The Division of Libraries, Archives and Museums will celebrate National Library Card Sign-Up Month. The annual occasion is a time when the Virgin Islands Public Libraries join with the American Library Association (ALA) nationwide to ensure that every student has the most important school supply of all – a free library card, according to a press release from the V.I. Department of Natural Resources.
This year, nationwide, Snoopy, the world-famous beagle, who has been known as The Flying Ace, The Masked Marvel and Man’s Best Friend, will add a new title to his resume as Honorary Chair of Library Card Sign-up Month. As honorary chair, Snoopy will remind parents and caregivers, children and teens that the coolest card of all is a library card! Studies show that children who are read to in the home and who regularly use the library perform better in school.
Many resources are available at the public library to anyone who has a card. Public libraries offer access to a variety of print and digital resources including free eBooks for grade levels kindergarten through 12th grade, online resources databases, and links to a myriad of information for teens and adults.
To get a free library card at a local library
• Bring a picture ID,
• Bring a local utility bill and
• Bring two local references and an e-mail or other contact information that must be verified.
In addition, during the month of September, library patrons can enjoy an entire month of book amnesty to return overdue books without paying late fees and fines that may have accumulated, excluding lost and damaged books. Readers are encouraged to then check out more books with a clean slate.
For more information on how to sign up for a free library card, visit the public library or download the application from the Web site at www.virginislandspubliclibraries.org
