September is Library Card Sign Up Month, and if you have been looking for a reason to visit your local library, this is it. Maybe you have never had a library card, you had one as a kid but have no idea where it ended up, or yours has been sitting untouched in your wallet for a little too long. No matter where you fall, September is the perfect time to stop by your local library and see what you have been missing.
A library card might be small, but it opens the door to more than you might expect. Books are only the beginning. Today’s libraries offer resources, technology, programs, events, and services for people of all ages, making your library card one of the most useful cards you carry.
Signing up for a library card can also be a simple way to support your local library and the role it plays in your community. Library usage and membership can help libraries demonstrate demand for their services when making the case for funding, resources, and future programs. The more people who use and support their local library, the better positioned it is to continue to offer valuable resources and creating opportunities for the community it serves.
What Can You Do With a Library Card
When you think about your local library, books are probably the first thing that comes to mind. While checking out your next read is still a big part of the library experience, there is so much more available to explore.
Depending on your library, your card may give you access to eBooks, audiobooks, movies, magazines, research databases, educational resources, career tools, classes, children’s programs, and community events Many libraries also offer unexpected items you can borrow, from board games and puzzles to cooking supplies, tools, technology, and other useful household items.
Libraries are constantly finding new ways to serve their communities, so even if you have not visited in a few years, there may be resources you do not know about. Library Card Sign Up Month is a great opportunity to stop in, look around, and ask your local librarians what is available with your card. You might be surprised by the answer.
How Do You Get a Library Card?
If you do not have a local library card, getting one is usually simple. Requirements vary depending on the library, but many allow you to start the registration process online or visit a local branch to sign up in person. You may need identification and proof that you live, work, attend school, or own property within the library’s service area, so it is always a good idea to check your library’s website before visiting.
Once you are signed up, take some time to explore instead of heading straight back out the door. Browse the shelves, look at the upcoming event calendar, ask about digital resources, or find out what programs are available. Your new library card should introduce you to something you never knew your local library offered.
Library Cards Have Gotten a Makeover
Of course, we must talk about the actual card too. Library cards have become a fun way for libraries to show off their personality and connect with their communities. From colorful artwork and local landmarks to community themes and unique branding, the design itself can reflect the people and places the library serves.
Some libraries even hold library card design contests, inviting local artists, students, and community members to submit their artwork that can eventually become a real card. Others offer several designs for patrons to choose from, or create different designs for children, teens, and adultsIt is a fun way for libraries to showcase their personalities while giving patrons a card they want to keep in their wallets.
The traditional card is not the only option either. Many libraries pair a traditional library card with a smaller key tag featuring the same account information. Giving patrons another convenient way to access their library account when they are on the go. making it even easier for patrons to keep their library information with them.
The next time you sign up or renew your card, look at the designs your library offers. You might have more choices than you expect.
Celebrating Library Card Sign Up Month
This September, celebrate Library Card Sign Up Month by visiting your local library and signing up for a card. If you already have one, pull it back out and see what is new. Check out a book, download an audiobook, attend an event, explore a digital resource, or bring along someone who does not have a card yet.
While you are there, take a close look at the card itself too. From creative need designs to convenient key tags, today’s library cards can have a little more personality than you might remember. More importantly, that small card connects you to resources, technology, information, entertainment, and a community that is ready to welcome you in.
