More and more libraries are using library cards to gain even further community engagement by holding library card design contests and by partnering with local organizations, sports teams, and national brands to create designs.
Here are some of our favorites that have been unveiled this Library Card Sign-up Month.
My sister recently texted me, “The local library near the park just reserved a room with internet connection for me even though I’m not a resident. LIBRARIES ARE AMAZING!”
She had been arranging a road trip to introduce her first grandson to members of the family, which included stops in multiple cities across the Midwest. Breaking the long car ride up with a stop at a national park seemed like a solid approach for keeping everyone, but most importantly, a 3-year-old in good spirits. But how to accommodate the daughter-in-law’s scheduled online class? Local library to the rescue.
Now, the fact that libraries are amazing is a commonly held belief in my family. We are all lifelong prolific library users. But my sister was genuinely surprised that a small-town library was so accommodating to someone who wasn’t even a local resident.
When you think of a library, the first thing that likely comes to mind is rows upon rows of books, waiting to be explored. And while libraries are indeed sanctuaries for book lovers, offering everything from the latest bestsellers to timeless classics, they have evolved far beyond their traditional role as mere repositories of literature. Today’s libraries are dynamic community hubs, brimming with resources, services, and opportunities that cater to the diverse needs of everyone in the community. If you haven’t visited your local library lately, you’re missing out on a treasure trove of offerings that extend far beyond the printed page.
During Library Card Sign-up Month, we’ve been asking people to try something new at their library and tell us about it. Here are some of the responses we’ve received so far.
“I checked out a pickleball kit with my library card. My daughter and I played pickleball for the first time and loved it! I love my library!”
Beth from North Carolina
“Our Library started an a.maz.ing collection called “But wait there’s more!” that includes power tools, games, musical instruments, household and tech items and more! I checked out a cricut machine and got a tutorial from one of our crafty librarians and used it to create labels for glassware. So proud of myself! Def will not quit my day job to become a crafter but thrilled I could see what all the fuss is about. YAY Libraries!”
Elizabeth from New Jersey
“…we went traveling utilizing VR glasses. What a trip…visited Florence, London and New York. A library is more than just books to this lifelong learner and my Library Card is my most valuable possession.”
Sandra from Wisconsin
“I took my first knitting class, it was so fun!”
Tina from Massachusetts
“I tried something new- checking out seeds to plant! I got some lavender and some vegetables. If planting/harvesting go well, the library only asks that we dry some seeds and take those to the library. So neat!”
Katelyn from California
Some library lovers told us that they checked out an audiobook for the first time, streamed music, tried chair yoga, and attended Zumba sessions. Others took classes in coding, Portuguese, how to use the library’s 3D printer, and more. We don’t know what your local library offers, but we think it’s worth exploring. Libraries today have programs, services, and some seriously cool stuff – all designed to make your life better in so many ways.
Have you tried something new at your library? Tell us about it during September for the chance to win!
Photo credits:
1. Pickleball Courts 2021 by Marilyn Stone. for Montgomery Parks, MNCPPC. Used under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
2. Cricut machine by factorf2, used under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license (CC BY-SA 2.0)
3. Florence, Italy. Photo from Jonathan Körner jonko, CC0, Wikimedia Commons, posted under Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication.
4. Learning to Knit. Photo courtesy of Tina from Massachusetts.
5. Seed library at Baraboo (WI) Library by Jessamyn West. Used under Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic ( CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 )
“Libraries are pretty dope places, especially because you can read comics for free,” said Eisner Award-nominated comic artist Jorge Corona (Transformers, No. 1 With A Bullet, Big Trouble in Little China) in a special message recorded for us to celebrate Library Card Sign-up Month.
It’s Library Card Sign-Up Month! This year, we’ve teamed up with the TRANSFORMERS to encourage people everywhere to roll out to their library and sign up for a library card. Here are a few ways you can participate.
The American Library Association is teaming up with Skybound and Hasbro’s TRANSFORMERS to encourage people to roll out to their libraries.
Carol Gans of Claverack Free Library in New York is the Grand Prize Winner: A Disney gift card ($150.00 USD value) and a one-year subscription to Disney+ Premium ($109.99 USD value). Carol’s favorite library element is the staff!
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Second Prize winners receive their choice of one ALA Graphics poster. Three winners were selected in the random drawing. Only two are being announced because we’ve had some trouble contacting the third via social media. Check your notifications on social media; you may be our missing winner. If we don’t hear back from the third winner within the next week, we’ll draw another name from the spreadsheet of entries.
Winners Kim Armstrong and Rachel Neff both know how to make the most of their library cards!
When I’m ready to start a new read, I start the search with @hoopladigital and @LibbyApp from my library before checking out @audible#HowILibrary #readingisfundamental pic.twitter.com/6kmyDAVwOu— Kim Armstrong (@karmstr112) September 3, 2023
Last but not least, many thanks to all the authors that told us how they library during Library Card Sign-up Month, including Meg Medina, Mo Willems, Kelly Yang, Brad Meltzer, Bill Konigsberg, Lily Williams, Jerry Craft, Kwame Mbalia, Jenna Lee-Yun, Jason June, and all the comics creators that participated in the ALA Graphic Novels and Comics Round Table #CreatorsGetCarded project.
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It’s a crisp legal pad and a Pilot Precise v5 at the library type of day. Who’s writing?#HowILibrary pic.twitter.com/cBrLLY5oaf— Kwame the Gr8 (@KSekouM) September 8, 2023
Libraries changed my life. I am living, walking proof in the power of libraries! Sept is #LibraryCardSignUpMonth and this is #HowILibrary! ❤️???????? @ALALibrary #FrontDesk #FinallySeen pic.twitter.com/fg6NtiPLHv— Kelly Yang (@kellyyanghk) September 16, 2023
New York Times-bestselling author Brad Meltzer credits a librarian with unlocking a word of wonder in him as a child and changing his life forever. He shared his story on social media this Library Card Sign-up Month (using the #HowILibrary hashtag) and has allowed us to share it here. It’s a wonderful memory.
It’s Library Card Sign-Up Month (LCSUM)! Held each September, LCSUM is an annual reminder that library cards empower individuals and communities by providing free access to technology, multimedia content, educational programming, and much more. A library card opens a world of learning for everyone and is one of the most cost-effective back-to-school supplies available.
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