HANCOCK COUNTY — No library card? No problem.
September is Library Card Sign-up Month, a time when the American Library Association encourages patrons of all ages to get connected with their local library.
This year marks the 30th anniversary of Library Card Sign-up Month, “a national observance that was launched in 1987 to ensure every child obtains a library card and uses it,” according to the ALA.
Since then thousands of public and school libraries have joined the effort.
At the Hancock County Public Library, patrons are encouraged to stop in to renew their library cards this month or to pick up a new limited edition card with one of three unique designs created by reference librarian Paul McNeil, who works at the Greenfield branch.
McNeil wanted to draw attention to Banned Books Week, an annual event celebrating the freedom to read. This year’s event takes place Sept. 18-24.
He created three designs to promote literary freedom, featuring quotes by abolitionist Frederick Douglass, graphic novelist Art Spiegelman and civil rights advocate Audre Lorde.
One of the cards proclaims “I read banned books” in bold letters.
Another looks like a blue leather book cover with gold writing that reads “The library card to forbidden knowledge.”
A third card looks like a redacted document with most words and phrases blacked out, except for “freedom…to…read…”
The cards are available for free when signing up for a new account, or by swapping out an old card for a new one.
“We wanted people to know that the library is fighting for the right to read what you want, and that having the freedom to read what you want is important. That’s the basis of what public libraries are all about,” said McNeil.
Patrons at the Fortville-Vernon Township Public Library are also encouraged to stop by and renew their cards this month.
“We are definitely encouraging people to come in and get their cards renewed, especially if they haven’t been in awhile,” said library director Melissa Dragoo Loiselle.
“If you haven’t made your way back to the library since COVID, now is a perfect time to come back and see all the new books and materials we’ve been adding. We’ve also been expanding our digital collection quite a bit,” she said.
Cody Flood, access services manager at the Hancock County Public Library, hopes library patrons throughout the county will be motivated to renew their library cards and explore their nearest library branch.
As for his own branches, Floyd hopes the public enjoys McNeil’s uniquely designed library cards as much as he does.
“The cards are meant to encourage people to come into the library and explore a variety of interests,” he said.
“We have something for everybody, and we hope that everybody feels safe and welcome at the library. We’re not here to judge what you’re wanting to read. We just want to connect you to what you want to read,” said Flood.
Floyd encourages the public to use their local library and librarians as tools to access the types of information and entertainment they want.
“As librarians we can connect you to what you’re waiting to read, what you’re wanting to research or learn more about,” he said.
“You can also tell us what you want to avoid. If you’re somebody who doesn’t want to read books with a lot of foul language or violence, or you don’t want steamy romance scenes, you can tell us that upfront and we can make some good book recommendations for you to avoid those kinds of things.”
An up-to-date library card is the key that unlocks access to the hundreds of thousands of books, movies and other materials the library has to offer, he said.
Cards at the Hancock County Public Library expire every three years, so Floyd encourages families to check their cards and get them renewed, or stop by for one of McNeil’s limited edition cards promoting literary freedom. Patrons who stop by to renew their cards can enter to win one of 10 $50 gift cards to OutOfPrint.com.
The library also has an app which makes it easier for patrons to keep track of their cards digitally.
“That’s something I’d highly recommend for everyone, especially those with larger families, because I know firsthand how hard it can be to keep track of them,” said Floyd, a father of four.
