It is no coincidence that Library Card Sign-Up Month, a national campaign to emphasize the importance of library cards to a child’s education and to combat illiteracy, is timed for September, back-to-school season.
Libraries play a crucial role in the education and development of children, offering a variety of programs to spark creativity and stimulate an interest in reading and learning. Through access to technology, media resources and educational programs, a library card gives students the tools to succeed in the classroom. As we make the transition to the classroom, a library card is a great way to support every student’s learning needs. For those not heading back to school, as we move into the autumn season it is a great time to stretch our minds and explore a new or continuing interest with the help of library resources. Library cards are free, and provide access to a wide range of online learning resources as well as books, magazines and more.
You don't have to be a student to reap the benefits of a library card. The library provides opportunities for people of all ages to pursue their dreams, explore new passions and interests, and find their voice.
Online Library
Explore the resources available in our Online Library, opens a new window. Discover tools for research and learning, as well as eBooks and a variety of digital content, all in an easy to browse layout.
Homework Resources
A variety of resources of interest to students are included in the Research, opens a new window section, including collections of Articles and Publications, as well as Homework Resources.
The resources available include:
- SIRS Discoverer, opens a new window - content for beginning researchers, Gr 3-9
- Gale Interactive Science, opens a new window - 3D interactive models to visualize and understand concepts in biology, chemistry, earth, and space science
- ProQuest's Reference eLibrary, opens a new window has a Guided Research Interface, opens a new window that includes a topic breakdown by popular assignments and subjects.
eBooks & Video for Kids & Teens
To browse our collection of eBooks for kids and teens, check out the Kids Collection, opens a new window and Teen Collection, opens a new window on OverDrive and Libby. Hoopla, opens a new window has a Kids Mode, a kid-friendly setting for finding books, movies, and music with kid-friendly content for kids 12 and younger. There is also a Kanopy Kids, opens a new window collection providing online video content.
Lifelong Learning
Even if you're not headed toward the classroom, remember that having a library card also opens the door to lifelong learning opportunities. Adults, there are plenty of career and enrichment resources available for you to explore, whether you’re looking to learn another language, opens a new window, brush up your computer skills, opens a new window, hone your business sense, opens a new window, or tap into your creative side, opens a new window. The library also provides online access to helpful tools for daily living, such as consumer information, opens a new window, as well as resources for genealogy, opens a new window and local history, opens a new window.
Visit Museums & Parks
You can also use your library card to access free and discounted passes to many local museums and parks. Visit our pages about Museum Passes, opens a new window and Park Passes, opens a new window for more information.
Get Started
Visit your local branch, opens a new window to sign up for a library card, or apply online, opens a new window.
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