As of August 31, we have 8,874 Grafton cardholders (patrons with a library card barcode starting with 27445) and 9,612 Grafton residents with a library card (patrons who may have gotten the card in Worcester, Millbury or another CW MARS Library, but have a Grafton zip code). This averages to almost one card per household; 48% of our residents have a Library card!
If you are in the 52% without a card, September is the best time to come and get a card! Visit our website for more information. You can:
Apply for an ecard only to get digital content through OverDrive/Libby;
Apply online in advance, and come in to pick up the card and show your proof of identity/residency,
Apply in person and come in during operating hours–Mon-Thu 10am-9pm or Fri/Sat 10am-6pm.
REMINDER: Please don’t share your card with family or friends! Every library user should have their own individual card.
Cards are FREE to Grafton residents, students and property owners, and to any MA resident. Replacement cards cost $1, but we waive that fee annually for the month of September. If you have LOST or misplaced your Library card, September is the BEST time to replace the card, because the replacement cost is WAIVED every September.
The Grafton Public Library continues to be FINE FREE for the duration of the Pandemic. If you have FINES or BLOCKS on your library card due to overdue or lost items at other libraries, we are happy to help connect you to the owning library to pay off balances.
For LOST or MISSING items, we ask you to speak with our selectors directly. We will often allow an exact copy (based on ISBN) replacement procured by the patron at a lower cost than list price. We also allow a one-time “work off the fees” program for youth ages 14-18, allowing them to volunteer at a rate of $10 per hour to pay off fees.
Every two years, your card must be updated so we can confirm we have current contact information for you. September is a great time to update your card!
Every four years, cards that have not been used are deleted from our database if the account has no items checked out and no accrued fines or fees. If we haven’t seen you in awhile, stop by to check your account status.
This Year, Find Your Voice @ the Library!
For 2022, Tony Award-winning performer, actress, singer-songwriter, and philanthropist Idina Menzel and her sister author and educator Cara Mentzel will serve as honorary chairs of Library Card Sign-Up Month 2022.
As honorary chairs, Idina and Cara will remind everyone that one of the best places to find your voice is at the library. And during Library Card Sign-Up Month, they want you to explore all the library has to offer, like new children’s books, access to technology, and educational programming.
“It’s a little card that goes a loud way. Let your imagination sing at the library.” — Idina Menzel
“The library is where your imagination sings. Get your library card and ‘check it out’ today.” — Cara Mentzel
Ways to Celebrate
1. Visit The Grafton Public Library
Visit the Library to see what’s new and take part in the celebration! Libraries across the country are participating. Do you have friends who don’t have a library card? Invite them to sign up during September.
2. #GetLibraryCarded
It’s the most powerful tool in your wallet – show it off! Share a photo of yourself with your library card for the chance to win $100!
Post to Instagram or Twitter using the hashtag #GetLibraryCarded. Entries can also be submitted by posting as a comment or wall post on the I Love Libraries Facebook page. Be sure not to reveal any personal information on your library card and don’t forget to tag your library! The creator of one randomly-selected post will receive a $100 Visa gift and a poster of choice from ALA Graphics. Three second-place winners will receive their poster of choice from ALA Graphics.
The #GetLibraryCarded promotion begins Thursday, September 1, at 12 noon CT and ends Friday, September 23, at 12 noon CT. All library lovers and librarians are encouraged to participate. The promotion is open to residents of the United States, Washington, D.C., and U.S. Territories. Employees of the American Library Association are not eligible to participate.
Please see the Official Rules for details, and don’t forget to tag the library! @Grafton Public Library on Facebook, @graftonpubliclibrary on Instagram, or @GraftonPubLib on Twitter.
3. Help Spread the Word
Follow I Love Libraries on Facebook and Twitter and the hashtag #LibraryCardSignUpMonth to join the celebration on social media.
Post Library Card Sign-up Month digital graphics on your website or social media accounts.
The Arrival of Our Piano is Imminent!
The Capital Campaign has acquired a 1921 refurbished “O” series Steinway baby grand piano, to be delivered September 6. Originally a player piano, a modern player system was installed when it was restored by Geoffrey Searles of Apollo Piano of Grafton, Massachusetts. When plans were made for the renovation and expansion of the library, the Community Room space was designed around the concept of including of having a baby grand piano which was purchased for the Library by the Capital Campaign. We are very excited to add this to our offerings of program and services, and the Policy Subcommittee is working on a piano use policy.
Musical Programs in September
In celebration of National Library Card Sign Up Month, and to help you Find Your Voice, we invite you to participate in several musical offerings this month, including two that feature our player piano:
Wednesday September 14 1:00 p.m. Name That Tune (adults)
Wednesday September 14 6:30 p.m. GUM Jam (teens & adults)
Friday September 23, 6:30 p.m. Sing Along Movie Night (ages 13+)
Wednesday September 28 1:00 p.m. Piano Karaoke (all ages)
