Thursday, September 10, 2009

We Want You! Do you have a library card?

As you might have read in the Plain Dealer, September is library card sign-up month. The American Library Association and public libraries around the county are promoting the importance of having a library card particularly for children. Libraries play an important role in the education and development of children. According to the American Library Association, studies show that children who are read to in the home and who use the library perform better in school and are more likely to continue to use the library as a source of lifetime learning. Thus, my question to you is this. Do you have library card regardless of where you live? If you have a child or children, does he or she have a library card? If not, why not? If you like books, love to read, listen to music, or watch movies, there is not a better deal than with a public library card. If you live in or own property in the city of Wabash, there is no charge or fee to get a library card and you are opening up yourself to utilizing a great collection of books, DVDs, magazines, CDs, audio books, etc.

A library card opens up one to so many worlds of literature and life. One never knows what will come from having and using a library card. The testimonies of famous people about the importance of libraries and having a library card have been documented. The following are a couple of quotes from the American Library Association’s ilovelibraries.org website (http://www.ilovelibraries.org/libarycard). Playwright and filmmaker Luis Valdez said “The library (in the migrant community) I grew up in was the only link to the outside world”. Actor John Goodman said “When I was young, we couldn't afford much. But, my library card was the key to my world”. If you are interested in more quotes from well-known or famous people, one can find them at the ilovelibraries.org website by the American Library Association. As Honorary Chair of Library Sign-up month Candace Parker states, “The Library card is the smartest card in my wallet”

If you do not live in the city of Wabash or have property, there is a non-resident fee charged for a library card. Still, the access to the materials whether books, DVDs, etc makes it a great deal. If you do not have a library card, stop by the Wabash Carnegie Public Library or any public library and get a library card for you and your family. It is a worthwhile investment that can have lasting impacts.