Each September, the American Library Association leads libraries across the nation in celebration of Library Card Sign-Up Month. Wisely timed to correspond with the beginning of the school year to remind students of this valuable free resource. The initiative was founded in 1987 by the U.S. Secretary of Education at the time, William Bennett, who is quoted as saying, “Every child should obtain a library card – and use it.”
At the center of Orange County Library System’s sign-up campaign this year is a limited edition library card created by local artist and OCLS employee, Kelly Williams-Cramer.
“We’re excited to offer another limited-edition library card to new and existing OCLS customers during Library Card Sign-up Month,” Steve Powell, Orange County Library System Director and CEO, told Orlando Shine. “The card features a beautiful scene of Florida pollinators and flowers, including a ruby-throated hummingbird, bumblebee, and red admiral butterfly with standing cypress and coneflower blooms.”
That bumblebee he mentions is quite buried in his work and prompts us to unofficially dub this The Bee’s Butt Limited-Edition Library Card™. The bucolic scene also features a favorite around Shine HQ – ladybugs. You can stop by any of OCLS’s 15 locations to sign up or renew to get it.
Libraries can’t be summed up any better than the ALA’s slogan this year, “One Card, Endless Possibilities.” Whichever library system you’re in, celebrate the month by getting your library card and remember Mr. Bennett’s wise directive: use it.
Click HERE to sign up for a card today.
