Library celebrates National Library Card Sign-up Month

Throughout the month of September, the Garland County Library will offer various ways to celebrate National Library Card Sign-up Month.

Today, the library will host Patron Appreciation Day, offering pastries, coffee and juice to those in attendance, while supplies last.

Throughout the month the library is also hosting a Blu-ray player giveaway. To enter, patrons should visit the library’s front desk and fill out a form explaining why they love their library. Forms should be turned in by noon Sept. 29. The library has a growing collection of around 1,000 critically acclaimed titles on Blu-ray Disc available for checkout for one week at a time, a news release said. As with most library items, checking out a Blu-ray or DVD is free of charge as part of a library membership.

Free replacement library cards will also be given to any existing patron with an account in good standing. A first-time library card is always free to any qualifying Garland or Saline County resident.

“In the time frame of just one year, the library had over 330,000 unique visits and nearly 900,000 items borrowed. Thanking the public for their impressive and continuing support, even if it’s just one doughnut at a time, is important to all of us library staff members. Stay tuned for many exciting developments in the future,” said Paul Kagebein, the library’s adult services programmer.

All interested Garland or Saline County residents can take advantage of National Library Card Sign-up Month to apply for a card at Garland County Library. A driver’s license updated with a current address located in either county is all that is required to apply.

Call 623-4161 or 501-922-4483, or visit http://www.gclibrary.com to view requirements or other information.

The Garland County Library offers everything from the latest best-sellers and blockbusters to fishing poles and high-speed Wi-Fi to scanning services and public meeting rooms available for reservation. The library also frequently hosts programs and events for all ages, including educational classes, book clubs, bingo, concerts, movies and more.

“A library card connects you to all of that and hundreds of other services you don’t realize you need until you need them,” said assistant director Adam Webb. “That’s exactly why our motto is ‘Your Connection Point.’”