At a recent meeting, I had someone share a photo with me that brought a smile to my face and joy to my heart. It was a photo of her granddaughter holding her first library card. Her granddaughter had thoughtfully selected the spot for her photo op and proudly displayed her new card, grinning from ear to ear.
September is National Library Card Sign-Up Month. This month is selected nationally to coincide with the beginning of a new school year, ensuring your student has access to all the resources they need for a successful school year. Whether they are in a physical school, taking classes online or are home-schooled, this is the perfect time to obtain a library card for both you and your child.
No kids? No problem! The library is here for people of any age, from babies through seniors. We carefully curate our collection to select materials for our entire population. From lifelong learning to pop culture, seeking valid information to a great novel and from board books to chapter books, Durango Public Library strives to meet the educational and entertainment needs of our entire community.
If you don’t have a library card, why not? It is free (well, paid for with local sales taxes, but I digress ...) In Durango, we have more than 100,000 items in our collection – physical items and eBooks and eAudiobooks – waiting for you to check out. We provide access to online databases, which include encyclopedias, thousands of magazine and journal articles, language learning and more. Board games and ukuleles are just part of our collection of unique items to check out. Honestly, I come to work each day simply amazed at what we are able to offer. We had two separate customers submit comment cards – one comparing the us to the Library of Congress, and the other to libraries throughout Europe, with both customers touting our excellent collection, customer service and facility.
For young people, having your own library card is more than the ability to check out books and materials, free of charge. It is the idea that the card is yours, with your name attached to it. It engenders a sense of pride and responsibility. For all of us, it is knowing that you can walk through the library’s doors at any time, and that what you select is your choice. It opens a whole new word for you, where you can explore a neverending collection of ideas and stories. Durango Public Library’s mission states that we “... enrich the community by providing an environment where information abounds, ideas flow, and imagination thrives.”
What better way to help us achieve that mission than to place a library card in your hands, your wallet, a pocket, your keychain, scanned to your phone ... Your card opens a world of possibilities. Isn’t it time to explore that world with your new library card?
Sandy Irwin is library director at Durango Public Library.
