Lots of good reasons to have a library card

September is upon us and so is Library Sign-Up Month. There are many reasons why a library cards is useful to any and everyone.

In Iowa, you can use your local library card at any library you might visit throughout the state, thanks to the State Library's Open Access program.

We can interlibrary loan materials from public, college, and other special collection libraries, and we offer materials on a wide array of interests in our own collection.

A library card is a passport to information and entertainment for people of all ages, and will not only gain you access to books, but to Internet resources, periodicals, movie, audio books, online databases, special programming, and much more. The best thing about a library card is that you can gain access to all of these items free of charge.

According to the American Library Association web site, "Americans check out an average of more than six books a year. They spend $25.25 a year for the public library -- much less than the average cost of one hardcover book." Where else can you see such a healthy return on your tax dollars?

This statement does not take into account the reference services that your librarians provide for you, which increases the value of the library's services in the community much more than the value of the books alone.

Considering what a great resource you have in your library, we encourage those of you who have not yet signed up for a card to come in and do so. You might be surprised what you'll find at the library.