September is Library Card sign up month

If you have a library card, you're already aware of benefits you can access, like being able to check out books, DVDs and CDs. You might even be aware of some of the electronic resources available to card holders. But if you haven't accessed it recently you may be missing out on some of the things you can do with your library card.

Tehachapi Library Associate Teresa Skousen says that your " library card to the Kern County library opens so much more than the cover of a book, it opens up a multitude of digital resources for learning, entertainment, hobbies and education."

You can access the online resources 24/7 so you can check out videos (movies and TV shows), audio books and eBooks anytime. There are a total of six different platforms/apps you can use to access these resources.

What if you are interested in a more tangible book? Well, you can reserve items and get them delivered to our local Tehachapi Branch Library from other libraries in the Kern County Library system or from one of the libraries in the San Joaquin Valley Library System (which includes Fresno, Madera and other counties).

The Friends of the Tehachapi Library recently did a "deep dive" into the many resources on the Kern County website.

"There are over 70 online resources, more than 30 of which offer authoritative content for the youngest learners through college and adult. You can learn one of 87 languages, watch a 3D interactive science experiment, enjoy theater and dance performances, fix your car, research a scholarship, learn about history, improve digital literacy, take a course, get tutoring, study to become a U.S. citizen, access legal forms and read a newspaper, to name a few, all from the Kern County Library website," said Friends of the Library member, Catherine Sjostedt.

You may be asking, what if I don't have a library card? Well, it's easy to sign up. And it's free. The only restriction is that you have to be a California resident. (Note: this is true for other library systems, as well, so if our library doesn't have an online resource you want, you can sign up for a card in another county.) And right now when you get your physical card, you can choose from 20 different unique library card designs. If you're ready to get started, visit http://www.kerncountylibrary.org, or if you'd rather, the helpful associates at the library will love to get you signed up in person. You'll need to come in and get a physical card to access physical materials, but you can check out materials the same day!

The Tehachapi Library (661-822-4938), is located downtown at 212 S. Green St. (across from The Hitching Post Theater). The Library has new hours: Tuesday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.