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Celebrating National Library Card Sign-Up Month

Off the Shelf

“Libraries are community treasure chests, loaded with a wealth of information available to everyone equally, and the key to that treasure chest is the library card. I have found the most valuable thing in my wallet is my library card.” – Laura Bush

Library cards are indeed valuable. Consider these statistics for just last month at the New Ulm Public Library:

· 11,272 physical items checked out

· 710 eBook checkouts

· 1,072 eAudiobook checkouts

· 905 computer sessions

· 5,337 wifi sessions

All of these things were free at the library!

But library value cannot be measured only monetarily. Students, families and educators find learning resources at the library, as well as educational and fun programming. Book clubs encourage gathering together to share information. Visits to the library encourage reading. Storytimes build early literacy skills and prepare children for school. Card holders can check out hotspots to get internet at home.

Even more important are the people of the library, those that hold and use library cards, those that support the library and those that work in and with libraries to make library materials available to all. We are so grateful to the New Ulm Library Board, Friends of the New Ulm Library, the Brown County Library Board and Traverse des Sioux Library System leadership and staff for supporting and enhancing our library services. Community is at the heart of library purpose, inspiration and value. So while we are celebrating National Library Card Sign-Up Month this month, know we are celebrating the library community, too.

If you need a library card, simply visit the library and show identification. If your current address is not on your picture I.D., please bring proof of address. A piece of mail or a digital utility bill will work. Library cards are free to all Minnesota residents and now through September 30, replacement cards are also free. For a limited time, we have library cards featuring the art of local artists, so even if you have not lost your card, you may want to replace your card with one of these beautiful designs.

See you at the library!

The library is located at 17 N. Broadway and is open to the public Monday to Thursday 9:30 a.m. – 8 p.m. and Friday and Saturday 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Starting at $4.38/week.

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