Libraries could see more traffic this month

Orange County Public Libraries are celebrating Library Card Sign-up Month this September by offering free replacement cards to its patrons.

To honor the month, which has been celebrated nationally since 1987, the group encouraged libraries across the country to offer programs and activities that allow patrons to easily obtain library cards.

The county library’s main branch in Hillsborough, as well as the Carrboro location and the Cybrary, will be giving out replacement cards for free.

The cards usually cost $5.

“If they used to go to a library, but haven’t been in five years because they lost their card, or the dog ate it and they’re embarrassed, they can come in and we’ll give them a brand-new card for no charge,” said Orange County Library Director Lucinda Munger.

Munger said she hopes the offer will bring in more visitors.

The month is sponsored by the American Library Association as a campaign to get people into libraries.

The association promotes the improvement and development of libraries and information services.

Library move

The Chapel Hill Public Library is not offering free replacement cards throughout the month, said Library Director Kathleen Thompson, though she does expect to see more traffic coming through the doors.

The library’s temporary relocation to a space in University Mall could account for an increase in visitors, she said.

She said the library’s University Mall location, picked because of renovation at the permanent location, will draw in a new crowd.

“We will be garnering additional clientele,” she said. “For example, someone who was going to the bookstore at the mall and stops by the library who wouldn’t have otherwise.”

Peter de Leon, general manager of University Mall, said it will be a mutually beneficial relationship, as he expects the library will also bring more visitors to the mall.

“The library has so many unique daily visitors,” de Leon said.

Thompson said the library has not moved into the mall yet because the space is unfinished. She said the tentative deadline for completing the space right now is Nov. 24.

“A lot needs to be done to the space in the mall,” Thompson said.

“It’s raw right now, previously used for storage, so it has an uneven cement floor, wire boxes everywhere, cages, no air conditioning or heating.”

Munger said she still isn’t sure how the Orange County libraries will be affected by the Chapel Hill Library’s renovation.

She said the main branch mostly serves Hillsborough and northern Orange County, so Carrboro would be the only location to possibly see increased traffic.

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