KCLS recently announced the release of a brand new set of custom cards designed by local artists, including our friend barry johnson. With funding cuts looming for the American Library Association, there couldn't be a more urgent time to show up and support the King County Library System.
This is the first new set of designs to be released in a decade.10,000 copies of each card will be distributed through the library system for pickup. Library members can replace their current cards but will get a new card number; for people looking to get their first library card, these beautiful designs present the perfect incentive. The seven artists featured include Stacy Nguyen, barry johnson, Bethany Fackrell, Don Clark, Hernan Paganini, Marisol Ortega, and Stevie Shao. Each artist created designs that celebrate the world of books and reflect the people, beauty, and whimsy of the Pacific Northwest.
Heidi Daniel, the library system's executive director, told The Seattle Times, “We’re hoping that some people that don’t have library cards will be interested in getting some of these little artworks, or maybe they’ll come in and get their card, and then they’ll look around and realize how many resources KCLS has for its community.” In addition to books and event programming, the library offers resources like classes, maker spaces, and audio recording studios.
Johnson's card features a Black boy reading in what he calls a “dream space” inspired by the Colosseum. A voracious reader, he hoped the design would channel memories of a childhood spent getting lost in books and transported to new worlds by them. “ I can remember not (having) access to after-school programs and (not) even being able to be watched after school and having to hang out at the library. That just became my go-to space." He remembers going to the library to steep himself in comics, particularly old Superman and Batman comics.
If you don’t want to swap out your card but like the designs, KCLS will also have postcards available, as well as coloring pages designed by some of the artists. Learn more and order your new card at kcls.org.
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