Get the Smartest Card @ your library
By Travis Brink, Librarian

Living in America, chances are you have cards in your purse or wallet.  Some, like your drivers license, allow you to go places.  Others, like your credit or ATM card, allow you to buy things.  Some cards in your wallet could cost you the world, but only one can bring the world to you.  In fact, some would say it’s your Smartest Card.

Of course, I mean your library card.

Yes, this humble card gives you access to books and information on just about any subject you can think of, from food to fundraising, from health to history, from travel to toddlers, from fiction to…er, non-fiction. 

All this and more is at your library, and your library card will get you there.

The American Library Association has designated September as National Library Card Signup month, and the Rapid City Public Library is pleased to be part of this national promotion.  Library Card Sign-up Month was launched in 1987. Since then, thousands of public and school libraries join each fall in a national effort to ensure every child has the Smartest Card — and access to one of the most unique and valuable institutions in our democracy.

Throughout the nation, libraries are flourishing.  Nearly two-thirds of Americans report having a library card, according to a recent household survey by the American Library Association, and nationwide, almost 1.8 billion visitors checked out more than 2 billion items last year at locations ranging from one-room rural outposts to large, urban libraries. 

What library card holders know is that a library card is your ticket to a world of opportunity.  With the Smartest Card, you have access to a goldmine of books, magazines, CDs and DVDs, not to mention public computers, internet access and web-oriented features like downloadable audiobooks. Why buy when you can borrow? 

Public libraries today provide something for the whole family.  In fact, 44% of parents report that they bring their children to the library because it gives them something to do together, such as our storytime events or our annual Summer Reading program.  Parents can help their children explore new interests, sit back and enjoy a family movie and add a cookbook or a best seller for their own enjoyment onto the stack of books for the kids. 

It’s no coincidence that National Library Card Sign-up Month comes in September, when school is back in session.  Studies show that children who are read to in the home and who use the library perform better in school and are more likely to continue to use the library as a source of lifetime learning.  The Rapid City Public Library offers many resources students can find valuable, like online homework help or one of the many useful databases that are specifically designed to make research easier.  Since the virtual side of the Library is open 24 hours a day, students of all ages should seize the opportunities that await with their Smartest Card.

All libraries have one special resource in common: professional librarians. As trained experts with Master’s Degrees in Library Science or other advanced degrees, their job along with other library staff is to help recommend and locate materials suitable for various ages and interests, help kids learn how to evaluate information sources and can partner with parents to help teach kids how to make safe and informed decisions online. 

Try getting that kind of service from Google.

What’s more, those who possess Rapid City Public Library cards will also enjoy an extra special benefit throughout the month of September, thanks to community partnerships with local merchants in the Rapid City area.  Until the end of September, if you show your library card to any of the following businesses, you’ll enjoy a special discount available only to library cardholders.

The Rapid City Library is pleased to be partnering with B&L Bagels, Bully Blends, Kid’s Closet, Little Jewels, Piesano’s Pacchia, and Someone’s in the Kitchen.

These businesses recognize the immense value of the Smartest Card, and are glad to have a part in reminding people that their library card offers so much more than expected. 

Truly, this is the Smartest card you can have.  If you don’t have one yet, stop by the Library or go to rapidcitylibrary.org and select “library card” in the upper right service directory.  While you’re there, take some time to look around and discover the wealth of information at your fingertips. 

So make sure you and your children have the Smartest Card.  If you have one, use it.  If you don’t, get one.  It’s fast, easy and easily the most valuable item you can place in your wallet.