It’s Library Card Sign-Up Month
This September, Botetourt County Libraries join other public libraries in the U.S. to celebrate Library Card Sign-Up Month, a time when we encourage you to take advantage of the resources and services freely available to you.
If you already have a library card, congratulations! If you don’t – well, we think you should!
Public library membership is free to every Botetourt resident. There are no special requirements to join, other than showing your ID and address so we know you’re really you and live around here.
Unlike most “free” memberships offered by various businesses, there’s no secret gotcha in public libraries. We don’t pressure you to spend money or sell your information to third parties. When you sign up, your personal information and the records of what you access are protected by law (VA Code § 2.2-3705.7, paragraph 3). We’re a little over the top about privacy, because we know that many people may hesitate to explore broadly if they think their reading, viewing or listening material will be broadcast to family or neighbors. Your freedom to explore a broad world of ideas is crucial to keeping democracy alive and healthy.
The public library is the ultimate democratic institution. Our goal is to make sure that every person in Botetourt has access to reliable and diverse sources of information that will help them make better decisions and improve their quality of life. We make sure you have access to public records to keep government accountable, to current news sources so you can be well informed, and to research resources so you can dig deep into a subject. We encourage you to explore broadly so you can decide your position for yourself, change your mind when new information adjusts your perspective, and understand people who disagree with you so you can be a better neighbor in a caring community.
There’s something for everyone at the public library. You can bring your child to StoryTime so they can acquire the early literacy skills that set them up for success in school. You can find a safe place to indulge in your endless curiosity about life and the world. You can step into a stranger’s shoes, experience real or imaginary worlds through their eyes, and find a new friend at the end of the journey. You can use free counseling sources for dealing with life’s hardships and access free education in nearly any subject. You can check out books, audiobooks, movies and music to spice up your life and offer relief from stress. You can find connections to local organizations and resources that offer the help you need, when you need it. You can use public computers and 24/7 WiFi to connect to high-speed Internet. You can travel the world from your armchair, even when COVID or other obstacles keep you from traveling physically. You can enjoy public space alone or with friends, and we bet you’ll make some new friends while you’re here.
Exercise your freedom of choice today, and join your public library. We can’t wait to meet you!