Hometown Heroes celebrate libraries during Library Card Sign-Up Month
Gail Borden Public Library in Elgin is putting a new twist on its annual Library Card Sign-Up initiative by honoring Hometown Heroes who work on the front lines during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 17 local Hometown Heroes represent the brave and hardworking frontline workers from many different professions such as nurses, firefighters and city workers whose work is valuable to the community.
They will be put in the spotlight throughout September via the Library's social media channels as well as featured in windows of local businesses as part of a scavenger hunt.
Wendy Wessel, owner of Herb's Bakery in Elgin, welcomed the chance to display a Hometown Hero in the bakery's window.
"We are happy to partner with the Gail Borden Public Library to increase library cardholders and support literacy in our library district," Wessel said. "We are proud to display a Hometown Hero on our door and we join the library in recognizing the importance of essential workers to our community."
The Hometown Heroes Scavenger Hunt will give residents a chance to spot a Secret Superhero Word with an image of a Hometown Hero posted outside businesses.
Those who find 10 Secret Superhero Words can visit any library location to receive a small prize.
Those who find all of the Secret Superhero Words can submit their finished entry form at any library location or online for a chance to win an iPad. The winner must have a Gail Borden Public Library card.
Each year, Libraries across the country offer Library Card Sign-up Month incentives during September to encourage residents to get a library card and use it. Some local businesses will offer a discount when a visitor shows their library card.
The Hometown Heroes Scavenger Hunt and library card discounts will take place from Sept. 1 to 30.
For information about businesses offering discounts and Hometown Heroes Scavenger Hunt maps, visit gailborden.info/deals.
For information on how to get a library card, go to gailborden.info/get-card.