Libraries celebrate Library Card Sign-up Month

CHICAGO — September is Library Card Sign-up Month. Throughout the month libraries across the country have been working hard to remind parents and caregivers that a library is the most important school supply children and teens can have in achieving academic success.

Here are just a few examples of what libraries are doing to promote Library Card Sign-up Month.

In honor of Library Card Sign-up Month the Ridgefield (Conn.) Library is soliciting artwork for several “vanity” library card designs. The library received more than 85 entries, which judges narrowed down to five winners based on age categories. The designs have also been displayed for library users to select a People’s Choice winner by voting online or in person throughout the month.

During September, children who get their first Indian Prairie Public Library (Darien, Ill.) card receive a newly designed card just for kids, a kid-sized book bag and a souvenir photo. The photos are also displayed on a digital photo frame. Not to leave out adult patrons, the library offers a daily drawing for an insulated tumbler for any adult library user who uses, renews or gets a library card in September.

Prince George’s Memorial Library System of Hyattsville, Md. recently adapted ALA’s 60 Ways to Use Your Library Card to promote their libraries' services. The library system also created Living it UP! @ your library, a video designed to both celebrate Library Card Sign-up Month and encourage children and teens to check out the resources that are available to them with a library card.

Capital Area District Libraries of Lansing, Mich. has been running a #ShowYourCard campaign throughout the month of September. Throughout the month when library users show their card at local businesses they will receive discounts and free items. The library also encourages library users to show off their cards on social media using the hashtag #ShowYourCard.

Due to its large juvenile population, each year the Loudoun County (Va.) Public Library places a special emphasis on reaching the youth in the community during National Library Card Sign-Up Month and reminding them that having and using a library card is essential to academic success. Each year the library hosts a thematic library card treasure hunt. This year’s theme is Under the Sea: Dive into Reading, and allows for children and families to explore the “treasures of their library.” More than 1,500 children participate each year. Additionally, throughout the month the library participates in a community fairs and other community events where residents can to sign up and receive a library card. The library also promotes the importance of reading with its one 1book 1community program that will also launch during Library Card Sign-up Month, during which the library will distribute more than 9,000 copies of its adult titles and 5,000 of its children’s books.

For libraries still looking to promote Library Card Sign-up Month, free downloadable tools are available through the Library Card Sign-up Month website. Tools include downloadable print public service announcements (PSAs) featuring the Chicago Bulls’ Luol Deng and Disney’s Princess Belle, as well audio PSAs, a sample press release, PSA scripts and proclamation.

Library Card Sign-up Month is a time when libraries across the country remind parents that a library card is the most important school supply of all. Thousands of public and school libraries join together each fall in a national effort to ensure every child signs up for a library card.

The Campaign for America’s is Libraries is the ALA’s public awareness campaign that promotes the value of libraries and librarians. Thousands of libraries of all types – across the country and around the globe - use the Campaign’s @ your library® brand. The Campaign is made possible in part by ALA’s Library Champions.