Best bargain? A library card

Every resident of Ouachita Parish has access to a little piece of plastic that is the key card to the world.

It comes with no monthly payments, but it has the potential to stimulate interest.

It is, without a doubt, the best bargain any member of this community can access. It’s a library card.

Today marks the beginning of National Library Card Sign-up Month, and the folks of the Ouachita Parish Public Library system have a full calendar of school and community outreach events planned.

But here’s the short version:

Your library is not just a system of brick-and-mortar buildings where there are programs and activities for all ages, there are also collections far beyond the stacks of books. You can check out audio books, music and movies. You can access newspapers and magazines. You can surf the internet. You can research anything imaginable. You can get homework help.

Once you possess that library card, all you need is an internet connection and a computer, tablet or phone to access many of the same services. You can indeed check out audiobooks, digital books and other library assets from the comfort of your home. You can do it at midnight in your pajamas if you want.

What’s even better is the library’s collection of digital assets grows every week, and includes access to bestsellers as well as classics. You can subscribe to an electronic newsletter that tells you each week what assets the library has added.

Now, the library’s efforts toward National Library Card Sign-up Month will include an effort to engage young readers. There’ll be a drawing for children who sign up for and/or use their library card during the month of September. Library staff will visit every first grade class in the parish to explain why having and using a library card is important, and what services are available.

The Peanuts’ character Snoopy is the honorary chair of this effort, and the staff is working with the Strauss Academy for the Arts’ production of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” and Pecanland Mall to reach out to area residents and make signing up for a library card easy and convenient.

The library also is hosting a drawing at each branch for a prize package that includes tickets for the upcoming “The Peanuts Movie”, a Snoopy toy, a Peanuts book, posters and other Peanuts-themed items. Children up to the age of 16 can enter by either signing up for a library card or bringing their library card to their local branch and using it.

We’re totally sold on the value of a Ouachita Parish Public Library card. It’s a treasure.

Get one and start using it, and you’ll see what we mean.

The editorials in this column represent the opinions of The News-Star’s editorial board, composed of General Manager and Executive Editor Kathy Spurlock, Engagement and Community Content Editor Hope Young, Watchdog and Content Coach Mark Henderson and Business and Politics Reporter Greg Hilburn.