Library Card Holders and Registered Voters Make Good Citizens!
August 25, 2016 — September is the nationwide Library Card Sign-up Month, and Wednesday, Oct. 12, is the deadline to register to vote in the November general election.
You can do both things at any Springfield-Greene County Library and the bookmobile, the Mobile Library. A librarian at the checkout desk will be happy to help.
Why sign up for a library card?
• It’s your child’s most valuable school supply! A library card gives free access to online homework help at thelibrary.org/kids and thelibrary.org/teens.
• You get access to online research databases, the Mango language learning site, Lynda.com professional lecture, e-books and online movies, music, audiobooks, magazines and comic books.
• It gives you access to check out not only the Library’s collection, but borrowing privileges with some 9,000 libraries across the country.
How to sign up for a library card
Your library card gives you access to all the resources and services of the Springfield-Greene County Libraries. In addition to borrowing books, CDs, DVDs, and genealogical research materials, your card lets you use a library computer, download digital media including movies, music, audiobooks, comic books and magazines, and search the electronic research services.
Library cards are issued free of charge to residents of Greene County, persons who pay property tax in Greene County, or students residing in university housing. You can download a registration form and bring it to the checkout desk of any Library branch.
• Applicants must provide name and date of birth and present a valid form of identification and proof of current address
• Non-residents who pay Greene County property tax should also present a Greene County property tax receipt or lease or rental agreement for property in Greene County.
• Persons who pay property tax in Greene County, but do not live in Greene County, must provide a Greene County property tax receipt, lease agreement for a business, or mortgage summary detailing tax payment.
• Teens and children 17 years old and younger unaccompanied by a parent may register for a library card if they can complete a registration form with their name, address, phone number, birthday and parents' names. The child will be able to check out five items at a time until the responsibility statement on the back of the card is signed by a parent or legal guardian.
• Missouri residents living outside of Greene County may pay an annual fee of $65 per household to obtain a Library card with the same checkout privileges, computer access and services that county residents enjoy.
• Businesses may obtain a library card with one individual responsible for the card and all materials checked out on the card. Businesses within Greene County may obtain this card free of charge. Businesses outside of Greene County may purchase a Library card for a $65 annual fee.
How to register to vote
Oct. 12 is the last day a person can register to vote in the Nov. 8 general election, which will include presidential, U.S. Senate and House races, Missouri governor and other statewide, county and local races.
Look for the Voters Guides available soon on the National League of Women
Voters’ website, Vote411.org.
You can register to vote in Greene County at any branch of the Springfield-Greene County Library or the bookmobile. You can also fill out a change-of-address card.
To be eligible to register, a person must: Be a citizen of the United States; be at least 18 years old by the date of the election; be a resident of Greene County; present valid identification. See the Missouri Secretary of State website for a list of acceptable ID; not be encumbered by a felony conviction, or adjudged to be incapacitated.
To avoid delays on Election Day, registered voters who have moved within Greene County should change their voter registration by notifying the Greene County Clerk.
Such notification may be given by:
• Filling out the back of the voter registration card and returning it to the County Clerk's office;
• Sending a signed letter listing old and new address;
• Completing a "Missouri Voter Registration Application" postcard (available at the Library).
All applications for change of address must bear the signature of the voter.