Last Spring was a very exciting time for the Aurora Public Library District (APLD)! We were busily preparing for our first library card design contest. We were so thrilled by the wonderful designs submitted last year that we decided to hold another library card design contest! Interested artists have until Saturday, April 8 to submit their design for the possibility of being chosen as this year’s limited-edition library card.
In May 2022, 9-year-old Dagny Tang’s library card design was revealed as the winner, by popular vote, out of 78 designs submitted. Her card has been very popular with new APLD cardholders. “Customers have loved the new card design,” said assistant circulation manager, Fabiola Duensing. “They’re pleasantly surprised when they hear it was designed by a nine-year-old. When given the choice between that design and our standard card, most people choose the contest winner and comment how unique the special design is.” Dagny Tang’s card reflected last year’s National Library Week theme, “Connect with Your Library.” This year, artists are asked to submit designs that reflect the 2023 theme, “There’s More to the Story.” National Library Week is a great time to tell our Library’s multi-faceted story.
Every year, the Aurora Public Library District celebrates National Library Week (NLW) with special events and giveaways at all locations. Sponsored by the American Library Association and first celebrated in 1958 with the theme “Wake Up and Read”, National Library Week highlights the important role that libraries play in our communities and aims to educate the public about the vast resources they offer. Last year, customers that participated in NLW activities were entered into a drawing to win an APLD picnic blanket! Expect more opportunities for customer participation this year in addition to the Library Card Design Contest.
If you are interested in submitting a design to the contest, you will need to find an effective and creative way to showcase this year’s theme, “There’s More to the Story.” Before you begin sketching, think about what it means to have a library card and what APLD can provide for you. Having a library card means so much more than having the ability to just check out books! APLD checks out museum passes, games, musical instruments, and tools. We bring the city of Aurora together for entertainment, education, and connection. The Library helps our community advance by providing technology access, literacy skills, and support for businesses, job seekers, and entrepreneurs. This year’s winning design will tell our story by finding a way to encompass these points and more with their artwork!
Submitted designs must be the creative and original work of a single individual and free of copyright restrictions. Anyone living in the Library’s service area may enter the contest, but only one entry per person is allowed. Each design must be accompanied by an entry form, available at all Library locations and online at www.aurorapubliclibrary.org/cardcontest. Community members will help determine the winning design by voting during National Library Week, April 23-29. Along with the design being printed on our new library cards later this year, a $100 gift card will be awarded to the winner. We look forward to seeing firsthand how local artists depict the Aurora Public Library District’s story!
Andrea Tiberi is the communications coordinator for the Aurora Public Library District.