14 Ways Having A Library Card will Blow your Mind this Month
By HEIDI PRUITT
The Kokomo Post Staff
The Kokomo-Howard County Public Library is partnering with more than a dozen local businesses throughout the month of September to provide various incentives for new (and current) library card holders to celebrate National Library Card Sign-Up Month.
The idea behind this program began when Kayla Skiles, head of the circulation department at the KHCPL, wanted to do something special for the nationally recognized holiday during the month of September. Both Lisa Fipps, KHCPL’s director of marketing, and Skiles had a common goal of getting out into the community to spread the word about what the library has to offer.
“We had to pause the program because of COVID, but this year, we are back and bigger than ever,” said Fipps. “This is the most we’ve been able to offer the community and we are really excited about it.”
Businesses around Kokomo including Heritage Lanes, J.Edwards, Jack’s Donuts, Oscar’s Pizza, and so many others are offering deals on select days for people who sign up or show their current library card.
Skiles credits the support from local businesses as a key role in this program.
“It benefits the partners, and it benefits us,” she said. “We get to promote each other, and we think it’s amazing.”
“We have so many resources that people don’t know about. We have the mental health clinic now, the legal aid clinic, coming to the library for not just the books, games, and programs, but just being here and having a hard time with something, we can connect you with a resource in the community that can help you,” Skiles continued.
The KHCPL offers a multitude of programs, classes to learn various hobbies or skills, and even tools for projects. Experience Kits, a newer offering at the library, give you the chance to borrow items including yard games and other activities, just like you can with a book.
Another service the library offers is free book delivery, where you can pick out your books online, and have them delivered straight to your door.
Skiles hopes spreading awareness of the library’s resources continues to bond Kokomo’s community on a deeper level.
“There’s just so much that connects everyone together, and the library is the main source that can make those connections for people,” she said.
Incentives throughout the month include:
Friday, Sept. 2 - National Food Bank Day - Any KHCPL Location or Bookmobile
For each nonperishable food item you drop off, the library will deduct $1 in overdue fines you owe. Applies to overdue fines only.Saturday, Sept. 3 - U.S. Bowling League Day - Heritage Lanes from 1 to 4 p.m.
Show your library card to receive $2 off of a game of bowlingWednesday, Sept. 7 - National Beer Lover's Day - Cook McDoogal’s Irish Pub from 4 to 6 p.m.
Get $4 craft beers every Wednesday, plus show your library card for KHCPL freebies.Tuesday, Sept. 13 - International Chocolate Day - J. Edwards Fine Chocolates & Gourmet Cakes from noon to 5 p.m. Show your library card to receive a free milk chocolate cream.
Wednesday, Sept. 14 - National Cream Filled Donut Day - Jack’s Donuts from 7:30 to 11 a.m. Sign up for a library card to receive a free cream filled donut. Current cardholders will get 10 percent off.
Saturday, Sept. 17- National Gymnastics Day - Kokomo Flipsters from 10 a.m. to noon
Show your library card for KHCPL freebies.Tuesday, Sept. 20 - National Pepperoni Pizza Day - Oscar’s Pizza from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Pay $2.50 per slice every Tuesday, plus show your library card for KHCPL freebies.Wednesday, Sept. 21 - Adopt a Less-Adoptable Pet Week - Kokomo Humane Society, Cat Cafe from noon-5 p.m.
Show your library card to receive a special incentive upon adoption.Thursday, Sept. 22 - National Ice Cream Cone Day - Cone Palace from 3 to 5 p.m.
Show your library card and receive one free small ice cream cone.Friday, Sept. 23 - National Comic Book Day - Comics Cubed from noon to 5 p.m.
Show your library card and receive a free comic book.Saturday, Sept. 24 - Family Health and Fitness Day - YMCA from 9 a.m. to noon
The first 50 people to show their library card or sign up for one, get a free day pass for this day. You must show your library card between 9 a.m. and noon.Monday, Sept. 26 - National Pancake Day - Choo Choo McGoos from 7 to 11 a.m.
Show your library card for kids to eat free and/or 20 percent off pancakes.Thursday, Sept. 29 - National Coffee Day - Whyte Horse Winery from 8 a.m. to noon
Show your library card for KHCPL freebies.Any Day in September - National Library Card Sign-Up Month - Any KHCPL Location
Sign up for a library card and receive KHCPL freebies.
From programs to events, activities, books, and so much more - you’re guaranteed to find something that you’ll love at the Kokomo Howard County Public Library!