Lookit These Library Cards From Around The US!

From the papyri scrolls of ancient Alexandria, to Benjamin Franklin’s Junto in Philadelphia, to the “bookless” library in San Antonio, to the very mobile Lower Ninth Ward Street Library in New Orleans, libraries hold the knowledge of a culture—and are greater than the sum of their holdings. Did you know that libraries in every state lend print and digital books? And all for free!

1. Birmingham, Alabama

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This library card is valid for any public library within the county. Jefferson County has 40 libraries!

2. Fairbanks, Alaska

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This borough includes a branch in North Pole, Alaska. The Noel Wien Library, the main library, serves as a regional library for the entire northern portion of Alaska.

3. Phoenix, Arizona

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Phoenix Public Library called for local artists to help redesign their new library card. Kiyomi King designed this gorgeous, winged reader.

4. Fayetteville, Arkansas

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Fayetteville Public Library was the first library in Arkansas to win the Library of the Year Award in 2005. Not only do they lend books and ebooks, they also host book clubs that discuss fiction, nonfiction, and mystery books.

5. Los Angeles, California

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The Los Angeles Public Library serves more than 4 million people. It has the largest population of any library system in the US. And all sales from their awesome Library Store support the LAPL.

6. Denver, Colorado

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Children (ages 5–18) can also use the Denver Public Library card to access Denver parks and recreation centers.

7. New Haven, Connecticut

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What does the “f” in “nhfpl” stand for on these colorful cards? “Free!” The New Haven Free Public Library. And it's not just access to books. Their calendar of free events will keep you busy, too!

8. New Castle, Delaware

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The Delaware Library Catalog strives to bring communities and organizations together. They offer a free mobile app, an Ask A Librarian service that's 24/7, and librarians who might approach you and ask, "What do you geek?"

9. Orlando, Florida

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The Orange County Library System in Florida offers an assortment of library cards such as: adult, juvenile, and the PC pass for use of their PC computers. Their excellent programming includes a monthly Writers' Corner. And info on hurricane preparedness!

10. Smyrna, Georgia

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Smyrna Public Library is the oldest city library in Georgia. There you'll find a charming sculpture of a frog reading a book.

11. Honolulu, Hawaii

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The Hawaii Public Library System is dedicated to fostering a love of reading and learning to its communities. (And it’s so pretty!) The library's programs include: music performances, preschool storytimes, cultural events, author talks, and informational seminars. Visit them in person, on their website, or on Instagram.

12. Boise, Idaho

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The Boise Public Library offers several card designs: a goldfish, Stonehenge, Readworthy the Library Dragon, a bronze sculpture of children, an Amur tiger, and pop art by Paul Gilligan.

13. Chicago, Illinois

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The Chicago Public Library includes 80 locations that work to provide access to books, technology, and cultural programs. Explore their staff picks for your next great read.

14. Indianapolis, Indiana

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As of the end of 2013, The Indy Library had more than 500,000 registered borrowers with access to their 15.9 million books in circulation, and many options for digital books and audiobooks.

15. Des Moines, Iowa

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The Des Moines Public Library includes six locations and thriving outreach programs such as “Read (Red) Rover Outreach” and Homebound Services. Love their Books & Beyond blog!

16. Kansas City, Kansas

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The Kansas City Library Card enables access to online library resources such as research databases and audiobooks. This library is striving to make Kansas City one of America’s most literate communities.

17. Louisville, Kentucky

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The Louisville Free Public Library is committed to fulfilling the needs and interest of its patrons with the help of its library services, public events and programs, bookmobile, and more.

18. New Orleans, Louisiana

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The New Orleans Public Library is comprised of various branches and resource centers for the city, including the African American Resource Center, Youth Services, the YMCA Adult Literacy Center, and a city archive. "Speaking Volumes" = clever tagline.

19. Winthrop, Maine

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The Bailey Public Library features an “uncensored” collection, “made available in accordance with the principles of intellectual freedom.” They also have an amazing archive of historic photos.

20. Ocean Pines, Maryland

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The Worcester County Library has a great motto for its five branches: “Books are just the beginning.” (And they have their own cookbook!)

21. Detroit, Michigan

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The Detroit Public Library is the largest library system in the state and has more than 4.1 million items available to its patrons. Their Skillman Branch is home to the National Automotive History Collection, an archive of 600,000 photographs and documents.

22. Boston, Massachusetts

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The Boston Public Library is a major library system that has had 3.7 million visits to its branches over the last year, and 7.8 million to its website.

23. Minnetonka, Minnesota

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Library cards of the past and present! The library offers classes in ebook basics for patrons new to borrowing ebooks.

24. Rankin, Mississippi

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We love the fact that someone used the tagline “Be the smartest student . . . get the smartest card!” was used to celebrate The Central Mississippi Regional Library System. And that they have a telephone-based "Dial-A-Story" program!

