Library Card Sign-up Month 2025 is coming to a close, and we saw libraries across the country all over television news programs touting the incredible worlds of wonder and learning that can be opened with just a library card.
Samantha Bonnette from Shreve Memorial Library in Shreveport, Louisiana, was visited by KSLA News 12 to discuss the benefits of having a library card.
“Library cards are amazing,” Bonnette said. “Of course, library cards give you the ability to check out books and materials from the library. But beyond the books, library cards give you access to wonderful programs so you can learn new skills [and] explore your hobbies. You can interact with neighbors in your community. It also gives you access to online databases and resources [and] free homework help. We have LiveOnline and tutoring. You can stream videos and movies and TV shows for free with a library card through services such as Hoopla and Libby. There are so many things you can do with the library card.”
Ashley Toole from Ozark-Dale County (Ala.) Library stopped by WTVY’s Morning Mingle to urge viewers to sign up for a library card and support their local libraries.
“Local libraries are really important,” Toole said. “If you don’t support the libraries, libraries will start to go away. That’s a lot of missed information. We have a huge genealogy department. I can’t tell you how many people come in every day just to look up their family history. That’s a lot of information you’ll lose if you don’t support our local libraries.”
Scott Williams from San Antonio Public Library (SAPL) was on-set at KENS5’s Great Day SA to talk up all the wonderful things available to SAPL library card holders year-round.
“You can sign up for a library card anytime during the year, but why not go in September when everybody is running to the library to get a library card,” Williams said. “Of course everyone knows about books—we have tons of books. I love our digital resources … We have a streaming service called Kanopy that has more content than all the other streaming services combined.”
Wendy Mills from Spectrum News 1 visited Monroe County (N.Y.) Public Library to learn about how the library is “way more than just borrowing books.” She discovered science and health kits, park admission passes, CPR classes, seeds for gardening, sewing machines, video games, mobile Wi-Fi units, and even musical instruments—all available to check out with a library card.
“We’re getting a library card. It’s free and easy to do. They say it’s ‘one card with endless possibilities,’” she said echoing the official motto of Library Card Sign-up Month 2025.
And just this week, Mary Davis-Fourner, executive director of the Public Library Association, a division of the American Library Association (ALA), visited WGN Chicago’s Daytime Chicago to discuss the plethora of things—from kites to xylophones to ice cream makers to basketballs—that are available to check out at libraries.
Check it out below.
Library Card Sign-up Month started in 1987 as a response to then-Secretary of Education William Bennett, who stated, “Let’s have a campaign … Every child should obtain a library card and use it.” You can learn more about the history of this beloved celebration in the fascinating story, “A Library Card for Every Child: Library Card Sign-Up Month,” at the ALA Archives.
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