Washington-Centerville Public Library is thrilled to invite the community to unleash their creativity in a special Library Card Design Contest. Whether you’re an emerging artist, a seasoned graphic designer, or simply someone who adores the library, this is your moment to shine.
Your artwork could become one of our limited‑edition commemorative Library cards, created in celebration of the grand opening of the Centerville Library this summer.
Design Prompt: Why We Love the Library
Creators are encouraged to reflect on what makes the library meaningful to them and to our community. Your design might explore themes such as:
- A love of stories – the magic of books, imagination, and discovery
- Community connection – a welcoming space for everyone
- Learning and curiosity – celebrating knowledge, creativity, and lifelong learning
- A sense of belonging – the library as a cozy, inspiring home away from home
- Growth and possibility – helping people of all ages grow
- Modern library – a place where you can get not just books, but board games, tools, musical instruments, or make stickers, banners, or use a 3D printer!
Think about the moments, feelings, or symbols that capture why we love the library—and let that guide your artwork.
Submission Period: April 8 – May 8 at 12 p.m., 2026
Community Voting: May 18 – May 20, 2026
Eligibility: Open to residents of all ages who reside in Montgomery County, Ohio, or anyone who has a Washington-Centerville Public Library card. (You can apply for a card online if you live in Ohio.)
Design Guidelines:
- Artwork should reflect the spirit of reading, learning, community, or the Centerville Library itself.
- Submissions must be original. In the spirit of the contest, please do not use AI.
- Designs must not contain material copyrighted or owned by another individual or organization. Designs should also not contain offensive language or inappropriate images.
- Content must be suitable for all ages.
- Design to this size: 6.75” x 4.25”, with the understanding that the dimensions of the card will actually be 3.375” x 2.125”. Designs must fit within the size provided (or you may pick up a template at a library location or on our website).
The Library reserves the right to make minor adjustments to the winning design to fit printing specifications.
- Digital (must be 300 dpi), and hand-drawn entries accepted.
- Design Template
Submission Rules:
- Open only to residents (all ages) of Montgomery County, Ohio, or those who have a Washington-Centerville Public Library Card
- Limit one entry per person, and you must state whether you are under the age of 13, or 14 and above. One winner will be selected for the commemorative card in each age category.
- All entries must be submitted by May 8 at 12 p.m. Late submissions will not be accepted.
- You may submit your design:
Judging and Winners:
- Entries will be judged based on creativity, originality, and visual impact.
- Designs will be judged by Library staff who will select the top 3 designs in each age category (ages 0-13, and ages 14+) to be voted on by the community.
- The winners will be announced in May.
- The winner in each category will have their design featured on a limited-edition Library card in honor of the grand reopening of the Centerville Library later this summer.
Additional Rules and Copyright:
By submitting a design, you agree to abide by all rules of the contest, and you grant Washington-Centerville Public Library a perpetual and irrevocable right to reproduce, modify, or use the submission for any purposes without further permission from the participants and without compensation or attribution. The Library also reserves the right to refuse any or all submissions. Designs will not be returned, and all decisions made by the judging panel are final.
