The Ins-and-Outs of Your Library Card

One Card, Endless Possibilities 

September is Library Card Sign Up Month! That means we need to remind you of all the wonderful perks of being a library card holder. In the words of Arthur, “Having fun isn’t hard, when you’ve got a library card!”

Why get a library card?

In today’s society, finding free fun can be a challenge. Whether you’re looking for something to do by yourself, with friends, or for the family, most activities cost money - lots of money. But did you know that there are still places out there offering services for free? One of those places, and my personal favorite, is public libraries!

To best utilize a public library, you are going to want a library card. Library cards are free, and signing up is easy with the Goddard Public Library. You can even check out materials the same day you sign up for your card! How do you get one? You just need a photo ID and proof of your current address. You don’t even have to live within Goddard’s city limits to sign up for a card with us, as long as you are a Kansas resident you are welcome to be our patron!

Did you know that your Goddard Public Library card gives you access to materials beyond our library? That’s right, we are a member of the KanShare library system! This means we can share materials between several area libraries, including:

• Andover Public Library

• Augusta Public Library 

• Bradford Memorial Library (El Dorado)

• Derby Public Library

• Goddard Public Library

• Mulvane Public Library

• Park City Public Library

• Rose Hill Public Library

Looking for a specific book that we don’t have? Don’t worry, you probably don’t need to buy it! Chances are, one of these libraries has what you’re looking for. We can place the material on hold and it will be delivered to our library, for FREE!

What other perks does a library card have? So many! Let’s explore them all…

Our ‘Non-Book’ Items

Movies

With your library card, you have access to our collection of movies. We have a large selection of Action, Comedy, Romance, Family, Drama, Series, and Children’s DVDs. We also have Binge Bags, which include 3-4 movies, a bag of popcorn, and a box of candy, all for, you guessed it, FREE!

eBooks and eAudiobooks

Your Goddard Public Library card also gives you access to digital books and audiobooks through the Libby app! We are a part of the Sunflower eLibrary system, meaning you have access to thousands of materials right at your fingertips! Libby books can even be read on your Kindle. You just have to select ‘Read with Kindle’ and then sign in to your Kindle account. You may have to sync your Kindle or restart it for your loan to show.

Early Literacy Multisensory Kits (Multisensory or ELMS Kits)

Our Multisensory Kits are affectionately referred to as ‘story time in a bag’ by our staff. These bags include a few books, learning activities, and a felt story. These kits are designed to set young children up with early literacy skills they will need to learn to read in a fun, interactive way.

Learning Kits

Learning Kits are pretty similar to our Multisensory Kits, just geared towards an older audience. We have baking kits, American Girl Doll kits, a Hot Wheels kit, fishing kit, pickleball kits, disc golf kits, and more.

Library of Things Items

Our Library of Things is simple: a library of non-book things. In today’s digital age, consistent access to internet is vital. The library tries to bridge this gap by not only offering in-library Wi-Fi use, but also offering hotspots for checkout. We have computers for patron use, as well as laptops for checkout. Our Library of Things also includes our Radon Test Kit, Testing the Waters Kit, and an iFixIt Tool Kit.

Experience Passes

Some of our most popular items by far are our Experience Passes. This year, our patrons can place holds on our Tanganyika Pass, Exploration Place Pass, Botanica Pass, or our Wichita Art Museum Pass. We also have other seasonal passes, so be sure to check our social media accounts for the most updated information: Facebook and Instagram.

Libraries Beyond Materials

All of the things mentioned above are some really great benefits to having a library card. But did you know that there are other benefits that go beyond just checking out materials? At the Goddard Public Library, we have many programs for our cardholders, and even non-cardholders, to participate in. 

Programs

The library offers many different programs throughout the year. Our biggest program of the year is our Summer Reading Program, which runs yearly in June and July. We have various events and guest performers throughout those months. The best part is that this program helps children to maintain their reading skills in the time that they are not receiving constant instruction from their teachers. 

Some other programs include Goddard Puppet Ladies shows, our various Book Clubs, including our newest club; Books & Conversations a book club in partnership with the Goddard Senior Center, Lego Club, Story Time, and so many more!

Needless to say, a library card comes with many perks. If you’ve ever wondered whether you should get one or not, let this serve as your sign that it is well worth it! Whether you are an avid reader or not, libraries have something to offer for everyone. Remember, anyone can have fun with a library card!