McAllen, McAllen Public Library, Library Card Sign-Up Month, Marty the Library Cat
Staff Report
McAllen TX - The McAllen Public Library is celebrating Library Card Sign-Up Month in September by inviting residents to obtain a free library card.
A free MPL card provides access to books, eBooks, audiobooks, streaming movies, eMagazines, programs, video games and online resources, according to the library. This year, the library is introducing a new MPL Kids card featuring Marty the Library Cat.
MPL serves the McAllen and Rio Grande Valley community through three branch libraries. The library’s collection includes audiobooks, Blu-rays, books, DVDs, eBooks, eMagazines, music CDs, and magazine and newspaper subscriptions, and cardholders may borrow up to 25 items at a time with a three-week loan period. The library also offers Ask a Librarian assistance, interlibrary loan, services for patrons with disabilities, study rooms, test proctoring and tours.
Through its eBranch, launched in 2014, MPL cardholders can access free digital resources including eBooks, audiobooks, research databases, online tutoring and genealogy resources from home or on the go using a library card number and PIN.
Library Card Sign-Up Month is a national observance established by the American Library Association in 1987, following a challenge from then-U.S. Secretary of Education William Bennett, who said, “Let’s have a national campaign. Every child should obtain a library card and use it.” The observance was first held in September the following year and has continued each fall since, with public and school libraries nationwide encouraging children and adults to sign up for library cards.
Source - McAllen Public Library; American Library Association