, and knows the importance of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library.

“We have the materials here," she says. "We have the books, we have plenty of staff who are engaged and passionate about pushing this message that you matter.”

But after seeing the events that unfolded this summer, the library system knew it needed to do something.

“We took a monolithic approach of things of looking at every aspect of our library from programing to our collection to actually internally how are we supporting our staff as well," says McCarter

And from there they decided to launch a new program initiative called Black Lives Matter.

The program will provide books that highlight social justice, racial equity, and Black stories  

“There are so many other things so reading a Black author that’s written sci-fi or anything else to different poetry," says McCarter. "It’s important that you explore and go beyond the box that you normally read.”

Dr. Julia Jordan-Zachery teaches Africana Studies at UNC Charlotte, and is constantly working to expand the minds of her students.

“The purpose of education for me is to encourage kids regardless of age to be critical consumers of knowledge," she says. "How are they going to be critical consumers of knowledge if they are only consuming one thing?”

She believes programs like the library’s can make a difference. 

“We have a lot of literature and to have it be on display and available and highlighted is amazing...absolutely amazing," says Jordan-Zachery.

And while many might just see books on those library shelves, for McCarter, she sees them as a step in the right direction.

“We’re wanting to build our community and we’re wanting to make everyone know that in this community you matter to us and that we’re here to support you," she says.

Every month the library will spotlight a different Black author. You can check out October's author and learn more about the program here. ​