CLEARWATER - September is Library Card Sign-up Month, and the Clearwater Public Library System wants to make sure your child is among the two-thirds of Americans that carry the smartest card of all - a library card.
Studies show that children who are read to in the home and who use the library perform better in school and are more likely to continue to use the library as a source of lifetime learning.
"A library card has always been the most important school supply of all," said Clearwater Library Director Barbara Pickell. "Kids can come to the library to get homework help and check out books, but they can also check out free music, DVDs, and use the Internet to make after-school life a little more fun. There's a lot happening at your Clearwater library."
A recent study by the American Library Association also showed that families use libraries to spend time together. Forty-four percent of survey respondents report taking their children to the library for this reason.
To sign up for a library card, stop by your Clearwater library: Main, 100 N. Osecola Ave.; Countryside, 2741 SR 580; East, 2251 Drew St.; North Greenwood, 905 N. MLK Jr., Ave.; and Beach, 483 Mandalay Ave., or visit http://clearwater.com/cpl/general/cplcard.asp