Library card design contest winners are available just in time for September Library Card Sign-Up Month! Get or renew your library card with a winning design.
September marks National Library Card Sign-Up Month. Across the county, libraries are reminding their communities about the benefits of owning and using a library card. What a perfect time to announce our 2026 Library Card Design Contest winners! This FREE card that gives you access to books, movies, music, magazines, kits, WiFi hotspots, online databases, community events, and more! Now your library card can also feature a local artist's design.
Back in June 2026, Great River Regional Library (GRRL) welcomed artists of all ages to submit designs for new library cards! Anyone living in GRRL's service area could participate by illustrating our next library card. The artwork was judged based on creativity, design, and how well it communicates the message, "Why do you love your library?" We had an astonishing response in participation, with 445 submissions from 324 kids, 48 teens, and 52 adults from across the GRRL region. Thank you to everyone who participated in the contest!
Big congratulations to our Library Card Design Contest Winners!
Here are the results by category:
Kids (ages 0-12)
- Winner: Antolina, age 8, from St. Michael
- Runner-Up: Maisie, age 11, from Becker
- Honorable Mention: Mayumi, age 9, from St. Michael
Teens (ages 13-19)
- Winner: Mallory, age 15, from Elk River
- Runner-Up: Lillie Mae, age 13, from St. Cloud
- Honorable Mention: Zachary, age 14, from Waite Park
Adults (ages 20+)
- Winner: Corey, from Grey Eagle
- Runner-Up: Elena, from Monticello
- Honorable Mention: Becky, from Elk River
Library Staff
- Winner: Amanda, St. Cloud Library Associate
- Runner-Up: Eric, Circulation & Distribution Coordinator
- Honorable Mention: Jane, Tech Services Clerk
The winning design cards are available starting September 1, 2026 (while supplies last) in your local library!
New to the library? Apply for your free library card here or at any branch library.
For those who sign-up for a library card or have an expired card, you may choose your card's design after sign-up at your library. This must be done in-person at your library, not online. Current library cardholders can upgrade their library card for $1 to select a design (which includes a new barcode). Questions? Call the library hotline at 1-833-GET-GRRL (1-833-438-4775) -- or contact your local library location.
Thank you to everyone who participated in the contest!
Learn more about the Great River Regional Library on our About Us page.