Coolest Library Cards From Around The World

Written by Liz Boccolini

I’ve had the same library card since I was a little kid and I love it because it gives me access to my local library system, and by this point it has a lot of sentimental value. But it isn’t very visually appealing, however, there are some incredible library card designs in this world, so we’ve found 25 library cards from around the world that you will have serious envy for!

Hamilton City Libraries, Hamilton, New Zealand
I’m going as a knowledge ninja next Halloween. (Photo: Hamilton City Libraries)

Central Libraries, Jyväskylä, Finland
The geometric designs are so cool!  They remind me of origami, and now I want origami animals as my primary décor. (Photo: Central Libraries)

Laurea Library, Vantaa, Finland
This one is just fun. There’s some land, some sea, and some space. There’s also what looks like a bird challenging a comet to a fight in the top right-hand corner. (Photo: Laurea Library)

Southwark Libraries, London, UK
Borges was an Argentine author who travelled extensively in Europe during his young adulthood. According to his autobiographical notes, Borges’ family had a massive library in their home, and Borges later said, “…if I were asked to name the chief event in my life, I should say my father’s library.” Also, bonus points to any library that gives you a separate little card for your keys! (Photo: The Guardian)

Calgary Public Library, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
These cards from Calgary Public Library have a great range of designs, and I especially like the bold graphics in some of them! (Photo: Calgary Public Library)

New York Public Library, New York, New York, USA
NYPL’s lion logo implies something distinguished and stately. In fact, the main branch of the library, located in the Bryant Park area of New York City, is listed on the US National Register of Historic Places. (Photos: New York Public Library)

Austin Public Library, Austin, Texas, USA
Austin has recently become known as a great place for young people, due to its lively arts and music scene, as well as its delicious food and many festivals. This card captures the modern, upbeat feel of the city. (Photo: Austin Public Library)

Seattle Public Library, Seattle, Washington, USA
These cards from Seattle Public Library feature four of the city’s landmarks: the Central Library on Fourth Avenue, the Space Needle, Mount Rainier, and Pike Place Market. (Photos: Seattle Public Library, bookpatrol.net)

Fullerton Public Library, Fullerton, California, USA
It’s hard to put my finger on exactly what is so appealing about this one, but there’s definitely something.  Maybe it’s the light bulb that is obviously about to burst with ideas. Maybe it’s the worm, who seems to be the light bulb’s lab partner, getting excited about whatever ideas the light bulb has. Maybe it’s both. Whatever it is, I love it. (Photo: Fullerton Public Library)

San Rafael Public Library, San Rafael, California, USA
This card is made out of bamboo instead of plastic! According to the San Rafael Public Library’s website, the card was changed to bamboo “to promote the City of San Rafael’s goals to create a greener environment.” (Photo: Twitter @grovemade)

Hartford Public Library, Hartford, Connecticut, USA
These are like little inspirational quotes you can carry around in your wallet instead of getting them off the Instagram account of someone who does MLM. But seriously, there’s a good variety of sayings here, and the colours are pleasant. (Photo: Tumblr @librarianista-blog)

Edmonton Public Library, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
These are similar to the ones above, but I didn’t like one better than the other, so they both made the list. (Photo: iworkatapubliclibrary.com)

Auckland Council Libraries, Auckland, New Zealand
I think my new favourite animal is the hammerhead shark. Look at that smile! That shark is clearly loving life. That bee is looking a little sinister, but maybe it’s just excited. The bird is clearly in a good mood, and the monster thing seems to be holding the key to knowledge.  Bravo, New Zealand. Bravo. (Photo: EDENZ Colleges)

Moreton Bay Region Libraries, Queensland, Australia
This card features Hairy Maclary and Scarface Claw. Hairy is a dog created by New Zealand author Lynley Dodd and is the protagonist in over 20 Hairy Maclary books. Scarface Claw, as is apparent by his name, is a tough cat who fears very little. He appears in several of the Hairy Maclary books. (Photo: Moreton Bay Region Libraries)

Oakland Public Library, Oakland, California, USA
Oakland Public Library’s card is adorable. It reminds me of The Secret Garden and To Kill a Mockingbird. The fonts are also striking and quite pleasant. (Photo: Oakland Public Library)

Palos Verdes Library District, Rolling Hills Estates, California, USA
Did you notice that the spines of these books make up an Albert Einstein quote? “The only thing that you absolutely have to know is the location of the library.” (Photo: Palos Verdes Library District)

San Jose Public Library, San Jose, California, USA
The shark is reading “Huckleberry Fin”! Get it? (Photo: San Jose Public Library)

San Francisco Public Library, San Francisco, California, USA
All of these colourful designs are quite San Francisco Chic, if you will. The top left design is an awesome shout out to the city’s hippie days. (Photo: San Francisco Unified School District)

Troy Public Library, Troy, Michigan, USA
Who doesn’t love Snoopy? Even if this card is meant for kids (and I haven’t found evidence either way), I still want it. (Photo: Lynn Skye)

Whitby Public Library, Whitby, Ontario, Canada
These varied designs ensure that there is something for everyone here. I love the ode to Canada that is the top left card. (Photo: The Guardian)

Greater Victoria Public Library, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
This looks like the cosiest, most wonderful library in the world, and I can imagine living in an adorable little apartment on top of it (if they’d let me). (Photo: Greater Victoria Public Library)

Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Libraries, London, UK
This looks like a crime scene file and it’s extremely intriguing. According to The Guardian, this one of Kensington and Chelsea Libraries’ 11 different designs to choose from. “This is one of two cards featuring graffiti,” says Guardian contributor Jamie McKittrick, “showing how the borough has sloughed off its hoary image and is now bodaciously down with the kids.” (Photo: The Guardian)

Brooklyn Public Library, New York, New York, USA
“And now,” cried Max, “let the wild rumpus start!” (Photo: actively-reading.squarespace.com)

Tulsa City-County Library, Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA
The font and the colour scheme on this are inviting and playful. Tulsa itself spans four different counties in Oklahoma, and this library system has 24 branches, 13 of which are in Tulsa. (Photo: farm9.staticflickr.com)

DeKalb County Public Library, Decatur, Georgia, USA
This was a limited-edition card from DeKalb County Public Library in Georgia. If you don’t know, Pete the Cat was created by James Dean (not the actor) and appears in over 60 stories, the first being Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes. Here, he’s reading Of Mice and Men. Oh, Pete. (Photo: fundraising-ideas.org)

Any other great library cards you would add? Tell us in the comments below!