Were You Carded at the Library?

September was Library Card Sign-Up Month and we celebrated in a big way at the Library—we issued 97 new cards, and 44 more were replaced for free! Staff designed and made buttons for patrons to take, and we gave away 166 of those. By far the most popular design among all ages was the dinosaur button that said “My Library Card will never be extinct!” We agree with that, too!

Kids participated in a game to guess how many books are in the Children’s Library (30,381!). The lucky winners—in order of who came the closest—were George, Gabriella, Hailey, Ryan, John, and Arnav. Each child received a Michele Arnhold Children’s Library tote bag. And the winner of the big jar of candy in the Teen Library was Michaela—who came closest to guessing how many rolls of Smarties were in the jar (183!).

Of course, everyone who came in for their new or replaced Bethel Public Library card was a winner!

So, what’s in your wallet? We think the most valuable card you can carry is your library card. And although the September celebration is over, you can still get yours for free anytime, although replacements now are $2. With your library card you can download audiobooks, e-books, music, and streaming video movies and TV; access research databases, including Ancestry Plus; and log on to Library public computers—both PCs and Macs; not to mention the ability to borrow books and audiovisual materials! If you haven’t already done so, come in and get carded at the Bethel Public Library and discover a whole new world of resources—free to you with your library card.