ACPL Takes Library Card Sign-Up Month to the Pitch with Discount FWFC Tickets

 September is National Library Card Sign-Up Month, and the Allen County Public Library (ACPL) is celebrating with a little hometown team spirit. This year, ACPL is partnering with the Fort Wayne Football Club (FWFC) to encourage Allen County residents to get in the game and discover everything a library card has to offer—with a special limited-edition library card featuring Friendly the Goalrilla, FWFC’s mascot.

The partnership will kick off with “Library Night at Fort Wayne FC” on Saturday, Sept. 5, when Fort Wayne FC takes on the New York Cosmos at 7:30 p.m. at Ruoff Mortgage Stadium (6411 Bass Rd., Fort Wayne). Library fans and soccer fans are invited to come out for an evening of community, soccer, post-game fireworks, and library-card pride. It’s a chance to celebrate the new partnership, cheer on the home team, and take advantage of discounted tickets starting at $19.80. Parking lot reservations and discounted tickets can be purchased at acpl.info/fwfc. 

“Library Card Sign-Up Month is all about showing people that a library card can connect them to books, but also the community,” said Chris Ford, Marketing Manager for ACPL. “Partnering with Fort Wayne Football Club gives us another fun way to tell more folks, and with Friendly the Goalrilla on our card, we think this year’s library card is a real game-changer.”

An ACPL library card provides access to a collection of more than 2.7 million books, movies, video games, board games and more, as well as study rooms, job search assistance, digital streaming services, professional training platforms and programs for all ages.

The event coincides with the kickoff of National Library Card Sign Up Month, an annual event celebrating libraries across the country and reminding everyone of the power of a library card.

In the ACPL’s 2024-28 strategic plan, “Allen County’s Window to Lifelong Learning and Discovery,” the library included a strategic goal to increase the percentage of Allen County residents with library cards. Library Card Sign-Up Month is an important part of that effort—and a chance to remind current cardholders to make the most of their cards while encouraging friends, family members and neighbors to sign up.

“Whether you’re a soccer fan, a lifelong library user, new to Fort Wayne or just looking for ways to save money and discover something new, this year’s Library Card Sign-Up Month has something for you,” said Ford. “Everything starts with a card—and this one’s ready to get in the game.”

ACPL library cards are free to all Allen County residents and individuals who attend or work at a school in Allen County. Residents outside of Allen County can also access ACPL services through a subscription card for a modest annual fee. Sign up for a library card at acpl.info/get-a-library-card.