Mandel Public Library Spotlights National Library Card Sign-Up Month

Published on August 24, 2026

   

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Media Contacts:

Kathleen Joy, Director of Communications
City of West Palm Beach – Mayor’s Office
Phone: (561) 822-1411 (TTY: 800-955-8771)
Email: kjoy@wpb.org

Alyson Seligman
Alyson@thesbsagency.com
(561) 602-8558

Newly redesigned library card debuts in September as library highlights free educational support, technology, digital resources, programs and more

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (August 24, 2026) – This September, Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach is participating in National Library Card Sign-Up Month to spotlight one of the community’s most valuable – and often underutilized – free resources: a library card.

The library will debut its newly redesigned card while highlighting the wide range of resources available to cardholders. Throughout the month, new and current card holders can also take part in special giveaways and opportunities to win library swag.

Far beyond access to tens of thousands of books, card holders can receive free homework help from certified teachers, stream e-books, audiobooks and music, access computers and technology, reserve quiet study spaces, participate in book clubs and programs, explore the latest tools in the Technology and Innovation Center, and take part in an extensive calendar of free experiences for all ages.

“A library card is really about access and opportunity,” said Lisa Hathaway, Library Director of Mandel Public Library. “Whether you need help finding reliable information, a quiet place to work, support for your child, access to technology or simply something new to read, learn or experience, we’re here. And many of these resources are available wherever you are, without ever stepping inside the library.”

At the library’s downtown location at 411 Clematis Street,, library card holders can receive afternoon homework help with certified teachers for students in grades K–12, access free Wi-Fi and computers, laptops available for use throughout the library, notary services, career and business resources, storytimes and early learning programs, adult book clubs and lectures, as well as diverse programs and instruction including yoga, meditation, Tai Chi, ballet, hip hop, Soul Line Dancing, mahjong, and ukulele.

The library’s Technology and Innovation Center (TIC) on the second floor provides card holders with unique opportunities to create and explore with the latest technology and tools for digital projects, podcasting, music creation, 3-D printing, and more.

And library cards continue working even when the library is closed. Card holders can access free e-books, digital audiobooks, music and other online resources, including Hoopla, from home or on the go.

This year’s National Library Card Sign-Up Month theme, “A Library Card Hits All the Right Notes,” also puts a spotlight on the library’s music-related resources. Card holders can stream music, borrow a ukulele through the Library of Things, participate in ukulele classes or use TIC resources to experiment with beats and podcasts. Younger visitors can explore music with a karaoke machine available through the Kids Library of Things.

A New Look for September

Throughout September, visitors will see the library’s newly redesigned card and can participate in Library Card Sign-Up Month by signing up for their first library card, replacing an older card with the new design or referring a friend or family member to become a card holder.

Participants will have the opportunity to enter a drawing for a Library Card Sign-Up Month tote bag filled with library swag, and visitors may also get the chance to spin the library’s Wheel of Prizes for additional giveaways.

Library Card Sign-Up Month is an annual initiative of the American Library Association that highlights the value of libraries and encourages people of all ages to sign up for a library card.

For information about library card eligibility, required identification, online registration and all things Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach, visit wpbcitylibrary.org or call (561) 868-7701 (TTY 800 955-8771).

About the Mandel Public Library

The Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach is committed to inspiring curiosity, strengthening community, and enriching lives through free access to learning, creativity, culture, and connection. Located in the heart of downtown West Palm Beach on Clematis Street, the Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach features four floors of resources, as well as a robust schedule of free classes and programs, entertainment, a technology and innovation center, kids space, and more. The library serves as a dynamic hub for exploration, community engagement, and improving the quality of life for all who visit.

About The City of West Palm Beach

The City of West Palm Beach is a vibrant and dynamic city on Florida's Atlantic coast. With a rich history, a thriving arts and cultural scene, and a commitment to sustainability, the City of West Palm Beach is a great place to live, work, and play. As one of the three largest cities making up the South Florida region and the central city of Palm Beach County, West Palm Beach is a vibrant, growing waterfront city that seamlessly blends the business advantages available in the area with a more refined and relaxed environment for living and working, making it an exceptional destination for both residents and professionals alike. To learn more about the City of West Palm Beach, visit our official website or follow us on our social media: Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter), and LinkedIn.

To contact the City of West Palm Beach, please dial (561) 822-1200 (TTY 800 955-8771). For information about the City of West Palm Beach, please visit: https://www.wpb.org/home