BPL Accepting Designs For 'Black American Library Card'

BROOKLYN, NY — An idea from Bed-Stuy's local community board will bring new library cards celebrating Black culture to the borough later this year.

The Brooklyn Public Library has officially launched its "Black American Library Card Project," which will use designs from local artists to create limited-edition library cards celebrating Black history and culture in time for Juneteenth celebrations.

The initiative was the brainchild of Community Board 3's Wendy A. Robinson, who is part of the Parks, Arts and Culture Committee, and came up with the proposal as a way to raise awareness of the African American Heritage Center at Macon Library.

"BPL is grateful to Wendy A. Robinson and other Community Board 3 Members for their work developing this idea," the library said.

Artists can submit designs for the library card between Jan. 4 and 31. Finalists may have their works displayed and the selected design will get a $2,000 stipend, library officials said.

This card will eventually be released at Macon's Library African American Heritage Center in the summer and will be available at all library branches in Brooklyn that are issuing library cards.

It will be the first in a series of future ‘Celebrating Heritage’ library cards, officials said.

Find out more and learn how to submit artwork here.