Visit Your Local Library During Library Card Sign-up Month

Columbus, Ohio — September is Library Card Sign-up Month, and the Ohio Library Council (OLC) is encouraging Ohioans of all ages to discover everything their local public library has to offer.

With a library card, Ohioans can access far more than books. Public libraries provide access to eBooks and audiobooks, music and movies, homework help, storytimes, educational resources, technology, makerspaces, job and workforce assistance, cultural programs and community events. Many libraries also lend items beyond books, including museum passes, tools, bicycles, instruments, laptops and Wi-Fi hotspots through Library of Things collections.

“An Ohio library card opens the door to so many opportunities,” said Michelle Francis, Executive Director of the Ohio Library Council. “Whether you’re helping a child discover a favorite book, looking for homework support, learning a new skill, searching for a job or simply looking for your next great read, your local library has something for you. Library Card Sign-up Month is the perfect time to find out what’s available in your community.”

Ohio is home to 251 public library systems and more than 7.3 million library card holders. Libraries serve as community hubs, providing free access to information, technology, educational resources and programs that support Ohioans at every stage of life.

For children and families, a library card can be especially valuable as a back-to-school resource. Libraries offer educational materials, early literacy programs, and homework help that support learning throughout the school year. They also provide opportunities for children to build literacy skills, confidence and a love of reading.

“Libraries meet people where they are and help them explore where they want to go next,” Francis said. “You might visit your local library to find a great book, help your child succeed in school, learn a new skill or find resources for work and everyday life. A library card gives you access to all of these opportunities, right in your own community.”

Ohioans can stop by their local public library or find one near them at olc.org/ohio-library-card.