Checking out a book is just one of the things St. Charles Parish residents can do with a library card.
They can also borrow a hotspot, stream movies and music, read magazines online, visit a state park or even get free admission to participating museums around the state.
This September, the St. Charles Parish Library is turning those resources into a game with a Library Card Sign-Up Month BINGO challenge designed to introduce residents to some of the services they may not realize are available to them.
Just one week into the month-long challenge, 97 people had signed up and 29 had already completed a BINGO, according to Lauren Campo Pitz with the St. Charles Parish Library.
“Sometimes you just don’t know what you don’t know, so we hope that the people participating in the BINGO challenge learn about something that they didn’t know they could do with their library card,” Pitz said. “It’ll be a bonus if they then tell their family and friends about it!”
Participants can sign up for the challenge through the Beanstack app or online at myscpl.beanstack.com. Those who prefer a paper version can pick up a BINGO card at any library location or print one from the library’s website.
To earn a BINGO, participants must complete three activities in a row vertically, horizontally or diagonally. Anyone who earns a BINGO will be entered into a drawing for a library prize pack. Participants who complete every activity on the card will be entered into an additional prize drawing. Participants must have a library card to be eligible to win.
The activities encourage residents to use their library cards and explore different library resources and services.
Library Card Sign-Up Month has been celebrated each September since 1987 as an initiative of the American Library Association. St. Charles Parish Library has marked the occasion in different ways over the years, including a Refer-A-Friend program in 2024 and a “Why I Love My Library” campaign in 2025.
This year, library staff decided to turn to Beanstack, the reading-tracking software already used for the library’s Summer Reading Program.
“We thought that this would be something that people could do whether they do it all themselves through the Beanstack app, online at myscpl.beanstack.com, or fill out a physical BINGO card and turn it in,” Pitz said.
Some of the activities introduce participants to resources that extend well beyond traditional library books, including Geaux Explore Backpacks, Litter Clean Up Kits and Hoopla BingePasses.
“I think just about everyone knows that you can check out books from the library with their library card, but do they also know that you can read magazines online through Flipster and Hoopla BingePass wherever they are as long as there is an Internet connection?” Pitz said. “And if they need an Internet connection, did they know they can borrow a hotspot from the library too?”
Cardholders can access free e-books and audiobooks through Libby and Hoopla, while Hoopla also offers movies, television shows, music and comics.
Among the library’s newest offerings are museum and state park passes available through Checkout Louisiana, a partnership with the State Library of Louisiana.
Through the Museums Pass program, cardholders can check out passes to participating museums around the state. More than 20 museums participate, including the National WWII Museum and New Orleans Museum of Art. Passes generally provide admission for two adults and two children.
The State Parks Pass program allows cardholders to check out a pass providing free admission for one vehicle and its passengers to participating Louisiana state parks and historical sites.
Pitz said the library also hopes the challenge shows residents how using library resources can help them save money.
Library programs and events are free as well, and residents do not need a library card to attend them.
“They are a great place to socialize and maybe even pick up a new skill or hobby,” Pitz said.
Anyone who lives, works, owns property or attends school in St. Charles Parish is eligible for a free library card. Applications can be completed at any library location or when library staff are at community events.
“There is nothing for you to lose when you sign up for a St. Charles Parish Library card,” Pitz said. “Instead, you will gain so much!”