Visit Your Local Library During Library Card Sign-up Month

September is Library Card Sign-up Month, and the Ohio Library Council (OLC) is encouraging Ohioans of all ages to discover everything their local public library has to offer.

Find an Ohio public library near you.

With a library card, Ohioans can access far more than books. Public libraries provide access to eBooks and audiobooks, music and movies, homework help, storytimes, educational resources, technology, makerspaces, job and workforce assistance, cultural programs and community events. Many libraries also lend items beyond books, including museum passes, tools, bicycles, instruments, laptops and Wi-Fi hotspots through Library of Things collections.

Ohio is home to 251 public library systems and more than 7.3 million library card holders. Libraries serve as community hubs, providing free access to information, technology, educational resources and programs that support Ohioans at every stage of life.

For children and families, a library card can be especially valuable as a back-to-school resource. Libraries offer educational materials, early literacy programs, and homework help that support learning throughout the school year. They also provide opportunities for children to build literacy skills, confidence and a love of reading.

This year, Icelandic-Chinese composer and singer Laufey is serving as the honorary chair of Library Card Sign-up Month. An enthusiastic reader and founder of the Laufey Book Club, she is helping libraries nationwide encourage people to discover the many ways a library card can enrich their lives.

Getting a library card is easy. Ohioans can stop by their local public library or find one near them by searching the OLC website.