On Tuesday, September 9, 2008, Perry Library’s “Discover the Value of a Library Card” campaign begins with a special Kick-Off Reception to be held in Perry Library’s McGregor Gallery from 5:00-7:00 p.m.
Highlights include a photo exhibit featuring a small sample of Perry Library’s large community of readers and live guitar music provided by Wayne Kinton. There will also be displays, demonstrations, refreshments, entertainment, prize drawings from local businesses, and other giveaways. Throughout the month of September everyone over the age of fourteen who signs up for a library card will have their names entered in a drawing for a grand prize while every young person age thirteen and under will receive a free book. Parents take note – a library card is every student’s most important school supply.
Library Card Sign-up Month is an annual event, a time when libraries across North Carolina and the nation spread the message about the value of a library card. Grammy winning saxophonist and Durham resident, Branford Marsalis, leads this year’s North Carolina campaign, “The Smartest Card, Get it. Use it. @ your Library.” Your Perry library card provides free access to books, magazines, newspapers, programs, audio books, videos, DVDs and the Internet. Students of all ages, kindergarteners to Ph.D. candidates can access 24/7 homework help or research via NC Live, North Carolina’s electronic library. “The library is an excellent resource for education, information and research that is provided to all county residents,” notes Scott Hughes.
People enjoy Perry Library for a variety of reasons. Many people enjoy the type of escape that reading provides. Deborah Brown asks, “Love to travel? Read! Visit out own Perry Library for a cost-saving trip!” Stephanie Taylor adds, “I thoroughly enjoy going to the library to explore new places and worlds through reading.”
Others appreciate the lifelong learning opportunities available at Perry Library. Dawn-Grace Stokes would like people to know, “You learn a lot and have lots of fun!” Shelley R. Woodard agrees, “The public library is a good place for adults and children to go and learn and do research,” she said. Mary Emma Evans declares, “If you think education is expensive, try ignorance.” “The library is the temple of learning,” says Cornell Manning.
Many people find that libraries provide nutrition and work-out sessions for the brain. Henry Hight, Jr. states, “Reading is as important to my life as food and drink. I have to feed my mind in order to live.” John R. van Venrooy adds, “I love to read! Reading is exercise for the mind.”
The public library is an integral part of people’s lives. “I use the library because books and reading are as basic to me as breathing and eating,” said Kermit Ellis. Bennett Perry commented, “I lived my entire life within two or three blocks of a public library. I enjoy reading. The new library is a great asset to the community.” Alzada Terry, is a frequent visitor and agrees that Perry Library is a valuable part of Henderson. She reads “a variety of books and magazines for personal enrichment as well as educational purposes.”
Perhaps Perry patron, fourteen-year old Micah Stokes put it best when he said, “A little piece of plastic can open big possibilities.”