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The Most Valuable Tool in Your Wallet

Letter from the Library Director

Debra Rhodes Gibson, Library Director

St. Johns County Public Library

When many of us were growing up, there was an incredibly important item on our back-to-school supply list: the Library Card. With our library cards, we were able to pursue answers to questions that may have eluded us during our time in school, learn how to construct things that interested us, or simply seek a new favorite story to fall into. Besides fueling a love of reading, having a library card let us feel ownership of our choices, taught us responsibility, and gave us access to anything we ever dreamed of learning or experiencing.

Library Card Sign-Up Month was established to encourage every generation to dive into the wonders of the library by signing up for their own library card. Every September, the St. Johns County Public Library System joins with the American Library Association to promote the value of the public library card during our annual National Library Card Sign-Up campaign.

Banned Books Week is Sept. 18 through 24

Sharing stories important to us means sharing a part of ourselves. Banned Books Week serves as a reminder of stories' unifying power and censorship's divisiveness. Through the advocacy of librarians, booksellers, publishers, journalists, teachers, and readers of all ages, challenged books remain available and accessible. The American Library Association Office for Intellectual Freedom complies a list of challenged books, and you can learn more about this annual celebration at www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks.

Access Continuing Education With Your Library Card

Use your library card to tap into a powerful learning resource. Universa l Class offers over 500 lifelong learning courses in over 30 subject areas, many of which offer Continuing Education Units (CEUs). Access to each informative and engaging course is simple and accessible 24/7 from your phone or tablet. Courses include computer literacy, career training, cooking & baking, self-help, and many more. All courses are self-paced, and you do not need to be online at a specific date or time. Access Universal Class in the Libby app under "Extras."

SJCPLS for Color Blindness Awareness Month

SJCPLS is giving away two pairs of the innovative EnChroma glasses to promote color blindness awareness and accessibility during the month of September. To enter this contest, stop by any of our branch libraries and ask staff for an entry form. This contest runs through Sept. 30, and winners will be contacted by Oct. 6. Want to try these glasses? Speak to staff about checking out a pair today! For more information, visit our website, email [email protected], or call your local branch library.

Experience the Joy of Music Using Your Library Card

To help celebrate Library Card Sign-up Month, we have partnered with the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra. All current and new SJCPLS library card holders can receive a 20% discount off select concerts during the 2022-2023 season! Visit www.JaxSymphony.org and use the promo code SJCLIB when purchasing your ticket.

National Voter Registration Day is on September 20. According to U.S. Census data from 2020, as many as 1 and 4 eligible Americans are not registered to vote. Millions of Americans are unable to exercise this constitutional right because they missed a registration deadline, didn't update their registration, or they simply aren't sure how to register. Did you know registering to vote is as easy as going to your local library? Visit one of our libraries, ask our staff for a registration form, and celebrate democracy!

SJCPLS Libraries Closed for Labor Day

All SJCPLS libraries will be closed on Monday, Sept. 5, in observance of the Labor Day holiday. Book drops will remain open, and our virtual services such as ebooks, downloadables, and databases are available 24/7.

St. Johns County Public Library System | www.sjcpls.org