Get carded @ your library for Library Card Sign-Up Month

Contact: Paige Wasson/Larra Clark


312-280-4393/5043

For Immediate Release


July 2002

Get carded @ your library for Library Card Sign-Up Month

Can you name the one item that gives you access to nearly everything on the Web and in print and provides personal assistance to help you find what you're looking for? It's your library card. This year the American Library Association (ALA) is reminding you to
Get carded @ your library and enjoy all the important things a library card gives you access to.

"Today's libraries are dynamic, modern community centers for education, information and entertainment," said ALA President Maurice J. (Mitch) Freedman. "And librarians are the ultimate search engine, helping you and your family find what you need for your health, jobs and other needs."

Celebrated throughout the month of September, National Library Card Sign-up Month encourages people to check out what's new at their library by signing up for a library card. Libraries today offer more than just books - they have videos, CDs, computers, Internet access and more. Libraries are also dynamic community centers; many have coffee shops, homework centers, book discussion exhibits, musical performances, story hours and other programs for children and adults. And librarians are on hand to help recommend materials suitable for various ages and interests and teach critical information literacy skills - the skills to find, use and evaluate information in all formats. For more information visit the
Library Card Sign-up Month Web site.

Observed since 1987, Library Card Sign-up Month is a time when ALA and libraries across the country remind parents that a library card is the most important school supply of all. Studies show that children who are read to in the home and who use the library perform better in school and are more likely to continue to use the library as a source of lifetime learning.