Since 1987, Library Card Sign-up Month has highlighted the importance of having a library card. September is the time to celebrate the all-mighty card that unlocks worlds of possibilities. Whether patrons are looking for a beach read, searching for valuable information, homework help, crafts or job search assistance — all can be accessed with a handy library card.
This year's Library Card Sign-up Month campaign has teamed up with Skybound Entertainment and leading toy and game company Hasbro to encourage people to roll out to their libraries with the TRANSFORMERS franchise and special ambassador Optimus Prime highlighting that there's more than meets the eye at the library.
Use Library Card Sign-up Month as a way to highlight all that your library has to offer in programming, partnerships and more. How do you celebrate this month at your library? Read on for some ideas shared by fellow library workers.
Library checkout scavenger hunt
Create a scavenger hunt (for kids and adults!) with tasks to get them to use their library cards to discover new reads. Some example tasks could be: check out a book published in your birth year, a book with your favorite animal on the cover or a book written by someone with your first name.
Special prizes for new (and old!) library cardholders
To entice new library cardholders to return to the library regularly, enter them into a prize drawing every time they return to the library throughout September. On the last day of the month, choose a winner (or a few)! You can also offer kids a treat every time they show their library card on a visit.
Passive library card crafting
Leave out blank paper templates of library cards along with coloring materials for patrons to design their own unique cards. Pin completed cards on a bulletin board to display throughout the month. To make it more engaging, you can encourage people to write their favorite things about the library on the card and highlight them on social media.
Transformers-themed book display
Gather up whatever Transformers books are in your library for an on-theme display of this year's ambassador. Decorate using the free mini posters available on the Library Card Sign-up Month website. To make it interactive, leave out Transformers-themed crafts like these headbands or some origami paper with basic folding instructions.
Social media fun
Create social media posts for every day of the month to highlight all your library has to offer. Include some quotes and photos from library staff and patrons so they can share their favorite things about having a library card. Patron video testimonials can also be a great way to engage your social media following.
Visit local schools
September perfectly aligns with the start of the school year. Arrange classroom visits at local schools to present all the benefits of having a library card. If you have a mobile way to sign people up for a card, this is a great way to get kids signed up on the spot.
Work with your partnerships
Have a great relationship with local businesses and organizations? Leverage those partnerships to get new library card holders. Ask partners to distribute information on the library with library card sign-up information. Local businesses can also offer discounts when customers show their library cards.
