The Ridgefield Library will tap the town’s creative juices this summer to produce some “designer” library cards ahead of the opening of the new facility next spring.
The library is looking for entries in five categories in a design competition among children and adults to be judged by a panel of experts.
In addition, residents will be able to weigh in online with a “People’s Choice” among the winners in each category.
Entries will be displayed in the library’s temporary home on Governor Street.
The new library cards offering a choice among the five winning entries will become available, for a nominal fee, before the new library opens for business next April.
The design theme for the contest is “Magical Words: How Books Spark Our Imagination.”
The categories are: Kindergarten to grade five; middle school (grades six through eight); high school (grades nine through 12); adults; and art professionals. Each winner will be recognized at a celebratory awards event, receive gift certificates from local businesses and have their design featured in the Community Mural at the New Ridgefield Library.
The deadline for entries is Friday, Aug. 16, at 5 p.m. Entry forms are available now at the library or online at www.RidgefieldLibrary.org.
“A library card offers universal access to a wide variety of information and learning service, among which our more than 100,000 books are the just the tip of the iceberg,” library Director Chris Nolan said. “As our patrons already know — the library increasingly caters to all ages, tastes and practical needs in all forms of media. The services at the new library will broaden community access to online resources, audio/video and special events for all generations.
“We hope everyone will want one of these designer cards to help celebrate the new Ridgefield library. You can still use your existing card if you wish, yet for a nominal amount patrons will be able to select a card featuring one of the five design contest winners.”
The winning designs may also be used on library card promotional materials, including posters, bookmarks, forms and fliers, and on the library’s website.
Contestants should be new or existing library cardholders (or be a family member of a cardholder). Non-patrons should sign up before submitting an entry.
Both horizontal and vertical designs will be considered; specifications are detailed on the entry form. The eventual winning cards will be in the standard size of 3.375 inches by 2.125 inches.
All artwork must be original manual drawings or illustrations using colored pencil, pen or paint. Digitally generated designs and photography will not be considered.
Entries should be handed in at the Circulation Desk in the Governor Street temporary facility during regular library hours. Cards will be judged based on creativity, design and relevance to the central theme of “Magical Words: How Books Spark Our Imagination.”
For more information, contact Assistant Library Director Mary Rindfleisch at 203-438-2282 ext. 1009 or mfrind@ridgefieldlibrary.org.
Written by Mary Rindfleisch of the Ridgefield Library