Since 1987, September has been celebrated as Library Card Sign-Up Month, a nationwide initiative led by the American Library Association (ALA) and libraries across the country. This month is dedicated to encouraging parents, caregivers, and students to take the first step toward academic success and lifelong learning by signing up for a library card.
This year, six Central Arkansas library systems are celebrating in a big way. The North Little Rock Public Library System (NLRPLS) is partnering with the Central Arkansas Library System (CALS), Saline County Library, Faulkner County Library, Pine Bluff Jefferson County Library System, and Garland County Library to launch The Power of the Card.
This regional campaign offers special deals and discounts for library cardholders at participating businesses throughout Central Arkansas. It is a win-win for businesses and customers alike. With thousands of cardholders between the six systems, participating businesses get a valuable opportunity to gain new customers, increase visibility, and show support for their local library.
It all started for NLRPLS in 2022 with Check Out North Little Rock, a campaign offering discounts at local businesses to library cardholders. In 2023 and 2024, the program expanded to include CALS under the name Bookworm Bargains. In 2025, the campaign continues to grow under the name The Power of the Card, a name originally developed by Saline County Library. Their campaign earned national recognition and won the John Cotton Dana Award, the most prestigious library PR award, in 2018.
Businesses in the North Little Rock Public Library System and Central Arkansas Library System service areas can sign up here. The deadline to sign up is August 8. Businesses outside the NLRPLS or CALS service areas should contact their local participating library system to learn how to get involved.
For questions about participating, contact Kevin Newsom at knewsom@nlrlibrary.org or LaReina Fuentes at lfuentes@cals.org.
