Cearra N.

Harris
cearra.harris@outlook.com

Profile
Driven, positive, and enthusiastic paraprofessional who engages with internal and external customers to
provide unparalleled service
Manages multiple responsibilities with attention to detail, calendar/time management, organization and
effective communication

Professional Highlights

● Created, planned, and facilitated the G.R.E.A.T. Literary Group at numerous outreach sites
(Alexander Graham Middle School, Harding University High School, Charlotte Lab, Piedmont IB
Middle School, and Florence Crittenton Services Center).
● Served as a community presenter at multiple YMCA teen events covering pressing topics like
social justice and collaborated with CMPD to create meaningful experiences for teens.
● Served as an Active Reading trainer for Read Charlotte and facilitated literacy development
workshops for at-risk teen mothers and their children in the community.
● Provided outreach services to Sedgefield Middle School program for the Reading Buddies
program, practicing reading and comprehension skills with students on a weekly basis. And
promoting the free services the library provides.
● Received ALA’s Great Stories Club grant and facilitated weekly outreach book club visits at a
Mecklenburg community site providing at-risk youth new books, resources, and impactful
programs.
● Collaborated with the Beloved Community Center (Greensboro, NC) to facilitate racial healing
circles for youth in Mecklenburg County.
● Served as a guest blogger for ALA’s Intersections blog writing about unexpected library
partnerships and outreach opportunities.
● Provided a weekly family story time at Scaleybark Library that coincides with Charlotte
Mecklenburg Library’s Get Ready with Words initiative.
● Served as the co-lead for the Volunteen Team and Leaders of Volunteer Management Team for
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library.
● Organized and managed the Sandhills Library Homework Support Lab, a Lipscomb Family Grant
funded initiative that provided after school support to, on average, 32 middle school age students,
including free tutoring with certified teachers, life-skills presentations, and mentoring
● Provided outreach services to local elementary schools for the “Books & Breakfast” program
speaking with parents in low income and urban areas about the importance of reading aloud to
their children and promoting the free services the library provides
● Coordinated with community members and library staff across locations to organize and present
“Voices of Our People”, an annual celebration of African American life, culture, art, and history.
This event is a showcase of community talent featuring artists, singers, poets, dancers, and much
more.
● Provided personal assistance as a specialist through Sandhills Library’s “Book a Learning Coach”
program including assistive technology for customer with visual impairments, job
searching/resume help, and e-book and basic computer training
 Cearra N. Harris
cearra.harris@outlook.com

Professional Experience

Charlotte Mecklenburg Library, Charlotte, NC 4/2017—Present

Teen Services Specialist II I ImaginOn Library

Florence Crittenton Services, Charlotte, NC 8/2016—Present

Administrative Support Volunteer and Babysitter

Charlotte Mecklenburg Library, Charlotte, NC 8/2014—4/2017

Children & Teen Services Specialist II & Branch Volunteer Manager I Scaleybark Library

Richland Library, Columbia, SC 6/2010 – 8/2014

Administrative Library Assistant | Sandhills Library | 11/2012 – 8/2014
Administrative Circulation Clerk | Southeast Regional Branch Library|8/2011 – 11/2012
Sorting Shelver | Southeast Regional Branch Library| 6/2010 – 8/2011

Boys and Girls Club of the Midlands, Columbia, SC 9/2011 –1/2012

Administrative Intern

Sexual Trauma Services of the Midlands, Columbia, SC 10/2009 –1/2010

Administrative Support Volunteer

Education/Training

Candidate, Master of Library and Information Science

University of North Carolina at Greensboro | GPA: 4.0| Expected Graduation: December 2019

Bachelor of Science, Inter-disciplinary Studies

Walden University | GPA: 3.5| Graduation: August 2017

Academic Achievements: 2018-2019 YALSA Spectrum Scholar, 2018 Carla DuPuy Scholarship
Recipient

Professional Development: Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Leadership Development Program, Service

Design Workshop, Storytelling and Puppet Show Workshop, HR and MeckEDU Professional
Development Trainings
 Cearra N. Harris
cearra.harris@outlook.com
Professional Skills

Technical Expertise
Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Publisher, PowerPoint, Outlook) | Horizon | Polaris | Evanced |
SharePoint | Cervis | Project Outcome | Program Portal | Tawk.to |Social Media (Facebook, Instagram,
Twitter)

Event Planner/Speaker/Presenter
● G.R.E.A.T. Literary Group, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library, August 2016-Present
● YMCA, Social Justice Presenter and Community Partner, February 2019-Present
● Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Theatrical Training and Community Read Team, 2018-Present
● ALA Great Stories Club Grant Recipient, 2018
● Active Reading, Florence Crittenton Services, January 2018
● Echoes of Africa, Sandhills Library, June 2013
● Voices of Our People, Sandhills Library, February 2013
● Voices of our People, Southeast Regional Branch Library, February 2012
● Beauty Defined, Southeast Regional Branch Library, February 2012
● Voices of our People, Richland County Public Library, February 2012
● Refresh Start: Health &Style Expo, Southeast Regional Branch Library, October 2011
● Acting Out! Southeast Regional Branch Library, June 22, 2011- July 13, 2011
● College, yes you can! Southeast Regional Branch Library, March 26, 2011

Family, Teen, and Children Services

● Facilitated multiple outreach visits at various Mecklenburg community sites.
● Worked with CMS administration to create a program plan that aligned with educational
standards.
● Engaged with children and families through innovative story times and programs and through
impromptu interactions
● Supervised children in an after-school setting.
● Served as a mentor for children of various ages

Customer Engagement
● Aided in all patron needs.
● Aided in preparation for community service events.
● Regularly booked appointments to aid customers with Resume help and G.E.D. Prep.
● Provided technology and E-book support to customers in need.

Administrative and Circulation

● Opened and closed the library, performing reconciliation of financials, security and technology
checks, and recording of statistics
● Served as a Manager on Duty (MOD) on a weekly basis.
● Managed the volunteer program for all ages at multiple library locations.
● Created modified essays, training materials, and flyers for employees and customers.
 Cearra N. Harris
cearra.harris@outlook.com
References

Kelly Czarnecki
Teen Loft at ImaginOn Manager
Current Supervisor
kczarnecki@cmlibrary.org
(704)416-4672

Beatriz Guevara
Scaleybark Library Manager and former REFORMA President (2015-2016)
Former Supervisor
BGuevara@cmlibrary.org
(704)416-6401

David Singleton
Interim Executive Director of Live Oak Public Libraries (Savannah, GA)
Professional Mentor
davidwaynesingleton@gmail.com
(980)229-1042

Angela Craig
Executive Director of Charleston County Public Library
Former Supervisor & Professional Mentor
craiga@ccpl.org
angelakaycraig@gmail.com (Personal)
(704)491-2373

Holly Summers-Gil
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Teen Services Coordinator
hsummers@cmlibrary.org
(704)416-4661

Jurhandi Pendergrass
Teen Services Specialist, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library
Colleague
jpendergrass@cmlibrary.org
(704)416-4660