Laufey–the award-winning singer, composer, and instrumentalist–chaired National Library Card Signup Month this year. One of the projects? She and her Laufey Book Club fronted numerous special-edition library cards across the country, including at Los Angeles County, Kern County, Broward County, Des Plaines Library, and more.
This was far from the first special edition library card, and it was also not the only special edition library card to pop up this year. Across the country, libraries are building interesting collaborations with brands and stars to increase sign-ups and to spur discussion about the role of the public library.
Among some of the raddest collaborations this year:
- Jimmy Eat World library cards available at Mesa Public Library (AZ) this fall
- Children’s television and nostalgia were the name of the game with the three different Nickelodeon Television cards offered at Burbank Public Library (CA).
- Hello Kitty and Friends star on special edition library cards in Los Angeles County Libraries (CA); the initial run of these cards ran out, so the library had to restock them by popular demand.
- Two different Jay-Z limited edition cards were available at the Brooklyn Public Library (NY) this year, celebrating major milestone anniversaries for his albums Reasonable Doubt and The Blueprint. This was the second time the library offered Jay-Z cards.
- Nimona library cards were available at Richland County Libraries (SC) earlier this spring, as part of a collaboration with N.D. Stevenson, who grew up in the region.
- The Golden State Valyries collaborated with San Francisco Public Library on cards highlighting the women’s professional basketball team.
There’ve been a number of other fun public library card collaborations in recent history, too, including:
Check Your Shelf
Sign up to receive Check Your Shelf, the Librarian’s One-Stop Shop For News, Book Lists, And More.
And while it wasn’t a collaboration between artist and library, in 2024, the Placentia Public Library (CA) designed a Taylor Swift themed card in honor of the musician’s popularity and her Eras Tour.
These collaborations are a fun and meaningful way to get new library users in the door and take advantage of local artists, local celebrities, and local history. – KJ