25. Springfield, Missouri

The Springfield-Greene County Library District supports literacy in their community with reading programs, offers computer classes, and highlights local history with books about the region. (Photo courtesy of The Springfield-Greene County Library District)

Independence, Missouri

We love how the Mid-Continent Public Library suggests all that’s within one’s reach with this snazzy Access Pass. (Photo courtesy of the Mid-Continent Public Library) And they have a digital bookmobile!

26. Helena, Montana

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The Lewis and Clark Library was opened before Montana became a territory. Check out their genealogy resources!

27. Omaha, Nebraska

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We agree with the Omaha Public Library: Reading does open your world. Here are some worlds being explored by their librarians.

28. Las Vegas, Nevada

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Congratulations for being named the 2014 recipient of the National Medal for Museum and Library Service!

29. Manchester, New Hampshire

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The Manchester City Library is so accessible with this pile of library cards. And you can explore the library further by perusing their photos on Flickr.

30. Westampton, New Jersey

In addition to lending books, movies, and music, the Burlington County Library System has their own free mobile app. Very 21st century! (Photo courtesy of the Burlington County Library System)

31. Santa Fe, New Mexico

Via nmstatelibrary.org

The Santa Fe Public Library System encourages learning, reading, and honoring its community's cultural heritage.

32. New York, New York

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The NYPL library card represents everything about New Yorkers: Rich in diversity, with a hunger for knowledge, and a soft spot for literary lions (Patience and Fortitude).

33. Greensboro, North Carolina

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The Greensboro Public Library’s card is totally right: a library is a path to a world of possibilities, especially when its librarians are at the ready with reading recommendations.

34. Grand Forks, North Dakota

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The sun on the Grand Forks Public Library’s card pleasantly represents its community, where residents can borrow Nook e-readers for their e-reading pleasure.

35. Dayton, Ohio

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With 21 branches, the Dayton Metro Library’s services include: delivery of books to the homebound, access to academic and cultural collections, as well free arts programs.

36. Tulsa, Oklahoma

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This adorable library card from the Tulsa City-County Library sends a great message: Books are made to be treasured. Some of these treasures can be discovered on their excellent Reading Addict blog.

37. Portland, Oregon

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Carrying these Multnomah County library cards in your wallet might be a challenge… But asking their librarians for custom book recommendations is not!

38. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Jeremy Webner and associates redesigned the Free Library of Philadelphia to be more welcoming and fun for readers of all ages. They introduced this new card to go with the cool revamped space. And when you can't make it in person, catch up via their series of podcasts. (Photo courtesy of the Free Library of Philadelphia)

39. Newport, Rhode Island

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We love the fact that this library card combines Rhode Island’s nickname (the “Ocean State”) and its citizens’ love of reading! They've even curated a list of Newport Stories!

40. Columbia, South Carolina

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Yes, libraries have the answers, and have for decades in the state of South Carolina. The first statewide library program here was created under the Works Project Administration (1935 to 1943)!

41. Pierre, South Dakota

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Ecards and ebooks—a perfect match. Browse the South Dakota digital collections for even more e-knowledge.

42. Nashville, Tennessee

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Nashville’s skyline is beautifully displayed on the city’s library cards. Learn about the history of Nashville with their obituary, cemetery, and genealogy records.

43. Arlington, Texas

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The star on the Arlington Public Library’s card resembles the star on the Texas state flag. Clever! (Congrats on being called out by the Dollar General Literacy Foundation!)

44. Richfield, Utah

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The Richfield Public Library system has a great bookmobile because they are “driven to read.” For reals!

45. Burlington, Vermont

Yes, Fletcher Free Library, libraries are definitely filled with good things. Subscribe to their BiblioFile newsletter to be kept in the loop. (Photo courtesy of the Fletcher Free Library)

46. Virginia Beach, Virginia

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The Virginia Beach Public Library’s card reminds us that reading helps us discover the world, through the books, magazines, audiobooks, and music they have for you to download and read (or hear)!

47. Seattle, Washington

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The Seattle Public Library has several designs for patrons to choose from, including Pike Place Market, the Space Needle, Mount Rainier and Central Library, and one very cute, kid-friendly card. Opportunity. Imagination. Discovery. Fun. Awesome. And you can use your library card to reserve and print out an admission pass to participating Seattle museums at no charge.

48. Charleston, West Virginia

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The Kanawha County Public Library’s card design is simple and classic, but the 600,000 items in their media collections and programs offer something for everyone in the community.

49. Madison, Wisconsin

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The Madison Public Library has reading clubs for everyone in their community: kids, teens, and adults.

50. Cheyenne, Wyoming

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The Wyoming State Library card represents its state perfectly with its landscape-and-mountain design. You may also like its Library Cafe, with all proceeds benefiting the Laramie County Library System’s services and programs.