Local library celebrates Sign-Up Month

Published 6:00 am Thursday, September 9, 2010

    What’s great about having a library card?

    “It gives you free access to most of our services,” said Lydia Hofstetter, reference librarian at Meridian/Lauderdale County Public Library.

    That includes use of the Internet and Wi-Fi, CDs and cassettes, videos and DVDs – and books, of course.

    To celebrate September’s observance of National Library Card Sign-Up Month, the staff of the downtown library held a party – complete with cake, punch and popcorn Wednesday.

    “We want to encourage anyone who does not have a library card to sign up for one,” Hofstetter said.

    There is no charge, however the following requirements are necessary to obtain a library card:

    • Live in Lauderdale County

    • Work in Lauderdale County

    • Attend school in Lauderdale County

    • Own property in Lauderdale County

    Proper identification (Mississippi Driver’s License or official Mississippi ID) is required, as is proof of current physical address.

    Children must be 6 years old to obtain their own library card; a parent or legal guardian’s signature is required.

    There is a $5 fee for replacement cards, however during September the fee has been waived.

    Also as part of the Sign-Up Month observance, the library is featuring a Food for Fines Drive. For each canned good, $1 will be deducted from a fine.

    “It doesn’t matter how old the fine in,” Hofstetter said.

    This does not apply to lost books, she added.

    The canned goods will be donated to the local food pantry LOVE’s Kitchen.

    For more information, call the library at 601-693-6771. Meridian/Lauderdale County Public Library is located at 2517 Seventh St.