Three community-designed library cards are due to become available across Austin in September after more than 10,000 votes were cast in a public art contest.

Austin Public Library announced one winner in each of its children, teen and adult categories as part of events marking the library system’s 100th anniversary.

The public poll received 10,231 votes, according to the library.

Who designed Austin’s new library cards?

The winning entries are:

  • Children aged 0-12: Ishana Jain, with “The Library’s 100th Birthday Party”;
  • Teens aged 13-17: Yaretzi Nicole Cruz Santiago, with “Austin Public Library’s Next Century”; and
  • Adults aged 18 and over: Lyle Lewis, with “Inspiring All to Discover, Learn, and Create”.

The winning designs will be printed on official Austin Public Library cards and made available at library locations in September.

The contest invited residents to help shape a visible part of the library’s centennial year. By separating entries into three age groups, the project gave children and teenagers their own route onto a card that will be carried by readers across the city.

The result also turns a routine item into a small piece of public art. Each selected design reflects the library through a different age group, while the public vote determined which entries would move from the contest into everyday use.

Austin Public Library marks 100 years

The card project forms part of Austin Public Library’s wider centennial program, celebrating a century of service while encouraging residents to take part in the library’s next chapter.

People interested in obtaining one of the new cards should check Austin Public Library’s official website or contact their local branch for availability and any card-registration requirements.

The library’s announcement says the designs will be available at all of its locations. It does not state on the announcement page whether existing cardholders will need to replace a current card or whether any additional conditions apply, so those details should be confirmed with the library.

For families whose children took part in the competition, the September release will also provide a chance to see work by young Austin artists represented alongside the adult-category winner.

The library’s official contest announcement displays the winning designs. Austin Gazette has not reproduced the artwork; each design must be credited to its artist if permission to reproduce it is obtained later.