library card
Celebrate Library Card Sign-Up Month!
September is National Library Sign-up Month. Oh I’ve had a city library card for years, which I frequently use. Yesterday, I received my library card for my entire county. Hopefully, I’ll get books faster on two waiting lists. There were two women in front of me also getting library cards that sparked the excitement even more. I simply presented my driver’s license as proof of residency and I was given my new magical library card. Of course it’s magical since it has so many uses. I probably picked the card geared for children, yet it made me smile and states ‘I’m a born reader!’. My fingers glided over the simple plastic card and I smiled as I thought of the possibilities.
How do I get a library card?
You need to present a current photo ID and proof residency. Some libraries grant temporary cards for students and visitors. Children 14 and younger can also receive a library card with a parent/guardian signature.
What can I do at the library?
- Get to know your librarian, the ultimate search engine @ your library.
- Update your Facebook page.
- Research new job opportunities.
- Find a list of childcare centers in your area.
- Learn about local candidates for office.
- Pick up voter registration information.
- Check out your favorite graphic novel.
- Pick up a DVD.
- Get wireless access.
- Participate in a community forum.
- Find out how to navigate the Internet.
- Prepare your resume.
- Get new ideas for redecorating your house.
- Get a list of community organizations.
- Attend a lecture or workshop.
- Hear a local author reading his/her latest novel.
- Join a book discussion group.
- Attend preschool story hour with your child.
- Get homework help.
- Look up all kinds of health information.
- Research the purchase of a new car.
- Trek to another planet in a Sci-Fi novel.
- Call the reference desk if you have a question.
- Research your term paper.
- Learn about the history or your city or town.
- Decide which computer to buy using a consumer guide.
- Check your stock portfolio.
- Read a newspaper from another country.
- Borrow or download an audiobook for your next road trip or commute.
- Use the library’s resources to start a small business.
- See a new art exhibit.
- Volunteer as a literacy tutor.
- Find a new recipe.
- Ask for a recommended reading list for your kids.
- Make photocopies.
- Get a book from interlibrary loan.
- Enroll your child in a summer reading program.
- Take a computer class.
- Hear a poetry reading.
- Take out the latest fashion magazine.
- Enjoy a concert.
- Trace your family tree.
- Check out a special collection of rare books.
- Check out a legal question or issue.
- Find out how to file a consumer complaint.
- Learn about home improvement.
- Borrow some sheet music.
- Learn how to use a database or computerized catalog.
- Find the latest romance paperback.
- Pick up tax forms.
- Connect with other people in the community.
- Find a quiet spot, curl up with a book and enjoy.
Many of these activities don’t require a library card, so you can still participate. These are just a few ideas to fully use your library!
Check out these sites to learn more about how to get the most from your library.
http://www.ilovelibraries.org/
http://www.ala.org/ (American Library Association)
52 Ways to Use Your Library Card
There are 52 items on this list for ways to use your library card, which makes it one idea for each week of the year. I didn’t create this list, but it’s a good general idea. I’m sure you can think of many more wonderful ways you can use your library card. So get out there and enjoy your library!
1. Get to know your librarian, the ultimate search engine @ your library. 2. Browse your favorite Web site(s).3. Plan your next vacation.
4. Find a list of childcare centers in your area.
5. Learn about local candidates for office.
6. Pick up voter registration information.
7. Reserve the latest mystery.
8. Pick up a video.
9. Listen to a classical CD.
10. Participate in a community forum.
11. Find out how to navigate the Internet.
12. Prepare your resume.
13. Get new ideas for redecorating your house.
14. Get a list of community organizations.
15. Attend a lecture or workshop.
16. Hear a local author reading his/her latest novel.
17. Join a book discussion group.
18. Attend preschool story hour with your child.
19. Get homework help.
20. Look up all kinds of health information 21. Research the purchase of a new car.
22. Trek to another planet in a Sci-Fi novel.
23. Call the reference desk if you have a question.
24. Research your term paper.
25. Learn about the history or your city or town.
26. Decide which computer to buy using a consumer guide.
27. Check your stock portfolio.
28. Read a newspaper from another country. 29. Borrow an audiobook for your next road trip. 30. Use the library’s resources to start a small business. 31. See a new art exhibit.
