I have worked for the Crawfordsville District Public Library for 24 years, but my journey with CDPL started long before then. From the time I started reading, I was an avid library patron. I inhaled books like I needed them to breathe. I read everything I could get my hands on — from Nancy Drew and R.L. Stine to Louise May Alcott and Charles Dickens. I joined the summer reading programs and dazzled over the prizes I could win just for doing something I loved.
However, books were not all the library provided to me. Once a week, my family would pick out movies for family nights. My friends and I would come to research homework for school. When I turned 16 I got my first job at the library shelving returned books. When I think back on the things that shaped me into the person I am today, the Crawfordsville District Public Library is a big part of that. To say it transformed my life is putting it lightly, but it’s a nice segue into this year’s Library Card Sign-up Month theme.
Just like your favorite Autobots, a library card can “transform” your life. At CDPL you can enjoy reading in all its forms: books, graphic novels, audiobooks, e-books, magazines, etc. … but you can also find movies and music, puzzles, and games. You can use our public computers or check out a hotspot and Chromebook to use at home. We even have record players and film projectors that can be checked out for 24 hours.
Here at CDPL, you can join the Genealogy Club, a book club (we have them for all ages!), a Mystery of History Club, Yarnworks if you love crafts, or a game of Dungeons and Dragons. You can sign up for a beginner’s computer class in the building or use a database on our website to learn a new language. Our Mary Bishop Memorial Art Gallery offers regular exhibits where you can check out local artists’ work and even purchase some new art.
Need to make copies or send a fax? You can do that here! Need a Peer Resource Navigator? We have one in twice a week. Need help dealing with a legal issue? There is a free legal service on the fourth Tuesday of every month. Looking to add more books to your personal collection? The Friends of the Library have a book sale on the second Saturday of every month in the basement; though they have way more than just books for sale!
Libraries really are more than meets the eye, and when you have a library card you open yourself up to a world of possibilities. This September is National Library Card Sign-up Month and we hope to reach 100 new patrons. Come in and see us, sign up, and check on our progress each week as we try to reach our goal. You can sign up in person at the Circulation Desk, or fill out an application online on our website. Already have a library card? It’s the perfect time to come in and renew for another year! Every week, when you check something out during the month of September, you can be entered to win some transforming prizes!
We are open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and 1-5 p.m. Sunday. We look forward to seeing you in the library. Roll out and read on!
Christie Hunt is the assistant manager in the Circulation Department at the Crawfordsville District Public Library.
