Library Card Sign-up Month

by Christina Stoll, MLS

September is Library Card Sign-up Month.  Libraries across the country will participate in special promotions to encourage new residents to get a library card.  Check out what some of the local area MLS public libraries are doing.

Tinley Park Public Library (www.tplibrary.org)
Susan K. Dienes, Marketing and Community Outreach

The library receives an annual donation of family pass to a local children’s farm and free passes to a pumpkin patch.  These prizes in addition to supplemented small gift baskets by the library are raffled off to anyone who applies for a new card or renews their card during the month of September. The promotion is advertised in their quarterly newsletter, in-house literature, press releases, and at their local National Night Out in early August, along with information about the Macy’s Museum Pass program to help spur interest in having their own library card. 

Matteson Public Library (www.mattesonpubliclibrary.org)
Phyllis Davis, Head of Youth Services

Every year the library has a contest or promotion for Library Card Sign-up month.  In the past, they have offered a contest to local schools around creating a “Read” poster using ALA’s software.  Another contest involves each school trying to have the most kids who show the library their cards. The library staff visits each school and have an assembly announcing the contest and encouraging the kids to get cards.  The classroom at each school with the most library cards is treated to a special visit by our Mad Scientist, who does classroom interactive science experiments or lessons.

This year a focus on the younger children was followed with a visit to kindergarten classrooms to do library related story-time sessions.  This provided an opportunity to introduce the public library to the students and invite them to get library cards.  All kids, regardless of age, who get a library card for the first time during the month, receive a free book as a gift.

Orland Park Public Library (www.orlandparklibrary.org)
Melissa Panio, Public Information Coordinator

As a kick off for the Benjamin Franklin: In Search of a Better World exhibit arriving at the Orland Park Public Library on December 16, 2009 the library is celebrating September’s Library Card Sign-up Month in honor of Benjamin Franklin. Every resident who signs up for a library card or renews an existing library card between September 1 and October 18 will receive a free gift and be entered in a raffle for a chance to win a limited edition Benjamin Franklin squirrel puppet.
Berkeley Public Library (www.berkeleylib.org) and Hillside Public Library (www.hillsidelibrary.org)
Melissa Gardner, Director and Loretta Bohn, Head of Children's Services and Interim Director

These two libraries are working together with local businesses to provide discounts to Library card holders during the month of September.  When a patron presents their Library card at a participating business they will receive a discount.  For example at the local Arby’s during the month of September when a resident shows their Berkeley or Hillside Library card and they purchase a soft drink they will receive a free sandwich.  The open is that the program promotes the value of a Library card and helps boost local business.  We are trying to reach people who don't normally use the Library as well as help out our local businesses. 

Melrose Park Public Library (www.melroseparklibrary.org)
Cindy Maiello-Gluecklich, Circulation/Technical Services Manager

Every resident that signs up for a new library card in the month gets a “goodie bag” filled with a mouse pad, note pad, pen and key chain.

Westmont Public Library (www.westmontlibrary.org)
Kate Buckson, Marketing Coordinator
 
For the second year in a row, the Westmont Public Library is partnering with the Westmont Chamber of Commerce to offer deals and discounts to residents in possession of a valid Westmont Public Library card. During the entire month of September, residents with a library card may visit each participating establishment and take advantage of the offer by simply showing their library card! For a list of participating businesses, pick up a brochure at the library or visit our website at www.westmontlibrary.org.

Brookfield Public Library (www.brookfieldpubliclibrary.info)
Jim Berg, Head of Circulation

The library is promoting Library Card Sign-up Month by having Dollar Sundays, where patrons can have their overdue fines waived by paying $1 on Sundays in September. This does not apply to lost/damaged items or items from other libraries, but all proceeds go to our Friends of the Library. Brookfield Library cardholders can also enter a gift card raffle towards winning a Border’s gift card. In addition, Brookfield residents who sign up for a library card for the first time in September will receive a bag with library information, event flyers and promotional items.  Library cards were promoted all summer long through the library’s participation at the local Farmer’s Market where residents could sign up for library cards on-sight. This practice will continue till the Market ends in October.

Lisle Library District (www.lislelibrary.org)                                            
Virginia McKeefery Reynolds, Paraprofessional/Circulation Department

Lisle Library District developed a partnership with 26 Lisle area businesses called “I Love My Lisle Library Card.”  During the month of September each business is offering a discount or free item when a patron shows a Lisle Library card at the business. Lisle Library provided all the advertising for the event.  Patron and business responses have been overwhelmingly positive! Patrons have enjoyed savings in all kinds of business offerings, including restaurants, retail stores and services.  The businesses also liked the idea of partnering with the library in an innovative way.

Questions about this article, contact Christina Stoll as stollc@mls.lib.il.us.

Published September 23, 2009 in vol. 3, iss. 18 [View]