Granite City – August 27, 2020

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Library cards empower students and fuel academic success

September is Library Card Sign-up Month, a time when the Six Mile Regional Library District joins the American Library Association (ALA) and libraries nationwide to remind parents, caregivers and students that signing up for a library card is the first step on the path to academic achievement and lifelong learning.

Anyone living in 62040 is eligible to get a free SMRLD library card.  To get your library card, either fill in the online form at smrld.org/connect/get-a-library-card/ or visit us at 2001 Delmar Avenue.  Youth ages 4-18 can receive a free book when picking up their library card.  Books are provided in partnership between SMRLD, Transform GC, and GCHS teacher Jennifer Connolly; only while supplies last and only at the Delmar Avenue Library.

There is nothing more empowering than signing up for your own library card. Through access to technology, media resources and educational programs, a library card gives students the tools to succeed in the classroom and provides people of all ages opportunities to pursue their dreams and passions.

Libraries offer everything from early literacy programs to job search assistance, helping transform lives and communities through education. At SMRLD, you’ll find a wide variety of educational resources and activities, including Research Databases and Streaming Movies, Music, eBooks, eAudiobooks, eComics, & eMagazines for all ages.

“Libraries play an important role in the education and development of children,” said Executive Director, Tina Hubert. “SMRLD has programs that serve students of all ages and backgrounds such as 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten, Saturday Science Lab, and TAG our Teen Advisory Group.”

The Six Mile Regional Library District, along with libraries everywhere, continue to adapt and expand services to meet the evolving needs of our community. To sign up for a library card or to learn more about the library’s resources and programs, please visit (www.smrld.org).

This year, DC’s Wonder Woman is embarking on a mission to champion the power of a library card as Library Card Sign-up Month Honorary Chair. In her new role, Wonder Woman will promote the value of libraries and encourage everyone to get their very own library card.

Since 1987, Library Card Sign-up Month has been held each September to mark the beginning of the school year. During the month, the ALA and libraries unite together in a national effort to ensure every child signs up for their own library card.

For more information, call 618-452-6238 ext. 710.

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Contacts: Tina Hubert, Executive Director, (618) 452-6238 ext 781

Erica Hanke-Young, Youth Services Manager (618) 452-6238 ext 787

Kate Kite, Research & Teen Librarian (618) 452-6238 ext 755

If you live anywhere in 62040 and need a library card, apply online at card.smrld.org

1. Books
Yes, this is the obvious one.  Both of our libraries are chock-full of bestsellers by big names like James Patterson and Kathy Reichs, as well as undiscovered gems by first-time authors and independent presses.  Need to do some research?  We’ve got tens of thousands of non-fiction titles on everything from fly fishing to decorating your home.  Almost every title checks out for three weeks, and if no one else is looking for it, you can renew the books for additional time.  Best of all, if we don’t have the book you’re looking for, we can almost always borrow it from another library and have it delivered to either library building for you.  How’s that for service?!

But that’s not all!  Our library members are also able to access many eBooks and eAudiobooks through the library’s subscription to Overdrive.  Read them on a computer, or download them to your portable device.  For more information, go here.  If you need further assistance, give us a call at 618-452-6238, or email [email protected].

2. Movies and Television Shows
RedBox and Blockbuster have nothing on us.  We’ve got thousands of movies and TV shows available for you to check out.  Most of them are DVDs, but we have Blu-Ray discs available.  Movies and TV shows are available for one week, but like books, if no one is waiting for them you may renew them for additional time.  While you may have to wait a bit for the latest releases, we have plenty of other great movies and TV shows to keep you entertained until we have a copy available for you.

Want to stream from your home check out our Hoopla app music, movies, television series, and more, 24/7 with your library card every month  – with no waiting!

3. Wireless Internet Access
Forget Barnes & Noble and Starbucks.  We let you use our wireless network at no charge for as long as you’d like.  Bring in your laptop or other wireless-enabled device and connect to SMRLD WiFi, no password required.  On the run? We’ve strengthened our wireless network so all you have to do is pull into one of our parking lots to access it.

4. Internet-enabled Computers
Don’t have a computer?  Come use one of ours!  We have several internet-enabled PCs available for your use.  Just show us your library card or picture ID and we’ll give you an hour of computer time.  If it’s a slow day and no one is waiting for a computer when your time is up, you may use the computer until it is needed by another library user.

5.  Electronic Research Resources
Sure, Google is free, but contrary to popular belief, not everything can be found through Google!  The library subscribes to a wide variety of electronic resources to help you find what you need.  Consumer Reports, Ancestry Library Edition (the library version of Ancestry.com), Morningstar Investment Research Center, Price 4 Antiques, NoveListPlus, OmniFile Full Text Select (H.W. Wilson), Science Reference Center, and MasterFILE Premier are just a few of the subscriptions the library makes available to its members.

If you have trouble finding what you need, you can always refer to our…

6. Librarians
Having a hard time finding information on a topic?  Just don’t know what to read next?  Professional librarians are available to you at the Delmar Avenue library during all open hours.  Can’t stop in?  Email the reference librarian at [email protected], or give us a call at (618) 452-6238.  We are happy to help you, whatever your question may be.

7. Newspapers and Magazines
The library has every issue of the Granite City Press-Record available.  Most issues have been microfilmed at the Delmar Avenue library, but some of the more recent ones are available online through NewsBank or as the newspaper itself.  NewsBank also gives us online access to recent issues of the Belleville News Democrat, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, and many other newspapers from around the United States.

Available to you are also a wide variety of magazines.  Many popular magazines are also available electronically through RBDigital

8.  Genealogy and Local History Resources
The library has a wealth of information on the history of Granite City and the Six Mile area.  This includes, but is not limited to, historical city directories, school yearbooks, old newspapers, and several volumes written about the local area.  We have also acquired subscriptions to the popular genealogy database HeritageQuest.

9. Auto Repair Manuals
Want to do a repair on your vehicle yourself, but need a little help? You’ve come to the right place! Take advantage of the library subscriptions to Chilton Automotive Repair.  Download text and images to help get your car running!

10. Programs for the Whole Family
Looking for something to do?  Check out our calendar of events and classes!  From our children’s storytimes and craft programs, to book clubs and gardening classes for adults, the library has something for everyone.  Our programs are free and rarely require registration.  Keep checking the calendar because we add new events all the time!

These are only a handful of the benefits you get when you become a member of the Six Mile Regional Library District.  And they’re all totally free!  Why are you waiting?  If you don’t have a library card, sign-up for a temporary card at card.smrld.org

HELP US HELP OTHERS!
Free Tax Preparation Services by Six Mile Regional Library District

Help others receive the tax refunds they have earned and bring back thousands of dollars to hard working families in our community.
Join a team of volunteers at the Six Mile Regional Library District who will be preparing income tax returns on Saturdays from February through April.
No Experience necessary, you will be trained and certified!
Contact 452-6238 ext 730 or 782 for more information