My school days may be a few years behind me, but September still feels like the unofficial start of a new year. It’s a time when the hottest days of summer slip past us, the air turns crisp, and the energy of a new season begins. Every parent wants their child to succeed, and one of the simplest ways to ensure a child’s academic success is by making a quick trip to the library. There is no better time than Library Card Sign-up Month to make this happen. This September, the St. Johns County Public Library System joins with the American Library Association and public libraries across the nation to make sure all children have the most important school supply of all—a free library card.

A library card is your ticket to free educational resources and activities that bring families and friends together. Libraries not only provide resources to parents and children that support early literacy and lifelong learning, but they truly transform how families spend time together. We encourage new community members to come to their local library and get a new library card. With six library locations throughout St. Johns County, and two travelling bookmobiles, you are sure to find a library close by.

Throughout the month of September, the library system will offer special events and promotions in celebration of Library Card Sign-Up Month. One such promotion includes a recent library partner, the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra! All current and new SJCPLS library card holders can receive a 20% discount off of select concerts during the 2021 – 2022 season! Go to www.JaxSymphony.org and use the promotional code SJCLIB. Individual symphony tickets go on sale Tuesday, September 7. Contact your local library or visit www.sjcpls.org for more details.

This year SJCPLS is offering children the opportunity to Read Down Your Fines at the Hastings Branch and Main Branch libraries during September. This pilot project will remove $1.00 in late fines for every 30 minutes the child reads inside the library. Contact the Main Branch or Hastings Branch libraries for more details.

And, lastly….September 28 is National Voter Registration Day. Did you know it only takes an average of two minutes to register? Did you know that you can register to vote at any SJCPLS location, including the bookmobiles? You can register to vote or update your voter information, all while visiting your local library.

Whether you need to get a library card, need something to read or watch, have something to research, have to pay some overdue fines, or need to register to vote………your local SJCPLS libraries and bookmobiles truly have something for EVERYONE! Stop in during September and check us out! You’ll be amazed at everything we have to offer!

Sincerely,