32. Volunteer as a literacy tutor.
33. Find a new recipe.
34. Ask for a recommended reading list for your kids.
35. Make photocopies.
36. Get a book from interlibrary loan.
37. Enroll your child in a summer reading program.
38. Take a computer class.
39. Hear a poetry reading.
40. Take out the latest fashion magazine.
41. Enjoy a concert.
42. Trace your family tree.
43. Check out a special collection of rare books.
44. Check out a legal question or issue.
45. Find out how to file a consumer complaint.
46. Get nostalgic by looking at old magazines.
47. Borrow some sheet music.
48. Learn how to use a database or computerized catalog.
49. Find the latest romance paperback.
50. Pick up tax forms.
51. Get some Internet training.
52. Find a quiet spot, curl up with a book and enjoy.
My Library Card is Valuable Because…
September is a fabulous month for libraries. (Every month is a wonderful month for libraries.) September is library card sign-up month. American Library Association along with other organizations are promoting the library and obtaining a library card. Individuals submit a photo of themselves or with family and show why your library card is so important. Along with the photo the individual states why their library card is so valuable. There will then be a random drawing and a lucky individual will win a Target gift card (U.S. residents only). Adults, children, and even the family dog can be in the photo as long as the library is somehow promoted. Click HERE to submit a photo.
52 Ways to use your library card
Hopefully, you’re inspired from yesterday’s post and quickly signed up for your library card. The American Library Association created this list of 52 ways to use your library card. So go ahead and explore your library to its fullest.
52 Ways to Use Your Library Card
(for each week of the year)
1. Take the kids to see a free movie.
2. Download an e-book.
3. Update your Facebook page.
4. Learn about job seeking resources.
5. Find a list of childcare centers in your
area.
6. Learn about local candidates for office.
7. Pick up voter registration information.
8. Check out your favorite graphic novel.
9. Pick up a DVD.
10. Get free wireless access.
11. Attend a family game night.
12. Attend a resume writing workshop.
13. Get new ideas for redecorating your house.
14. Attend a family crafts workshop.
15. Attend a lecture or workshop.
16. Hear a local author reading his/her latest novel.
17. Book a meeting room for your club or community organization.
18. Attend preschool story hour with your child.
19. Get help with homework.
20. Look up all kinds of health information.
21. Start a parents and teens book club.
22. Trek to another planet in a Sci-Fi novel.
23. Take a cooking class.
24. Research your term paper.
25. Learn about the history or your city or town.
26. Decide which computer to buy using a consumer guide.
27. Explore new opportunities and research
technical schools, community colleges and
universities.
28. Borrow or download an audiobook for your next road trip or commute.
29. Use the library’s resources to start a small business.
30. See a new art exhibit.
31. Volunteer as a literacy tutor.
32. Broaden your world by checking out cookbooks of foods from other cultures.
33. Ask for a recommended reading list for your kids.
34. Learn a new language with books or online databases.
35. Get a book from interlibrary loan.
36. Enroll your child in a summer reading program.
37. Take a computer class.
38. Find a new hobby.
39. Take out the latest fashion magazine.
40. Enjoy a concert.
41. Trace your family tree.
42. Check out a special collection of rare books.
43. Investigate a legal questioner issue.
44. Follow your friends on Twitter.
45. Learn about home improvement.
46. Borrow some sheet music.
47. Take a class on how to use your new digital device.
48. Get involved – join you library’s Friends group or teen advisory board.
49. Pick up tax forms.
50. Connect with other people in the community.
51. Find a quiet spot, curl up with a book and enjoy.
52. Take a fitness class.
