On the Same Page: September is Library Card Sign Up Month

By: 
Reedsburg Public Library staff

Reedsburg Public Library Circulation Supervisor Alyssa Diaz de Leon displays library cards and swag available for Library Card Sign Up month. (Submitted photo)

This week marks the first full week of Youth Services programming for the fall, and a time to make sure that you and your children are taking advantage of the many free programs offered for children ages 0 through 17.

Full details can be found at the library’s website at www.reedsburglibrary.org. The library is also celebrating Library Card Sign Up month, with stickers for kids, and cool library swag for adults who register for a card this month.

Since 1987, the American Library Association has observed September as Library Card Sign Up Month, a natural choice as students get back to school. However, you can get a library card at any time of the year!

Adults simply fill out a brief application at the front desk, and present photo identification and proof of current address to get a card. Children are required to have a parent’s signature on their application, as well as a parent present with a photo ID. Teachers in the area who wish to have a separate account for their classroom books may obtain a teacher card with their school ID, and teacher card application signed by the principal.

These days, a library card allows for not only the physical checking out of materials, but access to online information resources, and downloadable ebooks and audiobooks as well. Go to the Research Resources tab on the library’s website (www.reedsburglibrary.org) to access a number of information databases of interest to students and teachers. Resources such as Encyclopedia Britannica and EbscoHost, a full text magazine database, are located here. Simply click on the resource and type in your library card number to get started.

You don’t have to be a student or teacher to take advantage of online resources. The library also subscribes to the electronic version of Consumer Reports, AtoZ Databases (an online business and address directory), and Transparent Languages (language learning lessons) for the benefit of our users. These resources can be accessed from home by clicking on the Research Resources tab and again typing in your library card number when prompted. The Ancestry database is the only one that must be used in the library, however, it offers the same information as the commercially advertised product, free of charge.

A library card is also your passport to obtaining free downloadable ebooks, audiobooks, music and movies without subscribing to a commercial service! Libby, the free Wisconsin Digital Library App, can be downloaded to your Apple or Android device. When you enter your card number and name of the library you will have access to thousands of titles. Ten may be downloaded each month. The library also subscribes to Hoopla, a similar service which has the advantage of no waiting lists, since the library pays for each individual download of a title. Again, your library card is the key to getting access to this resource. On Monday, September 23, Assistant Library Director Caitlin Opatik will host a Tech Help session on using these apps.

For questions about obtaining a library card, or any library service or resource, call the library at 608-768-READ (7323) or email info@reedsburglibrary.org.