It seems like almost every store has a loyalty program. There are some good ones out there. I am a fan of the Ulta and Sephora loyalty programs. Fannie Schmoe’s Bakery has offered a punch card that rewards customers after so many visits. However, the issue with many loyalty programs is that they track your purchases. Author Cory Doctorow has called this “putting a premium on privacy.” In other words, discounts are only offered when you agree to disclose some of your personal information.

I would like to make the case for your public library being the best loyalty program around. At Eisenhower, you have access to thousands of books, movies, and albums. You can attend programs on a wide range of topics. You can learn how to use the technology that is in everyone’s life now. You have access to tech support. You have a staff of professionals who are ready to help you find information on just about anything, and who can also assist you in navigating the information that is available on the web. Best of all, we are ethically and legally bound to protect your privacy.

September is Library Card Sign Up Month and we’re adding even more value to your library card. For the second year in a row, we have partnered with area businesses to provide discounts to residents of Norridge and Harwood Heights who show their Eisenhower card when they shop. You can find a list of participating businesses by picking up a handout at the library.

If you live in Norridge or Harwood Heights and don’t have a library card yet, stop in to discover all of the ways in which you can benefit from the best loyalty program around – your public library.