For immediate release

August 30, 2004 –Fort Myers, FL – September is national Library Card Sign-up Month, and Lee County Library System wants to remind you that “The Smartest Card is @ your library” – it’s your library card.

“Your library card is your ticket to opportunity,” said Heather O’Connell, Community Relations Specialist for the Lee County Library System. “What other card gives you free access to books and magazines, CDs and DVDs, movies and all sorts of other resources that can change your life - or just make it a little more
fun?” 

To promote Library Card Sign-up Month, Lee County Library System is joining the Public Library Association (PLA), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), and public libraries across the country to promote “The Smartest Card @ your library,” a campaign to make the library card the most valued and used card in every wallet.  The campaign also reminds the public that public libraries are partners for vibrant and educated communities, essential for a free people, and places of opportunity.

Lee County Library System locations will be handing out special bookmarks that list some of the many ways you can use your library card.  Library System staff will be appearing at many locations outside of library buildings to issue cards, including the Miracle Baseball Fan Appreciation Night game on Saturday, September 4.  People signing up for a card at the game will receive a special prize. At the September 7th meeting of the Lee County Board of County Commissioners, September will be officially proclaimed as Library Card Sign-Up Month.

For more information on how you can sign up for your library card, visit your closest Lee County Library System location, call (239) 479-INFO, or see the library’s Web site at www.lee-county.com/library.