Sign-up for a library card during Library Sign-up Month

Celebrate Library Card Sign-up Month at the Buckham Memorial Library, where getting a library card is easy and free.

All people need to do when signing up for a library card is a current photo ID. If the photo ID has the wrong address, people can use a utility bill, a checkbook or something that has the correct address on it. The Buckham Memorial Library has three designs to choose from: an owl for kids, Snoopy — which is new this month — or their basic card with the library’s name on the front.

Library cards can be a great edification form for children if they need to prove who they are. While library cards don’t have a picture on them of the person, it still is a way for people to identify them.

Library Director Delane James said the library is the best-kept secret in town.

“People are shocked that they can use a computer. We have hot spots and our State Park passes available here for checkout. They’re surprised about the different equipment and kits they can also check out, along with how rich our online resources are,” said James. “I would love for people to know more about all of those things, especially our online resources, because those are there for them to use, and they’re super convenient, and even if the library isn’t open at two o’clock in the morning, they can still go online and they can use the library.”

James said she encourages people to get a library card to be able to use all of the services the library provides. They have more than just books available for check out. One of them is different types of kits with tools and games for many kinds of activities.

“We have a kit, a recent kit, of a projection kit that it has a projector and a blow up screen. It’s a wifi thing you can use, like, just about any device you could have, like a huge home movie night, you know, either inside or outside. Make it like a big block party if you wanted to,” said James. “We actually have a an engine diagnostic tool where when you get the little light that comes on in your in your car, you can plug this in and see what is it that’s wrong.”

In addition to being able to go into the library and check these items out, they offer online programs for people to use outside of the library’s hours. One of these programs is called Vet Now. This is an online program for veterans who live in Faribault and need help getting back on their feet.

“They can get help with their benefits, help with education, help navigate. They’re live people that they can log in to and talk to. They can get help with a VA loan or medical benefits,” said James. “So it’s a live navigator that only people that have our our Faribault library card, can log in and talk to a person, and that’s in English or Spanish, which is fantastic.”

The library has two 3D printers which print digital designs as 3D objects in a non-toxic plastic called PLA. These come in a variety of colors and printing cots $0.10/gram and is only available for those with a library card at Buckham Memorial Library.

There is also a 3D printing lab available the last Wednesday of each month from 5:30-7 p.m. where people can go and learn about 3D printing, 3D modeling for printing and collaborate with others. This is open to the public and for all age levels and experience levels.

When people go to a library, they don’t always need to check something out. People can sit down at a computer or read a book off the shelf. Public Services Librarian Allyn McColley said libraries are a welcoming place for everybody in the community.

“It doesn’t matter who you are or where you’re from, or how much money you have, you can come into the library and feel welcome and know that you can come in here and we try to get you what you want to get,” said McColley. “Some people just come in and and meet with each other and chat. Some people come in to read the newspapers. They don’t check anything out, but we just feel that it’s a welcoming place. And that’s that’s what I like about the library, it’s for everybody.”

Something James said she is proud of Buckham Memorial Library offers is being sensory certified. Buckham Memorial Library was the first library in Minnesota to become certified with this. The nonprofit KultureCity, trains the library staff members with how to recognize and help people who have other needs. The staff can hand out sensory kits to help make their visit to the library more comfortable.

“We’ve got signage around the library. We have a set aside a place that’s a little more quiet if people need to go and take a little break.we just want to make sure that everybody can feel comfortable, comfortable coming to the library all the time and not be exclusive,” said James. “Something that was popular for libraries to have was a time that was closed to the public, but open for people who had different sensory needs. We never did that because it felt kind of exclusive to us, like that was the only time you can come in. But we’re excited to be a part of this certification through KultureCity.”