My library card is a tiny sliver on my keychain. It’s a key to lots of free stuff. 

Print books

Audio books

E-books

Magazines

Newspapers

DVDs

Music CDs

Interlibrary loans from other libraries

Research databases

Public computers (and printing for a small fee)

I am a big library fan. I have a vivid memory of being told (at perhaps age five) that I could check out as many books as I wanted to, or at least as many as I could carry. Eureka!

My first paycheck was from a library. I worked at libraries in high school, college, and much later, here in Bluffton. The biggest perk was never having a lack of something to read or watch.

A Columbus Public Library card now helps me take advantage of the many online research and genealogy resources provided by a major library. No need to drive there.

My childhood library never had a Touch-a-truck event or curbside service, like you’ll find here in Bluffton. But the same purpose was there: to feed our imaginations and knowledge.

If it’s been a while since you’ve had a library card, this is a great time to sign up. September is Library Card Month, at least nominally. In fact, you can sign up for a card whenever your local library is open. (Bluffton Public Library hours:  Monday-Thursday 10 a.m.–7 p.m., Friday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-1 p.m.)