Choose Your Library Card Design
Local Sports Teams
Golden State Warriors
On Tuesday, September 17, 2024, SJPL and the Golden State Warriors released a new library card design, which includes basketball-themed doodles in gold and white on a blue background.
San Jose Sharks
On Saturday, October 15, 2022, SJPL and SJ Sharks released a new library card design, which includes the Sharks official logo with teal background. The new design has been permanently added to the menu of SJPL cards.
San Francisco 49ers
SJPL and the San Francisco 49ers are excited to introduce the first-ever 49er library card. This card was made available to the public starting Tuesday, August 27, 2019. The card was designed to include the 49ers and SJPL’s official logos with a 49ers theme background.
San Jose Sharks (2019)
SJPL was proud to partner with SJ Sharks to present the first-ever Sharks library card. This limited edition card was designed to include the Sharks’ Stealth color scheme and theme. The card was made available starting February 4, 2019.
Library Card Contest Designs
The following six designs were selected among hundreds of creative and diverse designs in the 2016 Library Card Design Contest. Discover what inspired each card designer's artwork in their own words:
Hooked by Victoria L.
"When I was brainstorming a design for the library card contest, I wanted to make sure that whatever I came up with would be fun and interesting for library-goers of all ages and backgrounds. I felt like a happy, reading shark would be a great representation of San Jose and its libraries, while remaining easily recognizable to the cardholder whether they were 8 or 80. Plus, who doesn't love a good pun?"
Untitled by Jeffrey B.
"The main intent of my library card design was to bring awareness and dedication to people with special needs, especially those who are blind or visually impaired. After being diagnosed with holes in my retina, it made me realize how much I take for granted my ability to create visually pleasing art/designs for the world to see and have a better appreciation for my sight. The composition and color draws inspiration from the clean, sunny, urban environment of San Jose with subtle hints of technology.
The main aspiration of entering the contest was to demonstrate to my two children to do good things for people and this world no matter how big or small…to always make a positive difference. That said, the prize will be donated to Santa Clara Valley Blind Center."
Don’t Stop Reading Like a Robot by Iris L.
"My inspiration for the design is to convey the advancement of technology in the Silicon Valley through a robot and the foundation of literacy through letters of the alphabet. Literacy and technology are interconnected; without literacy to empower intellectual learning, we would not be able to produce innovative technology like the sophisticated robot."
Processor by Annika L.
"For my artwork, I drew on San Jose's advanced, technology-prevalent society to form a coherent and stylized piece with elements of modern circuitry. However, I wanted the look of a page from DaVinci's notebook to capture the ageless, human desire for knowledge and information."
Book of Magic by Katelyn H.
"Whenever I read a book, it feels like I'm introduced to a new world of imagination and I can tell exactly what's going on just by reading the words on the pages. I'm presented to a large set of characters that each book announces to the reader, and the author lets the reader get slightly emotionally-attached to the character; like it is an actual person. I chose to draw my piece the way I did because of my love of reading and how amazing the world of reading is."
Reading Under the Stars by Iris M.
"This piece was inspired by how I feel when I read because when I’m reading I feel like I’m somewhere magical. So I thought what’s more magical than reading under the stars? Especially with a cat."
Classic Design
The Classic card was created to celebrate the collaboration between San José Public Library and San José State University. It became available when the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library opened in 2003.