We are thrilled to announce a library card design contest! Print a library card design template here. Check out the official rules below:
2025 East Lansing Public Library Card Design Contest
Official Rules for Submission
Eligibility:
Library card designs will be judged in three categories: youth (ages 12 and under), teens (ages 13-17), and adults (ages 18+). One winner will be chosen from each category.
Artists must be eligible for an East Lansing Public Library card (including current non-resident cardholders). Library cards are free to:
- East Lansing residents
- East Lansing property tax payers
- Current City of East Lansing employees
- Current MSU and LCC students
- Non-resident students attending a school in East Lansing
- Haven House residents
Non-resident cards are available for $30 per year for an individual or $40 per year for a family.
Individuals serving on the judging panels are not eligible to submit artwork to the contest. Family members and household members of individuals serving on the judging panels may not submit to a category that their relative is judging, but may otherwise enter the contest.
Art Criteria:
Art will be judged based on a five-point rubric assessing creativity and originality, skill and design, and presentation and relevance to the library. Please do not include your name or any other identifiable information on your art submission; works will be anonymized during the judging process.
Art should be submitted as 3.125” x 1.875” as a .png, .jpg, or in a flattened pdf. All kinds of visual art will be accepted, including, but not limited to: painting, drawing, digital art, oil pastels, photography, fiber arts, etc., and must be scanned or photographed in high resolution according to the size specifications, and submitted without any additional background.
Judges:
Judging panels for each age category have been assembled based on a call for volunteers. The following individuals will serve on the judging panels:
Youth Panel:
- Gillian Streeter, ELPL Youth Services Librarian
- Rheanna Reeder, ELPL Youth Services Specialist
- Gabby Kindig, ELPL Communications Lead
- Maureen McCabe-Power, Friends of the Library
- Heather Majano, East Lansing Art Festival & Arts Initiative Coordinator
Teen Panel:
- Storm Hawthorn, ELPL Teen Services and Schools Liaison Librarian
- Zandra Blake, ELPL Engagement Team Leader
- Liz Kish, ELPL Experience Team Leader
- Jennifer Sparrow, Friends of the Library
- Elinor Holbrook, East Lansing Arts Commission
Adult Panel:
- Mindy Rietkerk, ELPL Adult Services Librarian
- Diana Marable, ELPL Technical Services Assistant
- Liv Bloway, Experience Team Specialist
- Cathy Mahler, Friends of the Library
- Ranae Selmeyer, East Lansing Art Selection Panel
Additional Rules:
The use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) is strictly prohibited. All work must be original to the artist. Images suspected of using AI will be shared with local art experts to verify AI usage.
By submitting your work, you agree that the Library has the right to publish or reproduce your artwork for educational, informational or promotional purposes without any payment or compensation to you, including in Library marketing materials and the 2025/2026 library card design. You authorize the East Lansing Public Library to use and publish your artwork in print or electronically. Winning art pieces become the property of the library and may not be reused or sold for non-Library purposes.
You also certify that any photos submitted were taken within East Lansing, and that all persons depicted in any photos consent to the Library to use their likeness in photograph in any and all of its publications, print or electronic, without any payment or compensation.
Deadlines:
The contest opens at 12:01am on October 1. Art must be submitted by 11:59pm on October 31. Entries submitted after the submission deadline will be disqualified, and all rights to disqualified artwork remain with the artist. All entries must be submitted online via the official entry portal.
Winners will be chosen and announced to the public by November 14.
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