National Library Card Sign-Up Month
September is National Library Card Sign-Up Month!
September is Library Card Sign-Up Month, when libraries nationwide join the American Library Association (ALA) to remind parents, caregivers, and students that signing up for a library card is the first step on the path to academic achievement and lifelong learning.
Celebrate Back-to-School season and the power of your library card…
Play Bingo!
Children Preschool through 5th grade can explore the library and get familiar with our physical and digital learning resources with Book BINGO.
Celebrate With Our Annual Event
Touch-A-Truck
Kids of all ages will be able to climb aboard and inspect emergency vehicles, construction equipment, and other interesting vehicles! Held at Springhouse Middle School- 1200 Springhouse Road, Allentown, PA 18104, USA.
All programming is sponsored by The Friends of the Parkland Community Library.
Learn more about The Friends on their webpage.
It’s the most powerful tool in your wallet – show it off! Share a photo of yourself with your library card for the chance to win $100!
#GetLibraryCarded Contest
Post to Instagram or Twitter using the hashtag #GetLibraryCarded. Entries can also be submitted by posting as a comment or wall post on the I Love Libraries Facebook page. Be sure not to reveal any personal information on your library card and don’t forget to tag your library! The creator of one randomly-selected post will receive a $100 Visa gift and a poster of choice from ALA Graphics. Three second-place winners will receive their poster of choice from ALA Graphics.
The #GetLibraryCarded promotion begins Thursday, September 1, at noon CT and ends Friday, September 23, at noon CT. All library lovers and librarians are encouraged to participate. The promotion is open to residents of the United States, Washington, D.C., and U.S. Territories. Employees of the American Library Association are not eligible to participate.
Library Card Sign-Up Month History
The campaign started in 1987 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.” Read a detailed account in this 2015 blog post at the American Library Association Archives, A Library Card for Every Child: Library Card Sign-Up Month, by Cara Bertram.
About Cara Mentzel and Idina Menzel
Cara Mentzel‘s debut memoir, Voice Lessons: A Sisters Story, about her relationship with her superstar sister, Idina Menzel, was a Good Reads Choice Award nominee in 2017. Cara spent over a decade as a classroom teacher and reading specialist, winning a Barnes & Noble My Favorite Teacher Award. She has her master’s degree in elementary education with an emphasis on children’s literacy. Loud Mouse is her first picture book.
Idina Menzel is an actor, singer-songwriter, philanthropist, entrepreneur, and now writer. She was Tony-nominated for her Broadway performances in Rent and If/Then and won the prize for her portrayal of Elphaba in Wicked. Her voice can be heard as ‘Elsa’ in Disney’s Oscar® winning Frozen, and Frozen 2. She is the cofounder of A BroaderWay Foundation, whose mission is to amplify young women’s voices through the arts. Loud Mouse is Idina’s latest endeavor to build on the message of empowerment and finding our voices.
How to Celebrate Library Card Sign-Up Month
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 and provides people of all ages opportunities to pursue their dreams, explore new passions and interests, and find their voice.
1. Get a library card.
Libraries offer the opportunity to connect with new worlds through access to technology, multimedia content, and educational programs. Fill out our online application or visit PCL’s circulation desk to get your card.
2. Follow PCL, ALA, and I Love Libraries on social media.
Tag #ParklandCommunityLibrary #MyLibrary #LibraryCardSignUpMonth on social media.
ALA accounts: Twitter: @ALALibrary | Facebook: @AmericanLibraryAssociation | Instagram: @americanlibraryassociation |
I Love Libraries: Twitter: @IloveLibraries | Facebook @ILoveLibraries
3. Share your library stories.
Tag #MyLibrary #ParklandCommunityLibrary on social media.
We’re asking you to share the connections you’ve made thanks to your library. Did you find a great book? Get access to computers? Attend a great program or storytime? Did you make new friends here during a program?
Research, Learn, Watch, & Read
Your library card grants you FREE to access these digital resources.
Teens are not forgotten at the library!
Our teen library assistant has complied resources that will assist students with their studies, and futures.
Tech at PCL!
The library has self-serve public computers with Internet access and Microsoft Office in our Tech Center. Printing is available for a small fee. There are two children’s only computers for families in the new Barclay Family Children’s Wing. Sign-onto our free WiFi. Patrons can search our catalog at several tablet and computer stations. PCL also has a self checkout station located in the Barclay Family Children’s Wing just past the restrooms.
Accessibility
People of all abilities are welcome at Parkland Community Library. PCL is fully accessible and provides materials, assistive technology, and programs. Patrons may use these items in-library by request on a first-come-first-serve basis. Ask a tech assistant or reference librarian for assistance.
“It’s a little card that goes a loud way. Let your imagination sing at the library.” — Idina Menzel
“The library is where your imagination sings. Get your library card and ‘check it out’ today.” — Cara Mentzel
This program meets the PA Forward Civil & Social Literacy initiative.
Parkland Community Library has maintained our PA Forward® Gold Star Status by participating in the Pennsylvania Library Association initiative, PA Forward. PA Forward is a statewide initiative under the PA Library Association (PaLA), which works to strengthen the state’s libraries through education, advocacy, and leadership.
Canine Heroes
We are so grateful for our faithful service dogs in the police force, military, fire, and rescue. Let us honor our canine heroes. Yoda detained a fugitive, ending the nearly two-week-long search.Photo by the Associate PressDogs make great companions but have also demonstrated bravery, loyalty, and determination in their roles of police work, war, and…
Spooky Season
Booklist It’s that moment… The chilly breeze russles the leaves, and you hear a “SNAP.” Is there someone or something following you along this desolate roadside? Escape into your next favorite haunting tale! Spooky Season Booklist We RecommendThese Spooky Season Scary-Tales View more selections in our catalog and download the reading list. Spooky Season Booklist…
TeenTober
TeenTober is an initiative from the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) that encourages teens to visit their library in October to discover media in all forms, technology, games, STEAM activities, and more. This nationwide celebration hosted by libraries aims to celebrate teens, promote year-round teen services, and the innovative ways we help teens learn…