NYPL Launches Library Card Drive, January 28, at Hunt’s Point Branch Library

Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion, Jr. and City Council Member José M. Serrano Will Attend and Be Among the First Elected Officials to Sign Up for New Library Cards

Library CardNew York, NY, January 21, 2004 -- On Wednesday, January 28, at 3:30 p.m. Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion, Jr. New York City Council Member José M. Serrano, New York Public Library President Dr. Paul LeClerc, and Director of The Branch Libraries Mary K. Conwell will be joined by school children and other members of the community to launch a Library Card Drive designed to encourage thousands of New York City school children and adults to sign up. The event will take place at the Hunt’s Point Library, 877 Southern Boulevard in the Bronx, and will feature a special magic show for children and an appearance by the Library’s lion mascot, Fortitude.

“The goal of this Drive is to achieve at least a 10% increase in the number of new library card applications through the end of this year,” said Dr. LeClerc. “That translates into nearly 200,000 new card users. Everyone who lives, works, pays property taxes, or attends school in New York State is eligible for a New York Public Library card. The cards are free, they provide access to the vast resources available in the Branch Libraries, and it takes only minutes to register.”

In addition to being able to borrow books, videos, DVDs, CDs, and other items, customers may reserve library materials from home by computer, check the status of their accounts, and renew materials by phone or computer. Library card holders may also get real-time answers to their questions through the “Ask Librarians Online” service in English and “¡Información en Vivo!” in Spanish, as well as use many of the Library’s subscription-based databases from home, all for free. The newly designed four-color cards feature a lively new look, also introduced recently on branch banners and brochures. And for the first time, the library cards come with a duplicate keychain card.

Borough President Carrion said, “The 35 branches of The New York Public Library in the Bronx are cornerstones of our communities, providing critical services to all. This card is a symbol of all the free educational and recreational services that The Library has to offer. Whether you are using the library’s computers to find a job, health information, an article in the newspaper, or simply checking out a book or attending one of the many free programs, I encourage everyone to sign up, attach the card to your keychain, and use it to explore the world without having to leave your neighborhood.”

“I am thrilled that I will be the proud owner of a newly-designed card, which signifies a very bright future for The New York Public Library,” said Council Member Serrano. “The Library Card Drive is exciting and will hopefully introduce a new generation of New Yorkers to this essential resource.”

Mary K. Conwell, Director of The Branch Libraries, added, “Among a child’s strongest early memories is the thrill of getting his or her own first library card. No child -- or adult -- should be without one. It is the key that enables a person to step outside his own universe and discover that the library is right there to encourage everyone to learn, grow, and change.” The new library cards may be used for a lifetime without renewals, and are valid at all 85 NYPL branches in the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island. Customers with older library cards need not re-register for a new card, although they are welcome to do so. Free classes on learning how to use a computer, to speak English, or to read and write, as well as thousands of other library programs, are available without a library card.

The Library Card Drive and “Take Out/Give Back”
The Library Card Drive is held in conjunction with the Library’s “Take Out/Give Back” fundraising campaign, which encourages donors to contribute a minimum of $17, the average cost of buying a book. “We are encouraging New Yorkers to give back a little something to the library that has served them well over a lifetime,” said Library President Paul LeClerc. “With their help, we can continue to provide the best service to the parents who come with their children, to the college students about to embark on the world, and to all of the others who depend on us and our vast, free resources. We encourage everyone to use their library cards to “Take Out” something of interest to them.”

The Branch Libraries
Neighborhood libraries serve customers of all ages with books, computers, programs, and other services tailored to community and age-level needs. There are 6.8 million items in the branch system, including over 4 million books. The remainder consists of films, DVDs, videotapes, materials for visually impaired readers, orchestral parts, pictures, audio recordings in many formats, and similar items. Currently, there are 1.97 million library cardholders. There were 12 million patron visits in FY 2003, with attendance at 26,000 programs, including 3,600 technology-training sessions.

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Contact: Jennifer Bertrand, 212.704-8600

 

 

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