Black and green text on tan and hot pink background. On left is a speech bubble with "National Library Card Signup Month" written in cursive and block text. On right is black text that reads, "Get your local library card in the Sunshine Lobby." Below is a stack of books with arrows pointing to green circles with black text that read, "9/18, 11:30-1:30, 9/24, 11:30-1:30, 9/26, 1:00-3:00" and "Plus, write a letter to your public library!" Below the images is black text that reads, "Or you can do it all online:" with a QR code that goes to ken.sc/library-cards.

September is National Library Card Signup Month! During the month, public libraries across the U.S. mark the beginning of the school year with a campaign to ensure everyone has a library card and can take full advantage of the many resources and services public libraries have to offer.

National Library Card Signup Month began in 1987 when Secretary of Education William Bennett stated: "Let's have a campaign...Every child should obtain a library card and use it." In response, the American Library Association (ALA) and National Commission on Libraries and Information Science (NCLIS) launched the effort under the theme "The Best Gift You'll Ever Gift Your Child."

Public libraries aren't just for kids, though -- they're for everyone, including HKS and Harvard community members. This year, the HKS Library is encouraging you to sign up for a local public library card in Cambridge, Somerville, or Boston. We also invite you to show support for your favorite public library (anywhere in the world!) by writing them a postcard.

Through the end of September 2024, we encourage you to:

  • Sign up for a local library card: As a Massachusetts resident (even a temporary one!), you can sign up for library cards at the Boston, Cambridge, and Somerville public libraries. A card will get you free access to books, audiobooks, e-books, databases, and more.
  • Write a letter to your public library: Send a personalized note to a public library anywhere in the world. The HKS Library will pay for postage!

Sign Up for a Local Library Card

As a Massachusetts resident (even a temporary one!), you can sign up for library cards at the Boston, Cambridge, and Somerville public libraries. A card will get you free access to books, audiobooks, e-books, databases, and more.

Physical Library Cards: Sign up at HKS on 9/18, 9/24, and 9/26

We're so excited to welcome librarians from the Boston Public Library, Cambridge Public Library, and Somerville Public Library to HKS! Join us at one of the following events to get your official library card.

Any Massachusetts resident can get a library card - you don't have to be a resident of any particular city. Cambridge and Somerville are part of the same public library consortium, so getting a library card from one will allow you to borrow from the other. Bring a photo ID and proof of Massachusetts residency, like a piece of official mail. (A driver's license is not sufficient to show residency.)

eCards: Sign up anytime online

An eCard is a library card you can sign up for online. Your eCard will get you free access to audiobooks, e-books, and databases that you can keep using even after you graduate from or leave Harvard. You don't need an ID to sign up!

Write a Letter to Your Public Library

Write a letter to your favorite public library - whether in the U.S. or elsewhere - in one of three ways:

  1. Submit this online form.
    • An HKS librarian will print your letter and mail it to the public library of your choice.
  2. Fill out a postcard in the HKS Library.
  3. Write a letter on your own.
    • Find a postcard PDF below or write your letter on whatever paper you like.
    • Whenever you're ready, bring your letter to the HKS Library's dropbox. We'll have envelopes!
    • Don't know your public library's address? Either find it on this map of U.S. public libraries, or just write the name of your municipality of choice somewhere on your letter and an HKS librarian will fill out the correct address.