Back To School Supplies Should Include A County Library Card!

September is "Library Card Sign-up Month" and the Whitman County Library wants to make sure all children heading back to school have the smartest card of all, a library card. (Whitman County refers to all 14 branches in the library system: Colfax, Colton, Albion, Uniontown, Palouse, Garfield, Oakesdale, Tekoa, Malden, Rosalia, St. John, Lacrosse, Endicott, and Farmington. Neil Public Library in Pullman is not included in the WCL system.)

Not all schools require kids to have a library card, but for anyone in Whitman County getting a library card at any branch location is easy. Individuals need only provide proof of Whitman County residency and within a few minutes, the smartest card around is yours to use that very same day. Non-residents require a small yearly fee to obtain a WCL card. Obtain a library card and check out materials in most cases within 15-minutes during one visit.

Studies show that children who read, or are read to, perform better in school. Kids who use the library are more likely to continue to use the library as adults for a source of lifetime learning and entertainment.

The Whitman County Library offers more than books. Kids can come to the library for fun and educational programs, get homework help, play games, check out music, videos and DVDs and use the Internet to help make after school life enjoyable. Youth Services Manager, Sheri Miller says, www.whitco.lib.wa.us.

"There’s a lot happening at the Whitman County Library, and the best part for both kids and parents is that it’s all free with a library card.

"The Colfax Branch has more staff and offers more hours available to provide this service, but if there is a patron wanting homework help at any branch, we would work at trying to provide that assistance."

As an additional bonus for signing up in September, all new cardholders will be entered into a drawing for a $25 gift certificate at a local business of their choice. This promotion is sponsored by the Friends of Whitman County Library.

Observed since 1987, Library Card Sign-up Month is a time when the American Library Association and libraries across the country remind parents that a library card is the most important school supply of all.

For more information, visit any branch of the Whitman County Library, call toll-free 1-877-733-3375 or visit the library online at