I need your help. September is Library Card Sign-Up Month -- a time when the American Library Association and libraries across the country remind parents that a library card is the most important school supply of all.

Libraries play an important role in the education and development of children. Studies show that children who are read to in the home and who use the library perform better in school and are more likely to continue to use the library as a source of lifetime learning.

It makes sense -- why buy when you can borrow? The Marshall Public Library is a gold mine of books, movies, magazines and other great stuff.

Here's where you come in -- I would like to have 150 people sign up for new library cards in September! Every person who gets a new library card in September will receive the gift of a book -- no matter what age. The only requirement is that you must not have had a card previously. If you have been waiting for the right time to bring your child to get a library card, September is it!

In order to get a library card, City of Marshall residents must be at least three years old and provide both a picture ID and proof of residency (a piece of mail will work). Parents must sign for children 17 and under. County residents can call the library for information on obtaining a library card.

Keep an eye out for the Marshall Public Library staff to be out at school events, toting our laminating machine in hopes of increasing our number of cardholders. And I'll see you at the library!

Memorial gifts

Thank you to Sharon and Henry Mills for the memorial gift in honor of Wilbert Blumhorst.

New books

Fiction:

"Lethal Justice" -- Fern Michaels

"Second Wave" -- Anne McCaffrey

"The Memory Keeper's Daughter" -- Kim Edwards

Non-fiction:

"Murder in the Heartland" -- M. William Phelps

"Might and the Almighty" -- Madeline Albright

"Insight: Case Files from the Psychic World" -- Sylvia Browne

Library events

The regular story time schedule resumes in September.

Preschool Story Time each Tuesday morning at 10 a.m. Games, stories, crafts. Appropriate for children approximately 3 to 7 years old.

Pajama Story Time each Monday at 7 p.m. Everyone is welcome. Wear your jammies or come as you are. Games, crafts, stories.

Wee Ones Lap Time Story Times for babies up to 24 months old, each Wednesday at 10 a.m. Interactive finger play and song time for mothers and babies.

Travel With Lewis & Clark Series every other Tuesday of the month, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Moderated by Marvin Wilhite.

How can I support the Marshall Public Library?

Bring your receipts from Patricia's into the library when you're returning or checking out books. Each month, Patricia's Foods will donate a portion of the collected receipts to the library.

When purchasing items from Amazon.com, use the link to Amazon that appears on the Marshall Public Library's Website: www.marshallpubliclibrary.com. A portion of your purchase will go to support the library.

Consider joining Friends of the Marshall Libraries. Membership forms are available at the library.

Honor a mentor. Celebrate a friend. Commemorate an event. A gift to the Marshall Public Library is a unique and enduring way to pay tribute to friends and family. Your generosity will be a lasting source of joy and enrichment for the community.

For additional information, please call (660) 886-3391 with any questions.