September is Library Card Sign-Up Month, and as the end of summer approaches, we encourage you to check out all the resources your local library has to offer. Many people may not realize everything their library offers until they get a library card and discover all the different things they can do there!

Libraries aren’t only for folks who love to read. You can check out books and read magazines, but you can also borrow DVDs, CDs, and video games for platforms like PlayStation and Xbox. You can also get access to apps like Hoopla, CloudLibrary, and Kanopy, which feature your library’s collections of free eBooks, audiobooks, comic books, music, movies, TV shows, and more. You can access these free resources from a library computer or from your own devices at home.

If you don’t have a computer or internet at home, that’s okay! Nearly all libraries provide free access to Wi-Fi and computers, along with printers, copiers, and scanners to help you manage your documents. Library staff can also help guide you through tasks if you’re not computer-savvy or aren’t sure where to start.

For those looking to continue their education, libraries often partner with local organizations to connect patrons with resources like GED programs and adult literacy services. Their quiet meeting spaces are ideal for one-on-one learning, which is why many volunteer tutors meet with adult learners at their local library. Some libraries offer their own education programs, like Rockford Public Library’s Adult Online High School, which helps adults earn an accredited high school diploma and work toward building a career path.

Libraries are places where you can learn new skills and explore your interests. Many libraries offer maker spaces where patrons can use equipment like 3D printers, Cricut machines, laser cutters, and sewing machines. At Rockford Public Library, the Maker Lab Academy provides training to help patrons get started with the equipment available in the Maker Lab.

Your local library is also a place to connect with others in your community. Events throughout the year give people opportunities to share interests, try new activities, and meet new people. Families can enjoy story times and creative activities. Teens and adults can participate in book clubs, workshops, discussion groups, and more. Whether you want to try something new or spend time with others who share your interests, your local library has something for you.

This year’s Library Card Sign-Up Month theme is “A Library Card Hits All the Right Notes.” Throughout September, libraries will be celebrating the many ways a library card can help you learn, create, connect, and explore. If you have questions about signing up or using your library card, library staff are always available to help new patrons get started.

At YWCA Northwestern Illinois, we see the impact that libraries have on our community every day. They provide welcoming spaces where people can access resources, build skills, and connect with opportunities for growth. Celebrate Library Card Sign-Up Month by visiting your local library and discovering everything you can do with a library card!