¾«¶«´«Ã½

CHICAGO – During Library Card Sign-up Month, the ¾«¶«´«Ã½ (ALA) and librarians across the country will remind students, parents, and caregivers that a library card is the most important school supply of all.

Each September, ¾«¶«´«Ã½and libraries around the nation celebrate Library Card Sign-up Month. A library card provides access to technology, multimedia content. and educational programming that transforms lives and strengthens communities. Libraries provide people of all ages the opportunity to pursue their dreams and passions.

All libraries can participate and amplify this message using free tools from ALA. They include:

• Promotional artwork featuring this year’s Library Card Sign-up Honorary Chair, Marley Dias, the 16-year-old author, executive producer of Netflix’s Bookmarks: Celebrating Black Voices, and founder of .
• Audio public service announcements (PSAs) featuring Phil Morehart, host of American Libraries Magazine’s Call Number podcast. These include ready-to-air PSAs for radio stations tagged with the ¾«¶«´«Ã½ID lasting 10, 15, 20, and 30 seconds in both the WAV and MP3 formats. They also include customizable PSAs of similar length to which ¾«¶«´«Ã½members can add their own ID.
• Social media graphics in both English and Spanish. Libraries and library lovers are encouraged to share their stories on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram using the hashtag #LibraryCardSignUpMonth. ALA’s digital graphics are free for all to use on their websites and social media accounts.
• Other tools, such as a sample press release, PSA scripts, mini-posters, and yard and window signs are available on the Library Card Sign-up Month web page.

In addition, all libraries are encouraged to ask their patrons how their library empowers them or their community. Just use the hashtag #LibrariesEmpower on Twitter or Instagram from Sept. 1 to Sept. 22. Entries can also be submitted by posting as a comment or wall post on the . The creator of one randomly selected post will receive a $100 Visa gift card and an ¾«¶«´«Ã½Graphics . Additionally, three second-place winners will receive an ¾«¶«´«Ã½Graphics The Child Poster.

Since 1987, Library Card Sign-up Month has been held each September to mark the beginning of the school year. During the month, the ¾«¶«´«Ã½ and libraries unite together in a national effort to ensure every child signs up for their own library card. For more information, please visit /conferencesevents/celebrationweeks/card/.

###