September is library card sign-up month
Regional librarian Joe Laurenzi, Atascadero Mayor Pro Tem Moreno, Atascadero Mayor Tom O’Malley, Atascadero Police Chief Jerel Haley, Atascadero Council Member Roberta Fonzi, Atascadero Fire Chief Kurt Stone. Courtesy photo.
– Studies show that children who are read to in the home and who use the library perform better in school. September is Library Card Sign-up Month, a time when the San Luis Obispo County Libraries joins with the American Library Association and public libraries nationwide to make sure that every student has a free library card.
Resources at all 15 of the San Luis Obispo County Libraries are available to anyone who has a library card. Students can turn to the library for materials, programs and knowledgeable library staff that support academic achievement. These programs include reading to therapy dogs, joining in a story time, playing educational games at the library, trying out ABCMouse learning program, doing research on one of the databases, sharing ideas with a book group, building amazing things with a Lego club, and more.
The library offers access to a variety of free print and digital resources, including Overdrive ebooks and audiobooks, Zinio downloadable digital magazines, Pronunciator online language learning, online genealogy research, Indieflix streaming video, free SAT, ACT, PSAT courses and practice tests and more that can be accessed in person or online.
“Our library provides access and programs for students of all ages,” says Youth Services Coordinator Margaret Kensinger-Klopfer. “For preschool age children we offer early literacy and lap sit story times to encourage school readiness, for older children and teens we supplement educational book groups and programs, and for older teens we have information and tools to help prepare for college and advanced placement classes. There’s really something for everyone and it’s all free with a library card.”
Throughout the month of September, the library will feature new library card holders on the SLO Library Facebook account. The San Luis Obispo County Libraries are also partnering with the San Luis Obispo Children’s Museum to provide a free museum pass for any child, ages 2-10, who is getting their first library card.
For more information on how to sign up for a library card, visit your San Luis Obispo County Library in person or visit the library online at www.slolibrary.org.
