Library Buzz
Editor’s note: This is a weekly column that provides readers with insight into the happenings of the four county libraries.
You’re invited! September is Library Card Sign-Up Month, and all of us at Botetourt County Libraries want you to join in the celebration.
Library Card Sign-Up Month reminds us all how important a library card is for lifelong learning. In future columns, we’ll talk about the value of a library card and the doors it opens for you.
In the meantime, we’d love to see you at one of our Open House events! We’ll have refreshments, children’s crafts and other fun activities – all for free. Please note that our libraries will be noisier than usual during Open House events, so if you need to a place for quiet study, plan accordingly. Special thanks to the Friends of the Library (non-profit groups supporting each library branch) for their contributions – we couldn’t host these events without them! No RSVP required; just show up.
When/Where:
Saturday, Sept. 7, 9 am-1 pm – Buchanan Library
Saturday, Sept. 14, 9 am-1 pm – Eagle Rock Library
Saturday, Sept. 21, 9 am-3 pm – Fincastle Library
Saturday, Sept. 28, 9 am-2 pm – Blue Ridge Library
Not using your library card because of overdue fines? We hate to see anyone miss out on the resources and services we offer because they can’t afford to pay or are embarrassed by having overdue fines or long-overdue items. So we’re giving everyone a chance to start over with a clean slate: attend any BCL Open House event and get all your overdue fines forgiven! Here’s the fine print: fine forgiveness will be given at the location hosting the event, during that event time only, and any outstanding overdue items must be returned before the fines on those items can be forgiven.
Don’t have a library card? No problem, anyone from babies to adults (age 0+) can get library cards. Bring a photo ID and proof of physical residence to get a FREE library card. Minors require a parent/guardian signature. Bonus: for children and teens getting their first library card, we have special library card designs they can choose from while supplies last.
Haven’t used your library card in a while? Library cards need to be updated every two years. Come in or call us so we can update your information. If you’ve lost your card, you can get a replacement for $1.
What can you do with a library card? For one thing, you can save the money you’ve been paying to Amazon and check out books, movies, music, magazines, audiobooks, video games, e-books, e-audiobooks and more (like telescopes, puzzles and seeds). You can also use Ancestry.com, take online classes (crafts, languages, hobbies, computers and more), use library public computers, print in B&W and color, get one-on-one technology instruction, book public meeting spaces, get personalized reading recommendations, attend special events, use wifi, meet new friends and more – all free of charge.
Do you have a library card?
-Audrey Clark
Fincastle Library
