September is Library Card Sign-up Month at The Seattle Public Library

release date: September 11, 2018

Visit your local Seattle Public Library this month! We've got tons of back to school resources for you, Peak Picks for fall reading, and some new Library card designs for you to choose from – including a much-requested keychain card size.

Library Card Sign-Up Month is a national celebration of public libraries and a time to make sure students have the most important school supply of all—a free Library card.

FREE THINGS TO DO WITH YOUR LIBRARY CARD

Resources at The Seattle Public Library are available to anyone who has a Library card. Here are a number of things you can do for free with a Library card:

  1. Visit a museum.
  2. Get creative with writing workshops.
  3. Publish your e-book.
  4. Borrow, download or stream movies and TV shows.
  5. Download (and keep!) five songs a week.
  6. Send print jobs from your laptop, tablet or smartphone via the Library's free Wi-Fi.
  7. Speak a new language. We've got over 80 to choose from!
  8. Learn programming or Web design with Safari Books Online.
  9. Become an Excel spreadsheet guru with Microsoft Imagine Academy.
  10. Find a job.
  11. Get ahead with free classes: online or in-person.
  12. Get healthy with easy-to-browse health and medical journals.
  13. Save money with Consumers' Checkbook, a guide to Puget Sound services and stores such as auto repair shops, hospitals, plumbers, banks and insurance companies.
  14. Research your purchases with Consumer Reports.
  15. Download an e-book or e-audiobook.
  16. Download a magazine.
  17. Not sure how to download a book or magazine on your new device? Sign up for Tech Help.
  18. Reserve a computer for up to 90 minutes a day.
  19. Use Adobe Creative Cloud or MS Office on computers at every Library location.
  20. Make a phone call using the courtesy phones on Level 1 of the Central Library.
  21. Research your family history.
  22. Start and grow a business.
  23. Learn how to invest your money.
  24. Attend a story time with your child.
  25. File your taxes. Free tax help is available all year long.
  26. Participate in a citywide reading program - Seattle Reads happens every spring.
  27. Enjoy a concert.
  28. Hold a meeting. Non-commercial groups can book meeting rooms for one day per month.
  29. Use free Wi-Fi when you're at the Library, and check out a Wi-Fi hotspot for when you're at home or on the go.
  30. Join a book group to talk about books with other readers.
  31. Get personalized book recommendations with Your Next 5 Books.
  32. Browse through digitized materials of historic local photos, posters, maps, atlases, menus, art and more online with the Library's Special Collections.
  33. Reserve a private room for Skype conversations.
  34. Walk in and pick up a popular book with Peak Picks – no holds, no lines.
  35. Learn a new language, hobby or skill with a personalized lesson plan from Your Next Skill.
  36. Get inspired with digital creativity. Learn how to use a camera, sell your work on Etsy, and take a class onWordPress, CSS/HTML or the Adobe Creative Cloud.
  37. Stream and download music from local bands and musicians with PlayBack.
  38. Get help with homework and classes as a K-12 student or an adult.
  39. Dive into online research that's only available to Library card holders.
  40. Listen to an author reading, discussion or presentation with Library podcasts.

GET A CARD

A Library card is free for anyone who lives, works, owns property or goes to school in the Library's free service area. Cardholders from several library systems in Washington may also qualify.

Apply online if you are age 13 or older, or visit a Library branch to sign up. Bring a valid I.D. and proof of your current address, like a utility bill. Young adults and children ages 17 and under do not need to provide proof of their resident address.

SHARE YOUR LIBRARY LOVE

Already have a card? Share on social media all the great things you can do with your Library card. Here are a few ways you can help:

  • Follow us on Facebook and Twitter and retweet/share our posts with the hashtag #SPLcard
  • Create a Facebook post and nominate 5 others to participate: "I use my library card to ___. How do you use yours? #SPLcard @SeattlePublicLibrary"
  • Post a tweet: "It's Library Card Sign-Up Month! RT if you think everyone should have a library card. http://www.spl.org/getacard #SPLcard" @SPLBuzz"

For more information, Ask Us or call 206-386-4636.

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