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Maine State Library LibGuides: Library Card Sign-Up Month

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Library Card Sign-Up Month Logo

Library Card Sign-Up Month

Since 1988, Library Card Sign-up Month has been held each September. It's a concerted effort to make communities aware of the power of having a library card, showcasing all the many possibilities that having this card can unlock. There are many ways to promote this national celebration sponsored by the American Library Association and demonstrate to your own community all that your library has to offer. This year's slogan is "One card, Endless Possibilities."

There's an exciting partnership with Maine's Parks and Lands Bureau this year: On Saturday, September 20, 2025, all Maine library card holders will have FREE admission to Maine's state parks! It's an excellent collaboration and great incentive for Maine residents to sign up for a library card this month! See the press release and click on the State Park Free Day tab below to learn more. 

Find more information at ALA's Library Card Sign-Up Month web page, which provides a toolkit including social media graphics, sample press releases, Canva templates to make graphics, programming and promotional ideas, and more. And explore this LibGuide for more ideas!

Library Card Sign-Up Month Ideas

Thanks to an excellent partnership with Maine State Parks, on September 20, 2025, all Maine library card holders will have free entry to participating Maine state parks and historic sites! It's a great incentive for Mainers to sign up for library cards during Library Card Sign-Up Month, and for all to experience one more benefit to having this powerful card.

Promote this free day in your community using these resources:

Free admission applies to day-use at Maine State Parks and Historic Sites on Saturday, September 20, from 9:00 a.m. until closing.

The free admission does not apply to:

  • Acadia National Park
  • Allagash Wilderness Waterway
  • Baxter State Park
  • Maine Wildlife Park
  • Peacock Beach
  • Scarborough Beach
  • Swan Island
  • Penobscot River Corridor
  • Penobscot Narrows Observatory in Prospect

Library Card Sign-Up Month Display and Programming Ideas

  • Provide a space where people write down the first book they check-out with their new library card (or if they remember, the first book they ever checked out from a library).
  • Have a giant library card made out of cardboard for promotion and selfies!
  • Have a single day during the month as a “Library Card Bonanza." Turn it into an event! Have coffee/tea/etc., some snacks, music, whatever you like, and encourage people to come by during that day to sign up for a card.
  • If possible, waive the cost of replacement cards during the month of September.
  • Ask all of your community partners to promote Library Card Sign-Up Month.
  • Display Governor Mills' Library Card Sign-Up Month proclamation in your library.
  • Visit local schools to promote Library Card Sign-Up Month. If there's a school near your library, invite classes to visit the library. 
  • Same for senior centers and retirement homes!
  • Reach out to the homeschooling community in your area and remind them to be sure all family members have library cards. 
  • Have a Little Free Library or StoryWalk? Stock them with flyers or bookmarks about Library Card Sign-Up Month.
  • Have a passive program to invite patrons to design their own library cards. Provide simple craft materials, and a bulletin board for patrons to display their creations.
  • To entice new library cardholders to visit the library often, enter them into a prize drawing every time they return throughout September. On the last day of the month, choose a winner or 2 and provide them with library swag or a git card donated by a local business.
  • Collaborate with local businesses!
    • Arrange a discount at a local store for patrons that show their library card during the month of September.
    • Have a pop-up at a local business where patrons can sign up for a card. For example, “A free slice of cheese pizza at Oscar’s between 11 and 1 if you sign up for a library card. If you already have a card, you can get a free order of breadsticks with your order.” (Idea from Kokomo-Howard County PL, Kokomo, IN)

Find more ideas here:

Use #LibraryCardSignUpMonth when promoting your library and related programming!

Share your promotions and programs with your colleagues! Write a short description of how your library is encouraging library card signups and post it on MELIBS to inspire others.

Library Card Sign-Up Month Partnership Possibilities

Consider approaching these types of organizations to partner around Library Card Sign-Up Month:

  • K-12 schools, afterschool programs and homeschool groups
  • Local businesses
  • Social service agencies (WIC, food banks, health clinics, etc.)
  • Senior centers and retirement homes
  • Local governments
  • Local media