Library cards are an important commodity

PINE PLAINS — September is a special month around these parts, especially for those who plan on frequenting their local libraries more often in the near future. That’s because September is library card sign-up month, during which libraries throughout the Harlem Valley are hoping to enlist as many customers as possible. The Pine Plains Free Library is numbered among those hopeful of obtaining more users.

“That’s my business,†said Pine Plains librarian Marguerite Hill. “There are so many things you can get with a library card, not only books. There are DVDs, CDs, books on tape and CD Rom, now it’s even easier to get certain magazine articles like consumer reports or medical advisements, just by using your library card. There are so many things that you can use your library card for.â€

And it’s not hard to obtain, nor does it cost a cent. Just walk into your local library and show your ID, which will be checked in the library’s data base to make sure you don’t already have a library card within the system.

“You can walk out with it. It probably takes all of five minutes, and it’s forever,†Hill said, adding the library does like to have cards renewed every three years so that it’s kept updated within the system. That way if people change their address or telephone number it will be kept current in the library’s files.

The best part about having a library card is that usage is universal within the Mid-Hudson Library System, which incorporates five counties throughout the Hudson Valley.

“Someone just came here from Hyde Park, and took out three items, but he doesn’t have to come back here to return them,†Hill explained. “He can go back to his library in Hyde Park to return the items, or to any other library within the system.â€

The same holds true with reserving books, or any other items available throughout the library. These days those “other items†refer to a vast array of materials. In addition to the ones mentioned above there are resources available in-house that the library offers its users. There are computers, with Internet access, as well as word processors for the public to use. There are also all sorts of reference guides to help adults, as well as students who use the library in their research projects during the school year.

“Of course, the best school supply is a library card, for any age,†Hill said. “I know the high school was trying to encourage students to apply for a card for reports, because they could get books from other libraries to be sent and picked up here.â€

For those who enjoy participating in some of the Pine Plains library’s scheduled events, they are usually free and open to the public. There are offerings ranging from book discussion groups to preschool story time.

As far as obtaining an application for a library card, Hill said it’s a simple procedure.

“It’s never too late to get a card. For an application, come in and ask for one, even if we’re almost closing and they come in, I will just hand them the application and then they can even mail it in. There’s no age  requirement, although if they’re under 18 they do have to have a parent sign it,†she said. “But I would probably even give one to a baby, if the parent is responsible.â€

For more information on the Pine Plains Free Library, call 518-398-1927, or go online to pineplians.lib.ny.us. Its hours of operation are Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m.; Tuesday and Friday from 2 to 5:30 p.m. and then 7 to 9 p.m.; and Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon, and 2 to 5:30 p.m.