The Trentonian (Trenton, NJ)

Library card outweighs by tons any free empty book bag

- L.A. Parker L.A. Parker is a Trentonian columnist. Find him on Twitter @LAParker6 or email him at LAParker@Trentonian.com.

A reader named Myron sent an email with this informatio­n. “Rapper 50 Cent and His current girlfriend Camden native, Jamira Haines, were at Coopers Point School in Camden handing out Backpacks. I’m glad that I forwarded my photos to WPVI and they used them since there was no major media coverage of this.”

Book bags aka back packs become raged events in September as a new school year begins with high hopes for learning success.

These giveaways cause chuckles as people queue or sign up for freebies. No such persistenc­e or perseveran­ce would exist if there were free book giveaways.

A book? Stand in line for a paperback copy of Baldwin, DuBois, Montero or Marías? Wait around for Alice In Wonderland or Dr. Seuss? Oh, The Places (One Could) Go if reading a good book, or several, became part of the urban education experience.

Free book bags hardly outweigh a free library card at the Trenton Free Public Library. A person holding that card receives a passport into a wonderful world of knowledge.

Free book bags? Here’s an easy pop-quiz. What’s inside most of these gifts? Nada. Nothing. Zilch. Step inside the Trenton Free Public Library on Academy St. — the lone city library after four shuttered a decade ago — holding a library card and tens of thousands of books, movies, CDs, and other items become available.

There’s microfilm, newspapers and up to three hours of computer use daily. Bet you didn’t know that a cardholder can checkout a maximum of 25 items, including 4 DVDS and 5 CDs.

Library card holders can receive free passes to Grounds For Sculpture and The Old Barracks Museum. That’s grounds for rushing over to Academy St.

Anyone that is a resident of Trenton, owns property in Trenton, works in Trenton or goes to school in Trenton may receive an adult library card upon completion of an applicatio­n and provision of proof of identifica­tion (ID) and current address.

Acceptable photo ID and proof of current address shall be one or more of the following: Valid driver’s license or other government issued Photo ID with current address; Mercer County Area Community ID Card; Utility bill; Printed checks; Property tax statement; Canceled mail, postmarked within the last two weeks; Typed lease that shows the address or a Department of Motor Vehicles-issued change of address card.

The Library notes that acceptable proof of employment in Trenton shall be a recent verificati­on of employment letter or pay stub. All veterans are eligible for a free Library Card with proper documentat­ion.

People who do not Live, Work or Learn in Trenton may receive a library card with full borrowing privileges by completing the above steps and, in addition, paying an annual $75 fee ($10 for Senior Citizens).

Anyone under the age of 18 can receive a juvenile card after completing a “Youth TFPL Card Applicatio­n” and securing the signature of his/her parent or legal guardian. Children must be present in order to apply for a library card.

Emancipate­d minors who have proof of their court ordered emancipati­on, may receive an adult card without parental consent.

In other words, TFPL makes access incredibly easy for people in search of knowledge, excitement, activities and fun.

By the way, Trenton Free Public Library distribute­d more than 200 library cards during the Trenton Board of Education “Back To School Extravagan­za.”

Two-hundred-and-eleven, according to newly-named Library Director Rebecca Franco-Martin.

So, head over to the Trenton Free Public Library with your free backpack or book bag and fill it up with books, CDs, movies, etc.

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 ?? L.A. PARKER - THE TRENTONIAN ?? (Left-to-right) Trenton Free Public Library librarian Jungwon Devone, Eboni Love, a library assistant, and Akira Harris, a library page, signed up more than 200 students and adults for library cards during the Trenton Board of Education “Back To School Extravagan­za.”
L.A. PARKER - THE TRENTONIAN (Left-to-right) Trenton Free Public Library librarian Jungwon Devone, Eboni Love, a library assistant, and Akira Harris, a library page, signed up more than 200 students and adults for library cards during the Trenton Board of Education “Back To School Extravagan­za.”
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