**Library Card Sign-Up Month**

I absolutely, positively love my library. Yes, I have my library card number memorized and can state exactly when it’s open. This little card is your passport to endless knowledge.

The library opens up so many possibilities to individuals and the community. It’s a shame that so many libraries in the United States faced with economic troubles have closed. My own city closed two libraries. It is during challenging times that individuals most use their public library. The library provides résumé workshops, job search tutorials, technology support, guest speaker seminars, research on computers, and much more. It’s a safe place where individuals interact with the community and gain information. At the library you can learn a new language, listen to audio books, sample new music, complete homework, catch up on the latest DVDs, attend book readings, participate in summer reading programs, listen to story hour, socialize during teen activities, watch monthly movies, and  provide endless reading materials. The best part of the library is that all these activities are FREE for EVERYONE.

September is library card sign up month. The process couldn’t be more simple to get a pass for all materials at your finger tips. Most libraries you need to be at least age 5 and can write your name. Normally, children thirteen and younger need parent or guardian permission. You also need to present some proof of residency. Here are some links that promote library card sign up month and information about libraries.

http://atyourlibrary.org is a wonderful site that gives you overall information about everything you can do at the library, how to use your library, locate a library, reasons to use a library, and additional information such as individual’s connections to the library. (For example, author readings and guests such as Julie Andrews who provide comments about the library.)

http://atyourlibrary.org/september-national-library-card-sign-month-american-public-libraries

Library Association (ALA) provides a brief overall of the event.

http://www.ala.org/ala/conferencesevents/celebrationweeks/card/index.cfm

The readwritethink organization link provides numerous activities, classroom resources, event description, and additional links.

http://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/calendar-activities/library-card-sign-month-20285.htm

This is a cute Arthur cartoon video about all the fun that you can have at your library.

In an earlier post, I gave a book description for Library Lion by Michelle Knudsen and illustrated by Kevin Hawkes. I think it’s a great introduction for younger ages to become excited about the library. I added the link, so you don’t have to search for it.

https://passion2read.wordpress.com/2011/08/09/did-you-hear-the-roar-at-the-library/

The message is clear: get your library card today. It’s almost silly not to get a card, since it’s so easy to obtain. Enjoy all the wonderful materials and resources for FREE!!!