Grand Rapids Public Library Card Sign-Up Month Offers Local Deals, More

I'm an unabashed fan of the library. I spent many hours sitting in the library as a kid with my family (even if most of that time was spent on the library computer playing Runescape). I was an avid competitor in every summer reading challenge. As an adult, I fell back in love with reading now that I live within walking distance of the Grand Rapids Public Library (GRPL).

Simply put, the library rocks. But in a post-pandemic world, in-person library visits and physical media have seen a massive fall-off around the country, and that's one of the reasons the GRPL hosts its annual Library Card Sign Up Month, offering exclusive discounts around Grand Rapids if you show proof that you signed up for a library card this month.

Public Library Visits Down Nationwide

According to data from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, library visits are half of what they were a decade ago, with visits near 2.5 billion in 2010. However, the post-2020 world has seen rates closer to 1.25 billion visits per year. Physical media, too, has a 20% decline in U.S. Library collections (162 million fewer books than in 2010).

READ MORE: Your KDL Library Card Gets You Way More Than Just Books

While the library's digital collection is a vital part of its services and one that many people use, neither digital nor physical resources can be accessed without a library card. 

Grand Rapids Public Library Hosts "Library Card Sign-Up Month"

To encourage more library usage, the GRPL hosts an annual Library Card Sign-Up Month. During September, anyone who signs up for a library card will receive a limited-edition card design and keychain (keychains only for in-person sign-ups). You can also get a fun novelty bumper sticker, stickers, books, or enter to win library "swag" and a Schuler Books Gift Card.

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Signing up for a library card is free and allows you to check books out from Kent District Library, the Lakeland Library Cooperative (LakeNet), and through MeLCat.

Local Discounts

While the above rewards are enjoyable, the most significant benefit of signing up for a free library card is the discounts you can receive at local coffee shops and bookstores. You can learn more about the details of the sign-up month here.

These include the following locations:

Coffee Shop Discounts

The Bitter End Coffeehouse
10% off total order

Cafe Otono
15% off one cafe item

Chartreuse Sisters
10% off total order

Ferris Coffee
10% off espresso drinks

Foxtail Coffee – Eastown Wealthy
10% off total order

Giggles & Gourmets Play Cafe & Bakery
10% off Cafe/bakery purchases

Happy Cat Cafe
$1 off any specialty drink and 15 minutes of free cat lounge time on Mon-Thurs with a drink purchase. Offer valid once per day per guest. Free cat time is walk-in only and subject to lounge availability.

[HAS HEART]
10% off your food or beverage order

Kaffeine
15% off coffee and food

Lotus Brew Coffee
$1 off purchase

PaLatte Coffee & Art
10% off coffee or tea purchase

Roots Brew Shop
Free refills on coffee

Scorpion Hearts Club
10% off total order

Squibb Coffee & Wine Bar – Wealthy
10% off coffee and tea beverages

Book Store Discounts

Black Dog Books and Records
15% off purchase

Books and Mortar
10% off purchase

Cellar Bird Books
Buy 2 stickers, get 1 sticker free

Great Matter Books
20% off 1st $50 purchased

Pages & Peonies
10% off total order

Vault of Midnight Grand Rapids
10% off purchase