September is National Library Card Sign-Up Month. (Who knew?) I assume September was chosen because it’s close to the start of the school year and that means books—academic, as well as pleasure. September also has national book-related days. September 6 was read a book day. (A physical book you can hold in your hands.) Today, September 18, is read an e-book day. Both days are easier—and cheaper—to celebrate if you have a library card or cards. (I have three, two from libraries in Texas and one from here in Tennessee.)
While I’m old school—I love holding an actual book in my hands—I have learned to enjoy and appreciate the benefits of e-books. What’s better than “instant book?” (Assuming, that is, all copies of the book you want aren’t already checked out.) E-books (and audiobooks) are also convenient if you do a lot of traveling. You can carry a shelf full of books on your reader, phone, or tablet without having to lug around a suitcase full of books.
Why Read?
The serious answer: “Reading helps brain development and provides a solid foundation of the language and literacy skills.”1
The fun answer: Simple enjoyment and entertainment. Reading a book allows you to visit new worlds, old worlds, join famous detectives as they solve interesting mysteries, fall in love with heroes and heroines, or learn more about interesting and/or famous people.
If you don’t already have a library card, visit your local or nearby city library and get one. Don’t have a library nearby? Check out the Online Library Resource links listed below. If you don’t mind paying a small monthly fee, you should also check out sites like Scribd or Amazon’s Kindle Unlimited.
Library “Did You Knows”
- DYK the oldest operating library in the world, dating from the mid-6th century C.E., is St. Catherine’s Monastery in Sinai, Egypt?
- DYK the most extensive collection of religious material in the world is housed in the Vatican?
- DYK it’s believed that Aristotle’s private collection of books burned in the fire that destroyed the Great Library of Alexandria (apx. 640 C.E.).
- DYK the U.S. Library of Congress is the largest library in the world? It contains over 150 million items on 830 miles of shelves.
- DYK you can put a library in front of your house? There are more than 100,000 Little Free Libraries around the world.2
Online Library Resources
Free Online Libraries You Should Know About
A Guide To Finding Digital Books: 20+ Free Online Libraries
5 Digital Libraries Where You Can Download Ebooks for Free
1https://nationaldaycalendar.com/national-library-card-sign-up-month-september/
2https://littlefreelibrary.org/