2026 Valdez Consortium Library Card Design Contest

The Valdez Library is refreshing its look, and we want to feature local talent on our new library cards. We are looking for artists of ALL AGES to submit original artwork that celebrates our community, the joy of reading, and what the library means to them. Your design could be in the wallets of thousands of residents!

Valdez Consortium Library Card Design Contest

As National Library Card Sign-up Month approaches this September, the Valdez Library is thrilled to unveil our 2026 Library Card Design Contest! This is your chance to shine a spotlight on local creativity and show your Library Love. Imagine your artwork gracing a special-edition library card, shared with neighbors and friends throughout the community.

Calling artists of every age: submit your imaginative library card designs between April 19 and May 30, 2026. Afterward, a panel of judges will select standout finalists in three categories. To top it off, the whole community will join the excitement during Summer Reading by voting for their favorites.

Timeline

April 19 – May 30 – Submission Period

June 1 – June 15 – Preliminary Judging

June 16 – July 31 – Public Voting

September 1 – Library Card Sign-up Month Kick-Off Event and Recognition of Winners

Artists will utilize their skills and imagination to create an original design that celebrates libraries and the city of Valdez, Alaska.

All submissions:

• MUST include the Valdez Sugarloaf Mountain icon somewhere in their design.
• An eligible entry 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.
• An eligible design MUST NOT include any obscene, violent, or defamatory words or imagery.
• The winning artwork will be printed on rectangular library cards and will feature the Valdez Sugarloaf Mountain icon.  Artists should design artwork to fit in one of the provided templates.  Artwork behind the Valdez Sugarloaf Mountain icon should not interfere with the legibility of the icon.
• 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-drawn, paper submissions MUST be drawn on white paper, preferably using the template from the Library.
• Submissions may be hand-drawn using pencils, pens, crayons, markers, paint, or other mixed media tools, or created using graphic design software. However, the use of an AI art generator to create their designs is not allowed. 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 Library upon request.

• Participants must be a member of the Valdez, Alaska community.
• All ages are welcome by the submission date to enter.
• If the participant is under the age of 18, a parent/guardian must also sign the Creative Works Release.
• Only one entry per participant will be accepted.