Library Card Sign-up Month Across Wisconsin

The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction is thanking our state’s libraries for encouraging its community members to apply for or renew their library cards during National Library Card Sign-up Month.

Assistant State Superintendent for the Division for Libraries and Technology Dr. Darrell Williams spent September traveling to various libraries across the state and witnessed firsthand the creative ways library staff showed just how many unique resources you can check out with your library card.

Dr. Williams started the month in Milwaukee, first to ring in the school year at several school libraries whose teachers work with the local public libraries to make sure students have library cards and access to public library materials, even if they can’t visit the public library in person. Afterwards, he stopped at West-Allis Public Library to see their laptop kiosk and a playful children’s section.

Next stop took him to Ozaukee County where Cedarburg Public Library’s staff is posterized encouraging patrons to sign-up for their library card. Dr. Williams searched through the Library of Things, which allows library card holders to checkout cookware, a ukelele, pickle ball equipment, and even a turntable to play vinyl records. He also toyed with the Tinker Lab for all sorts of art and science activities. While touring the USS Liberty Memorial Public Library in Grafton, he heard about their themed book selection in which some upcoming tv shows are based. At the Frank L. Weyenburg Library in Mequon, he searched through the library's Discovery Kits, which included a microscope playset and viewed a local artist's quilted artwork on display.

Midway through the month, Dr. Williams had the privilege of attending the grand opening of the HoChunk Nation Tribal Library – Waagax Hakiruxaraxara Hosto. While just at the start of their journey to make literary resources more accessible to their community members, the library showcased how they are preserving their cultural heritage and sharing it with library users.

Always on the go, Dr. Williams traveled to the Door County Public Library’s branches, which are unique in that they look for ways to meet the needs of their community, but as a tourist area, must also meet the needs of those stopping in for a short amount of time. The DC Egg Harbor, Baileys Harbor, and Sturgeon Bay’s children’s areas are a nice stop for families who need some quiet time amid the hustle and bustle of their vacation. The libraries also provide access to resources needed for their community members who live there year-round including community gathering spaces and craft classes.

Hopping a ferry to Washington Island, Dr. Williams stopped at the public school and neighboring public library. While serving a smaller population, the active public library sees their computers widely used along with regular book checkouts and activities ready in the children’s section as kids drop in.

Finishing up in the southwest portion of the state, Dr. Williams visited Blanchardville, Dodgeville, and Barneveld Public Libraries.

Creativity reigns in these libraries. He tested their fun and inviting children and teen spaces, including the makerspace cart that can move to wherever needed for an activity. Finding many of the libraries short on space, they have had to think large and use other community buildings for story time or their local history collections. 

As National Library Card Sign-up Month comes to a close, celebrating our librarians, staff, and volunteers continues year-round. Dr. Williams and the DPI's Library Services Teams thank you for your incredible dedication. Your tireless efforts create welcoming spaces that empower every community member to explore, learn, and connect. Together, let's keep that library card magic alive, inspiring curiosity and fostering lifelong learning throughout our state.