September is Library Card Sign-up Month, and the Moorestown Library is looking forward to welcoming new cardholders who will surely see all that the library has to offer.
“Everybody knows that you can check out books with a library card, but not everyone knows about all of our digital services that we have,” said Jen Dunne, the library’s Head of Youth Services. “There’s just always something new, and there’s so many free services that we like to remind everybody of the value of having a library card.”
Besides all the books to borrow, a library card provides free access to museum passes; hotspots; learning tablets; talking books; activity packs for kids and adults; one-on-one tech help; Notary Public (an official appointed by a state government to serve the public as an impartial witness in administering oaths and performing other official acts when important documents are signed); digital access to the New York Times and The Wall Street Journal; online coding programs; online tutoring; online test and career prep services; and eBooks, digital audiobook and downloadable movies and music.
Library Card Sign-up Month, launched by the American Library Association in 1987, is a national campaign that emphasizes the importance of library cards to a child’s education and to combat illiteracy. The campaign started as a response to then Secretary of Education, William Bennett, who stated, ‘Let’s have a campaign … Every child should obtain a library card and use it.’
“It’s nice to have a month that’s set aside to encourage people to get and use (their) library card,” Dunne said. “We have so many new residents here in Moorestown, with our new housing communities, so we’re really hoping to reach our new residents, especially, and make sure that they know that the library is (here) for them, and we’re excited to meet them here.”
A child of any age can be signed up for a Moorestown Library card. With the library’s Baby Time, Toddler Time and Story Time programs, early literacy activities, and a big collection of durable board books, it’s never too early to introduce little ones to the joys of reading and learning. All students enrolled in school in Moorestown, including preschools and private schools, can get a free library card, as well as anyone who works or owns a business in town.
Four years ago, the library went fine-free. The library will charge a person’s account for the replacement cost of a book once it is 28 days overdue, but will remove the charge from the account as soon as the person returns the book.
“This has been a great way of lifting barriers so that everyone can use the library,” Dunne said of the library’s fine-free policy. “That’s given a lot of people more freedom and flexibility to use the library to feel comfortable taking out books and to not be so worried about watching the calendar and worrying about the due dates and about fines adding up.”
To sign up for a library card, visit www.moorestownlibrary.org and click Get a Library Card to complete the application online, then come to the library at your convenience to pick up your card. Beginning Sept. 13, the library will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays.
“It’s just wonderful to be able to provide wonderful service and wonderful materials to everyone who walks in the door,” Dunne said. “The community has been so responsive in their support of the library.”
The Moorestown Library held its 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten Party on Sept. 2 for the community’s littlest readers. Here is a photo from last year’s celebration.
