Maplewood Library Names Card Design Winners

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — Artwork by three residents will appear on new Maplewood Library cards this fall, giving cardholders a choice of designs featuring a fox, a bookcase and a celebration of the community.

The library announced Wednesday that it chose three winners from more than 75 entries in its first Library Card Design Contest. The winning designs came from adult, teen and child categories.

Lindsey Balbierz won the adult category with “Open to All. Big and Small.” Frank Umlauf’s “The Bookcase” won the teen category, while Tommy Sysel’s untitled fox illustration won the child category.

The library held the contest from July 11 through Aug. 9 to mark one year at its new Baker Street location. Maplewood residents could submit one original design showing community spirit and the library’s role in connecting people with information, ideas, culture and one another.

“More than 75 Maplewood residents took the time to create something that reflects what the library means to them,” library director Sarah Lester said. “These designs give us a wonderful way to celebrate our community while welcoming new and existing patrons to the library.”

The Maplewood Arts Council judged the submissions without entrants’ names attached. All valid entries are scheduled for display during the library’s November and December art and music exhibition.

Lindsey Balbierz said Maplewood Library has grown alongside her family’s needs and helped her make new friends. Her design, “Open to All. Big and Small,” depicts community members and the nature around town.

Frank Umlauf said he was honored to win and enjoyed bringing his interests in art and reading together for his design.

"This is the Maplewood fox reading under a maple tree," said Tommy Sysel.

The winning designs will be available this fall at the Main Library and Hilton Branch for new cardholders and people replacing an existing card. The library said it will announce availability details soon. Each patron may choose one design while supplies last.

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