By Dan Miller, Today's Family

A library card may be small enough to fit in a wallet, but it can open the door to a much larger world for children, parents, teachers and lifelong learners.

Today’s libraries are much more than quiet places filled with books. They are community centers, technology hubs, homework helpers, entertainment sources and places where families can explore new interests without adding another subscription to the monthly budget.

Of course, books are still at the heart of every library. A child who discovers the right book at the right time can become a reader for life. Picture books, chapter books, graphic novels, nonfiction, audiobooks and eBooks give children choices, and choice is one of the best ways to build excitement around reading. For parents, regular library visits can create a simple family routine: browse, read, return and discover something new.

But the modern library reaches far beyond the bookshelf.

Many libraries offer digital collections that can be accessed from home, including eBooks, audiobooks, music, movies, television, magazines and research databases. A library card can also help families use public computers, reserve meeting rooms, attend programs, borrow technology and connect with resources they may not even realize are available.

That is why signing up for a library card is such a smart first step.

At Mentor Public Library, patrons can apply for a card at the circulation desk with identification showing their current address. Library cards in good standing can be used to check out materials, use public computers and reserve meeting rooms. Mentor Public Library also offers several card options designed for specific needs.

Adults age 60 and older receive a one-week extension period on materials owned by Mentor Public Library. Veterans may also receive a one-week grace period on materials owned by the library with proper military or veteran identification. Educators and institutions can apply for special cards that allow them to borrow up to 250 items, with extended checkout periods on many print materials. Mentor residents who are temporarily or permanently homebound may qualify for Words on Wheels, a free delivery service that brings materials to individual residences or group homes.

Mentor Public Library also offers an Opportunity Card for children and adults who may not have been able to obtain a standard card because they lacked photo identification, proof of residency or a parent/guardian signature. For Ohio residents age 18 and older who want online access only, Mentor offers an eCard for digital resources.

Willoughby-Eastlake Public Library also makes it easy and free for Ohio residents to get a library card. A full-service card, available through in-person application, allows patrons to borrow physical materials such as books, music, movies, Chromebooks, hotspots, video games and Launchpads, while also accessing the library’s digital collection.

Willoughby-Eastlake also offers an eCard that can be obtained online for digital access only. With either a full-service card or eCard, patrons can use digital resources such as Libby, hoopla, kanopy and online databases.

For families, a library card is more than a way to borrow books. It is a pass to stories, learning, technology, entertainment, creativity and connection. Best of all, it is free.

If your child does not have a library card yet, this is a perfect time to sign up. One small card may become the beginning of countless discoveries.