From backpacks to binders, back-to-school shopping is big business. According to Matt Schulz, the chief credit analyst at Lending Tree, “With inflation running rampant and supply chain issues lingering, these are definitely not the best of times. Lots of families are going to have to make some real sacrifices and have some uncomfortable conversations this back-to-school shopping season.”
This year will be especially pricey for families. According to the National Retail Federation, 2022 back-to-school spending will match last year’s record-breaking high of $37 billion, with families spending an average of $834 on supplies.
Happily, there is one school supply you can acquire at no cost – a library card. September is Library Card Sign-up Month, a time when the American Library Association and public libraries throughout the nation emphasize the value of a library card. Library Card Sign-up Month has given librarians an opportunity to remind families that a library card is the key to academic success and a lifetime of enriching experiences.
