We’ve passed the halfway point of Library Card Sign-up Month, and it’s been heartening to see how libraries and library lovers across the country are embracing and sharing its message: A library card unlocks countless books, resources, potential, and fun for all ages.
More and more libraries are using library cards to increase engagement by holding library card design contests for their communities and by partnering with local organizations, sports teams, and national brands to create new card designs. Here are some of our favorites from the month thus far:
San Jose (Calif.) Public Library (SJPL) has unveiled its newest library card, designed in collaboration with the Golden State Warriors basketball team. City Librarian Jill Bourne hopes it encourages more hoops fans to check out the library and its materials.
“We hope to get Warriors fans to use the San Jose Public Library and get new fans to sign up for the system,” Bourne said during an event at SJPL’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Main Library.
This is the SJPL’s third sports-themed library card, following a San Jose Sharks card in 2019 and a San Francisco 49ers card in 2023.
The card is available now and can be used to check out materials at all 25 San Jose Public Library locations.
Sonoma County (Calif.) Library debuted out two new library cards this month: one featuring “Peanuts” cartoon art and another designed by a 7-year-old.
Caleb Tisthammer, a second grader at Loma Vista Immersion Academy in Petaluma, California, won the library’s library card design contest after encouragement from his parents. More than 200 local students entered the contest.
On his card, Caleb illustrated children holding hands with the phrase “Everyone’s invited” in English and Spanish above and below. Caleb used the Spanish he learned in school.
“When I go to the library, I see a lot of different types of people,” he told the Press Democrat.
After finishing his design, Caleb hand delivered it to the library to be entered into the competition.
“It was fun to see Caleb try it out,” said Caleb’s father Troy Tisthammer. “We were just really impressed with his design since it was really all his own.”
Both library cards are available at any Sonoma County Library location. Library cards are free and there is no age limit to receive a card but children do need a parent or guardian’s signature.
Great River Regional Library (GRRL) in Minnesota has announced the three winning designs of its library card design contest.
The library received 561 submissions from 452 kids, 64 teens, and 45 adults for the contest, which began in June. Anyone living in GRRL’s service area could participate. The artwork was judged based on creativity, design, and how well it communicated the message, “Why do you love your library?”
Current GRRL library cardholders can upgrade their library card for $1 to choose a design (that comes with a new barcode).
San Antonio Public Library (SAPL) has seven, new limited-edition library cards (above) that celebrate the rich cultural traditions of the city and the unique experience of visiting the library. Featured on the cards are the classic Mexican card game lotería, the San Antonio skyline, cowboy boots and bluebonnets, SAPL’s mascot Smarty, and more.
“A San Antonio Public Library card is your key to the vast resources and opportunities offered by the library,” Kathy Donellan, SAPL Interim Library Director, said in a statement. “I encourage everyone in San Antonio to take a few minutes to visit their local library and pick out one of these beautiful new library cards while they last!”
Residents of the city or county may sign up for a new card or trade in their old cards for the new design at any library branch with a photo ID, while supplies last. The cards are free.
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