Hope Branch Library: A Journey of Discovery Awaits!

When was the last time you visited the Hope Library? Did you know that getting a library card is free? That’s right, free! Just come into the library with a photo ID, passport, or driver’s license and present it at the front desk. You will be asked to fill out an application if you are not in our system or we will update your information as needed. Is your card lost or too difficult to read?

We can issue you a new card. We can even show you how to put your card on your phone! Plus, we have a 125-year library celebration card design. We also have a nice library logo “everything” card. These cards allow you to check out any of the physical or digital items we have available at the Hope Library or the Main library in Columbus.

Are you staying in due to the cold weather right now? No problem! You can apply for a digital only card on your computer, phone, or tablet, and receive a number to check items out on Libby or Hoopla. These are both great platforms to use not only for electronic and audio books but also movies, and music for, you guessed it, free! The library has some great digital resources available at no cost to you such as Mango Languages, Gale Courses, and Newspapers.org to name a few.

Once you have a library card of your choice, why not put it to use and sign up for our Adult Winter Reading Challenge that is happening now through February 28. If you finish any four of the 12 challenges, there is a fabulous completion prize, and you will be entered in the grand prize drawing. At the Hope Library we have a complete display of items “bookmarked” with each challenge. What’s more, this is a terrific way to discover a new author or genre you might not have read. Some of my favorite category challenges are: “Big Jim and the White Boy” by David F. Walker and Marcus Kwame Anderson. This is a wonderful retelling of the classic novel, “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” by Mark Twain. The story follows Jim and Hucks’ friendship through the Civil War era and into the 1930’s, and 1980’s. Are you looking for a book set on a road trip or voyage? Then get on board for a trip to “The Hotel Nantucket” by Elin Hilderbrand. This author is known as “the queen of beach reads” so what better way to warm up and be transported to the scandals at this beach hotel. A cocktail with an umbrella is optional for this read!

These are just a few of the tasks for the Adult Winter Reading Challenge. If you would like more ideas, please visit the Hope library where any of us would be more than happy to help you or go to mybcpl.org/awrc for a list of reading selections. Remember, it is never too late to visit the Hope library to get a new library card or renew your existing one, I don’t know about you, but something FREE is something for everyone!