City of Soldotna Library Card Design Contest

In anticipation of National Library Card Sign-up Month in September, the Soldotna Public Library is excited to announce a Library Card Design Contest for 2026! Together, we'll highlight local talent and celebrate Soldotna’s library pride. Your art could be featured on a limited edition library card that is distributed to community across the area!

Library Card Design Contest

Calling All Artists!

In anticipation of National Library Card Sign-up Month in September, the Soldotna Public Library is excited to announce a Library Card Design Contest for 2026! Together, we'll highlight local talent and celebrate Soldotna’s library pride. Your art could be featured on a limited edition library card that is distributed to community across the area!

How It Works

Artists of all ages are invited to submit their library card designs from February 17 – March 31, 2026. A panel of judges will review and select the finalists in each of three categories, finally, a community vote will determine the winners.

Timeline

• February 17 – March 31 – Submission Period
• April 15 – April 30 – Preliminary Judging
• May 1 – May 15 – Public Voting
• September 1 – Library Card Sign-up Month Kick Off Event and Recognition of Winners

Design Requirements

Artists must use their skills to create an original design that celebrates libraries and Soldotna, Alaska. All submissions:

MUST Include the Soldotna Library logo somewhere in their design. 

MUST be original artwork and not include stock photos, borrowed images, AI-generated imagery, product logos, copyrighted characters or other material, brand names, etc. All entries must be the original artwork, of high quality, and executed solely by the artist. Work that has been directly copied from any published source, may not be entered unless the artist has creatively modified or reinterpreted the original work using the artist’s own vision or style.

MUST NOT include any obscene, violent, or defamatory words or imagery

Winning artwork will be printed on rectangular library cards and will include the Soldotna Library logo.  Artists should design artwork to fit in one of the provided templates.  Artwork behind the City of Soldotna logo should not interfere with the legibility of the logo.  

Digital submissions must meet the acceptable file formats for the online submission platform (JPEG or JPG format, under 5 MB, and 1,425 pixels or greater on the longest side)

Hand rendered submissions MUST be drawn on white paper

Submissions may be hand-drawn using pencils, pens, crayons, markers, paint, or other mixed media tools, or created using graphic design software, but artists may not use an AI art generator to create their designs. Digital files must be submitted as high-quality JPEG or JPG files.

If your submission is made using the online submission portal, please retain your original artwork so it can be made available to the City of Soldotna upon request.

How to Enter

To enter online: Visit this link. Artists must create a free account with Call for Entry (CaFE) to submit artwork.  Visit https://artist.callforentry.org/register_info.php to create an account.  Please follow the CaFE guidelines for acceptable file formats when uploading artwork. Artists must upload artwork to "My Portfolio" within their CaFE account. Once artwork is uploaded, it can be selected for submission to this contest. 

To enter in-person: Download, print, and complete the entry form, or pick up a form at the library. Mail or deliver the entry form and parental consent form (if a minor) to the Soldotna Public Library, 235 N. Binkley Street, Attn: Library Card Design Contest, Soldotna, AK 99669. Mailed submissions must be received by the deadline of March 31, 2026—postmarks do not count.

Selection of Winners

Entries will be judged by a qualified panel based on compliance with design requirements, artistic skill and excellence, the design’s celebration of libraries and the design’s relevance and representation of Soldotna, Alaska.

The panel will narrow down the submissions to the top 3-5 in each of the three categories, and then the public will determine final winners. The decision of the panel regarding any winners is final, including, but not limited to, any decision that no winners will be chosen.

Prizes

The Winners in each category (Youth, Teen, and Adult) will receive a framed copy of their library card design and certificate, one (1) 10-punch pass to the Soldotna Field House, Friends of the Library Book Bag and book sale coupons, City of Soldotna promotional items, and potentially other awards at the Soldotna Library’s discretion.

All expenses, fees, tariffs, and taxes will be responsibility of the Winners. Entrants may not resell, assign, or transfer any of their rights in their Submissions under these Official Rules.

No assignment, transfer, or substitution of the Prize is permitted, but the City reserves the right to substitute a Prize for one of comparable or greater value should the Prize become impracticable to award or unavailable for any reason.

Youth Category

This category is open to students 12 years old or younger.

Artists must:

• Use the printable entry forms provided, or submit via the CaFE online submission platform
• Be a student residing on the Kenai Peninsula, or enrolled in school in the Kenai Peninsula Borough
• Be less than 13 years old
• Include the Soldotna Library logo somewhere in their design
• Meet the design requirements described below
• Agree to the terms and conditions, including providing a signed copy of the parental/legal guardian consent form (minors may not submit their own artwork)

Teen Category

This category is open to students 13-18 years old.

Artists must:

• Submit design through the CaFE online submission platform or use of the printable entry forms provided
• Be a student residing on the Kenai Peninsula or enrolled in a school in the Kenai Peninsula Borough
• Be 13-18 years old
• Include the Soldotna Library logo somewhere in their design
• Meet the design requirements described below
• Agree to the terms and conditions, including providing a signed copy of the parental/legal guardian consent form, if under 18 (minors may not submit their own artwork)

Adult Category

This category is open to adults 19+.

Artists must:

• Use the CaFE online submission platform
• Be a resident of the Kenai Peninsula Borough
• Be at least 19 years old
• Include the Soldotna Library logo somewhere in their design
• Meet the design requirements described below
• Agree to the terms and conditions