September is Library Card Sign-Up Month and area libraries are ready for new patrons.

Having a library card, which does not cost anything, allows patrons access not only to the numerous books available at libraries, but also to movies, magazines, newspapers, research materials and even to the Internet.

“It’s the very best card one could ever have,” said Anna Nichols, librarian at the Charles H. Stone Memorial Library in Pilot Mountain.

“It’s the one thing that’s free to everybody in the community,” said Pat Gwyn, librarian at Mount Airy Public Library. “You can check out everything. It might be something you need, but it might also be something you want. It’s for people’s needs as well as recreation.”

Because library cards are free and are automatically renewed as long as they are used on a regular basis, more people are turning to the library as a resource and librarians hope that trend will continue.

“A lot of people come here to use the computers to file unemployment, look for jobs or create resumes,” said Cindy Brannock, assistant librarian at Dobson Community Library. “We’ve had a lot of people come in because they can’t afford to buy books anymore. It’s a real money saver.”

Library cards are also available to people of all ages. Most libraries think that preschool is a good age to start but say it is up to parents to decide when their child is ready to be responsible for the materials.

“We like children to be able to write their name,” said Nichols of getting a first library card. “We make a big hoopla over it when someone signs up the first time. We encourage preschoolers to have a card and parents to teach them to be responsible. The process of sharing is what the library is all about.”

“We sort of leave it up to the parents when they feel the time has come when the child is responsible. We have preschool story time with preschool children and they’re so proud to hand over their own card to check out a book,” said Gwyn.

All three libraries hope more community members come into the library this month to take advantage of all of the resources available as well as the many programs offered by the libraries.

While people do not have to have a library card to participate in the programs, they will be kept more aware of what is going on at the library by having one.

Contact Morgan Wall at mwall@mtairynews.com or 719-1929.