Director’s Thoughts – 4/12/2024

It’s National Library Week! And what I’ve realized is that there are so many people who don’t realize just how easy it is to get a library card. So, today’s PSA as a public library director is to teach you how easy it is to get a library card and what you can use it for! Now, this can be very dependent based on where your home library is, but in general, most of the basic instructions are going to be the same.

Identify Your Home Library

The first step is to identify your home library. Your home library is typically where your taxes support the library or what township/borough/town you live in. Once you identify your home library, take a look on their website because you may be able to fill out your application online and get your library card number pretty quickly. Now, you might still need to stop in to show your idenitifcation/home address, but it’s a quick check and you’re on your way.

Reciprocal Library Use

While you’re at the library ask about reciprocal memberships at other area libraries or if your state offers memberships to larger libraries regardless of where you live within the state. In Pennsylvania, I can have access to my home library, plus once I get my “home” library, I can use my card at any other public library in the state. Plus, I can also get a library card at both the Free Library of Philadelphia and the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh (even though I don’t live in either of those areas).

Library Resources

Public libraries have a ton of access to really great stuff! Yes, you can check out physical books, but also see about audiobooks, movies, music, and more. And don’t forget that public libraries also provide you access to online materials – books, streaming moves and TV shows, music, magazines, and audiobooks. I’m still amazed by how many people don’t realize what you can check out of the library.

And don’t forget access to things like online resources – language learning, Consumer reports, daily newspapers, and so much more! You can often also check out things like cake pans, power tools, toys, board games, museum passes, and sewing machines. See what your local library has and if they don’t have what you’re looking for? Ask, they may be working on something or in need of community support to get a new collection created!

All of this is available to you for free as a taxpayer! So, don’t delay, get your local public library card today!