In addition to being back-to-school time, September is also Library Card Sign-up Month. Observed since 1987, this is the time of year when the American Library Association and libraries across the country remind parents that a library card is "the smartest card," not to mention the most important school supply of all!

Here are just a few ways for students to use the smartest card at Southern Pines Public Library:

Learn a language: Check out Mango Languages, the online learning system that currently offers 12 language courses -- including Spanish, Brazilian, Portuguese, Japanese, French, German, Italian, Greek, Russian, Mandarin Chinese, and ESL for Spanish speakers. There is also a helpful translation tool for written text.

Brush up on map skills: The library now has access to Rand McNally Classroom, an educational website to help improve geography and map skills with games and activities, teaching resources, and geographic reference information.

Tumble into reading: Available via the library Web site, Tumblebooks combines the tradition of a good storyline with animation, sound, music, and narration in different formats: story books, online audio books, interactive games, puzzles, and quizzes. Age-appropriate selections range from easy readers to chapter books, young adult selections, and non-fiction titles.

Get homework help: In addition to print and online resources, the library offers the original "search engine" -- the reference staff! Cardholders can even get real-time reference help when the library is closed through NCKnows.

In addition to these benefits, adults and children who sign up for new cards or renew expired cards during September will be entered into prize drawings for gift certificates to The Country Bookshop. Valid card holders who check out 10 or more items may register for the drawings as well.

With free programs, prizes and a wealth of resources, there's no doubt that having "the smartest card" from Southern Pines Public Library brings a world of opportunity-- no matter how old the cardholder may be!

For more information about Library Card Sign-Up Month or upcoming Library programs, visit www.sppl.net or call 692-8235.