BOSTON, MA – May 14, 2026 – The Boston Public Library (BPL) is inviting artists of all ages to take part in a special Library Card Design Contest in preparation for Library Card Sign-Up Month this September. The contest will run from May 15 through June 15, 2026.
The contest offers a unique opportunity for the community to help shape the look of limited-edition BPL library cards. One adult (18+), one teen (13-17), and one youth (0-12) winner will have their original artwork featured on official Boston Public Library cards in circulation during 2026–2027, starting in September. In addition, honorable mention selections will be highlighted on the library’s website and social media channels.
Participants are encouraged to create original designs that reflect what the library means to them and their communities. Submissions will be evaluated by library staff based on artistic merit, creativity, and how effectively the design communicates its message, including interpretations of the library’s motto, ‘Free to All.’
The contest is open to all BPL cardholders, with one entry permitted per person. Submissions must be original works created by a single individual; AI-generated content will not be accepted. Entries must be submitted through the official online application form and include agreement to the Photo/Creative Works Release. Artwork should be high-resolution and formatted to library card dimensions. The submission deadline is Monday, June 15, 2026, at 5:00 PM, and only complete entries will be reviewed.
Winners will be contacted directly and may be featured alongside their designs on BPL platforms.
Anyone who lives, works, owns property, or attends school in Massachusetts is eligible for a BPL card. Those who do not yet have a card can sign up for an eCard online or visit any BPL location.
For more information, full contest guidelines, and to submit your design, please visit bpl.org/boston-public-library-card-design-contest/.
##
ABOUT THE BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY
Established in 1848, the Boston Public Library is a pioneer of public library service in America. It was the first large, free municipal library in the United States; the first public library to lend books; the first to have a branch library; and the first to have a children’s room.
The Boston Public Library of today is a robust system that includes the Central Library in Copley Square, 25 neighborhood branches, the Norman B. Leventhal Map and Education Center, the Kirstein Business Library and Innovation Center, and an archival center, offering public access to world-class special collections of rare books, manuscripts, photographs, and prints, along with rich digital content and online services.
The Boston Public Library serves nearly 4 million visitors per year and millions more online. All of its programs and exhibitions are free to all and open to the public. The Boston Public Library is a department of the City of Boston, under the leadership of Mayor Michelle Wu. To learn more, visit bpl.org.