Connect Transit offering free bus rides to Bloomington-Normal library cardholders

The American Library Association spearheads Library Card Sign-Up Month each September to encourage children to start the school year with their own local library card. (Photo courtesy: Connect Transit/Facebook)

By WMBD-TV

BLOOMINGTON-NORMAL – Connect Transit is teaming up with local libraries to celebrate Library Card Sign-Up Month.

According to a Connect Transit news release, anyone with a Bloomington Public Library and Normal Public Library card can get free bus rides through the month of September.

Last year, Connect Transit provided 19,970 free rides to library cardholders, and the local libraries saw an increase in 270 cardholders compared to the same time last year.

“After last year’s successful partnership, we encourage new and existing library cardholders to use any of Connect Transit’s services to ride free to the Bloomington and Normal public libraries, as well as all of the wonderful services, businesses, and recreational opportunities offered in the City and the Town.” Connect Transit’s General Manager David Braun said.

The American Library Association spearheads Library Card Sign-Up Month each September to encourage children to start the school year with their own local library card.

“We are grateful to Connect Transit for its willingness to again help us spread the word that all residents, regardless of age, are eligible for free library cards. We’re here to help residents get those cards, and we’re here to help navigate the many services the libraries have to offer,” Director of Bloomington Public Library Jeanne Hamilton said.

Normal residents who would like to apply online for a library card can do so here. Bloomington residents who would like to apply online for a library card can do so here.

WMBD-TV can be reached at [email protected].

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…