September is Library Card Signup Month

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Library card | Photo via @mmaplin

Today we are checking in with our friends at the Richland Library. September is Library Card Signup Month and currently, the local library has more than 240,000 library card holders, which account for both residents and non-residents.

Do you have a library card?

In Richland County, library cards are free for residents and property owners. If you are not a resident, there’s an annual $65 fee. Discounted cards are available for teachers, military members, child care providers + college students who are currently teaching or residing in Richland County.

DYKyou can get a library card at any age? Some of the youngest library card holders are infants. Parents are able to utilize the library to check out materials for their children to promote early literacy and the downtown library has a wonderful children’s area to explore, once they reopen.

So you want to be a library card holder? The online process is easy – start by visiting Richland Library’s website. From there, it only takes a few minutes to fill out the form online before receiving a temporary library card, which immediately connects you to various physical and digital resources. Later, when the library returns to normal operations, you can stop by one of the 14 locations and pick out a physical library card. ProTipGo for the yellow “Where the Wild Things Are” card.

Think you already have a library card, but can’t find it? It’s okay, we know 2020 has been hard on everyone. Call the library at 803-799-9084 to find out.

A library card unlocks a world of learning, creating + sharing for everyone. Take advantage of the different educational resources, including at-home learning resources, movies, a personalized reading service + more.

Here are 10 resources you may not know are available with a library card.

  1. Decodable readers and curriculum guides – The carefully-curated collection in the library’s Education Studio supports learning through a multisensory approach. Receive personalized consultations from our reading specialists by contacting Ask a Librarian.
  2. Flipster – Receive electronic subscriptions to current, popular and specialty titles. There are some great informational selections that focus on animal facts, such as Zoobooks + Ranger Rick magazines.
  3. Gale in Context: Elementary, BrainPOP Jr. or World Almanac for Kids – Enjoy some of our favorite databases, hand-selected by library staff members, which help with research and support an interactive learning environment.
  4. Tutor.com – Students from kindergarten through college can connect with a live tutor daily for help with homework.
  5. Online personalized recommendation service – Identify a specific school subject or area of study so library staff can choose titles just for you and place them on hold for pick-up.
  6. Creativebug.com – Explore a new skill with access to more than 1,000 award-winning art and craft video classes taught by recognized design experts and artists.
  7. Mango Languages – Lessons include audio and visual learning methods that are suited to all language learners. From Spanish and French to Brazilian Portuguese and Mandarin Chinese, there are more than 70 languages to choose from.
  8. Kanopy – Immerse yourself in award-winning documentaries, rare and hard-to-find titles, film festival favorites, indie and classic films, and world cinema. There are about 150 news titles each month and some of those titles feature South Carolina.
  9. Career Online High School – Earn an accredited high school diploma and credentialed career certificate for free. This program is designed to help adults prepare for other higher education opportunities or the workforce.
  10. Lynda.com for Libraries – Learn new job skills or revisit a topic that you studied long ago. There are more than 3,500 web-based video courses and step-by-step tutorials.