The Casper Journal :: Casper's Community Newspaper

Books open worlds of experience that we may never have the opportunity to enter in our “real” lives. Their characters and situations grow in our minds like flowers, and offer an enduring playground for our thoughts.

If, like me, you have experienced the joy of reading a good book, you probably also know the power embodied in that little piece of plastic we call a library card.

Unlike most of the cards in your wallet, you can’t draw cash or make a purchase. You won’t get travelers’ rewards or special discounts. And yet, many people have identified their library card as the most valuable card in their wallet.

Your library card gives you access to thousands of books n many more than most of us could purchase (or store) for ourselves! Each book purchased is read many times over, while each reader has a vast array of ideas and stories to interact with. There are new topics and authors around each corner, waiting to open our eyes to new thoughts and worldviews.

Natrona County’s bookmobile has a wonderful quote on the back, saying, “Books are windows to the world.” Although this is still very true, books seem to be receding in importance for some.

A recent article reported that one in four adults didn’t read a single book last year. Of course, such reports don’t take into account other forms of reading, including the plethora of internet reading many of us do regularly both for work and pleasure.

While books remain important to most of our patrons, online sources of information are increasingly in demand.

In response to the shift toward online activities, libraries have expanded their horizons to offer online catalogs, databases, free Internet access and downloadable media. Reference librarians, who are professionals at finding information, now field questions about using e-mail or computer software and assist patrons in finding reliable information on the internet.

NCPL offers computer classes to help bring our patrons up to speed in this digital age, and tutoring has “gone digital” with the library’s new “Live Homework Help” service for students in grades 4-12.

As your library changes to meet the evolving needs of our patrons, that little plastic card in your wallet is now more useful than ever. We hope you will see it as your ticket to lifelong learning n- be that through books, online databases, library programs or the many audio-visual materials you will find available at NCPL.

September is officially known as National Library Card Signup Month. If you do not yet have a library card, please come see us at any of our branches; if you already have a library card, we hope you will remember to use it this month.

If the library or its resources have enriched your life as they have mine, don’t forget to share that joy with a friend or family member who may not yet have that valuable card in their wallet.

The Natrona County Public Library is located at 307 E. Second St. in Casper. The library’s extended hours resumed Sept. 4. We are now open for your convenience, Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1-5 p.m.

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