In celebration of National Library Card Sign-Up Month and the 20th anniversary of Kent Free Library’s new building, the library is hosting its first ever library card design competition. The winning design will be featured on a limited-edition library card issued in 2026 and will win a $100 cash prize.
You must be a Portage County resident and at least 14 years old to enter. Designers should highlight the spirit of the Kent community, the library and the city. The panel of library staff will base their selection on interpretation of the theme, creativity, and functionality as a library card.
Designs can be made digitally or with traditional materials, in any medium as long as it can be scanned at a high resolution. They must be submitted by Sept. 30, and the winner will be announced in November.
The library is also holding a library card selfie raffle on social media this September. Submitting a selfie with your library card will enter you into a drawing to win a $50 Kent Card.
You can learn more about upcoming celebrations and how to submit to the contest at https://www.kentfreelibrary.org/content/library-card-sign-month-september-1-30-0
Natalie Wolford
Natalie Wolford is managing editor at The Portager. A native of Randolph, she studied film in New York City and is producing a feature-length documentary about her aunt, a small-town journalist.