HELENA – September is National Library Card Sign-up Month and the Lewis and Clark Library are encouraging residents to come in and learn more about the programs and services they offer.
More than 30,000 people use the Lewis and Clark Library every year and many residents, especially in rural areas, depend on the services the library offers.
Library cards are free to anyone who lives in Lewis and Clark County and works at each branch location (Helena, East Helena, Lincoln and Augusta) or the Bookmobile.
Library Public Information Officer Patricia Spencer said a library card is one of the most important back-to-school items for students.
“Whether you’re researching a topic for for a health-based paper for school, looking to travel, for an internship or you’re just simply coming to look for something for entertainment, the library has it all,” said Spencer.
Library patrons have free access to STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) programs, educational apps, in-person and virtual homework help or technology workshops.
“Throughout the school year, our library offers a variety of programs to stimulate an interest in reading and learning,” said Lewis & Clark Library Director, John Finn. “Story hours expose young children to the joy of reading and encourage school readiness, while older children have access to technology and digital tools such as the Testing and Education Reference Center and many other helpful online resources and the help from library staff to use those resources.”
September also kicks off the library’s Big Read program featuring “Can’t We Talk About Something More Pleasant” by New York artist Roz Chast.
Copies of the book are still available at library branches, and a person only needs a library card to get a copy.
Chast will be speaking in Helena on Wednesday Sep. 5 beginning at 7 pm at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church to talk about her book.
For more information about the Lewis and Clark Library and all the Big Read planned events, visit here.
