September is Library Card Signup Month, and the County of San Luis Obispo Public Libraries wants to remind residents about the value of a library card.  

“If you don’t have a card or you haven’t used your card in a while, now’s a great time to discover how much the library has to offer and how much money you could save using the library,” said the Library’s engagement and marketing coordinator, Erica Thatcher. “A library card is a tool for success in so many ways.” 

By borrowing instead of buying, cardholders save hundreds of dollars. They can shop the library’s online catalog—a collection of hundreds of thousands of new and classic books and DVDs—and request titles to be delivered to their favorite library, or they can browse the shelves in real life.  

There are no request fees or overdue fees. 

“Our patrons tell us how good it feels to fill up their book bags with quality free stuff—it’s a dopamine hit,” said Thatcher. 

Readers also have access to thousands of free eBooks, audiobooks, and digital magazines through the library’s free Libby, cloudLibrary, and Hoopla services. The library also offers the free online streaming movie service Kanopy. 

A library card gives creatives and professionals free online access to LinkedIn Learning, Coursera, and SkillShare. Adventurers can borrow passes to California cultural venues through the library’s Discover & Go and parks pass programs; foodies can save by borrowing cookbooks or an energy efficient induction cooktop. 

“I love to show people how much they can save,” said Thatcher. “According to the online calculator at ILoveLibraries.org a family could save about $2300 by borrowing three bags of adult books, a few stacks of picture books, and two museum passes, instead of buying.” 

Library Card Signup Month is an annual initiative from the American Library Association that highlights the value of a library card for lifelong learning. Visit slolibrary.org for more information about library cards, services, and locations.