BOSTON, MA - August 31, 2026 - In celebration of Library Card Sign-Up Month, the Boston Public Library (BPL) has announced the winners of its recent Library Card Design Contest. Three designs, one from each of the Adult, Teen, and Youth age groups, were chosen from over 400 entries. The three new designs printed on library cards will be available starting on August 31, 2026, at all locations, to kick off September, and will remain in circulation throughout 2027 while supplies last.
The contest ran from May 15 to June 15 and was open to all BPL cardholders. One submission of original work was accepted per person. Entrants were encouraged to create a design based on what the library means to them and how the motto “Free to All” inspires them.
BPL staff reviewed and voted on the designs based on creativity, artistic merit, and effective communication of the card’s message. The following patrons were selected as winners:
Elly Otharsson, Adult
“A library is a special place, especially this one. I've walked into this lobby with my niece so many times over the years, for story hour and for concerts in the courtyard. It never stops feeling magical! For this design, I was inspired by the magic of this iconic room: the staircase, the lions, the light, oh my! How lucky are we to call this library ours."
Carolyn Taylor, Teen
“The lion on the card is inspired by the statues inside the BPL. Last year, when I was showing my out-of-town friend around Boston, she was amazed by the library lions and said they looked like guardians. That inspired me to turn the lion into a caring figure who protects the weak. As for the lion’s friend, the mouse — even though the lion and the mouse are often called enemies, the library is the perfect place for them to find common ground."
Julianna Peng, Youth
“I was inspired by books I read, Boston, and animals such as ducks (like Make Way for Ducklings statues), pandas, and lobsters (it seems like lobsters are the most popular food in Boston). Big thanks to my mom, who helped me think of ideas and encouraged me to draw more even when I was tired. The library means free to all. Free to all means that anybody can read the books, no matter who they are, and it's all free! Books bring you to different places and worlds, and it makes you feel like you're actually there!”
The winning designers, along with some honorable mentions, are now featured on the BPL website and on the BPL social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram).
How to Get a New Boston Public Library Card:
- Starting August 31, 2026, at all library locations, new cards featuring these designs will be available at no cost to new and existing BPL cardholders.
- Come with a picture ID and proof of Massachusetts residency, which can be either a physical document or an official document available on an electronic device. A Massachusetts driver’s license or ID card satisfies both requirements.
- If you don’t have a Massachusetts driver’s license or state ID, you can bring some other form of ID that shows your picture and signature along with official mail sent to you at a Massachusetts address.
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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.