September is National Library Card Sign-up Month, and the Mingo County Public Library and its branches at Gilbert, Kermit and Matewan, along with the Williamson Public Library want to make sure that all children in Mingo County have the smartest card of all — a library card. These libraries are part of the Western Regionat Library System.

Observed since 1987, Library Card Sign-up Month is a time when the American Library Association (ALA) and libraries aoross the country remind parents through National Literacy Month that a library card is the most important school supply of all.

Studies show that children who are read to in the home and who use the library perform better in school and are more likely to continue to use the library as a source of lifetime learning.

“A library card has always been the most important school supply of all,” says Pam Warden, director of the Mingo County Public libraries. “Kids come to the library to check out books, but they can also check out music, DVDs, videos and use the lntemet to help make after school life fun. There’s a lot happening at our library, and the best part for both kids and parents is that it’s all free with a library card.”

But of course, a library card isn’t just for the kids. It’s for the adults as well. A library card gives the holder access to databases, audio books (downloadable and on CD and cassette), thousands of books, movies and music. It serves at the central information center for the community, providing information, materials for career guidance and job searching, as well as Internet service, which is all free.

Getting a library card is as easy as going to the local library and showing adequate personal identification. Library employees will make a card in minutes. Library card privileges are extended to all residents of West Virginia.

The counties that constitute the Westem Regional Library System are Cabell, Lincoln, Logan, Mason. Mingo, Putnam and Wayne counties. Residents in these counties must apply in person to any Western Regional Library System member library (with the exception of Mason County) to receive privileges. These privileges include borrowing print and audiovisual materials and the ability to remotely access the Library’s subscription electronic databases and downloadable audio books. The counties in Kentucky within Western Regional’s service area are Greenup, Johnson, Carter, Lawrence, Boyd, Martin, Floyd, Pike and Elliott.

The libraries belonging to the Westem Regional Library System will be giving new patrons beautiful new cards and accompanying keychaln cards starting in September. There will be a slight charge for replacing old cards.

For further information concerning the library cards, call any of the local libraries or go to http://cabell.lib.wv.us/ and click on the link.