Sonoma County Library to Release New Library Cards

Sonoma County Library will release two new library cards on September 1 in celebration of Library Card Sign-Up Month, an annual invitation to get a free a library card and explore all the library has to offer.

The first library card, created by Charles M. Schulz Creative Associates, features beloved Peanuts characters Franklin, Charlie Brown, Lucy and Snoopy and shares the message, “Libraries Are for Everyone.” An alternative version has the identical message in Spanish: “Las bibliotecas son para todos.”

“Charles Schulz was a lifelong reader, and his love of books and all forms of literature fed his creative genius,” said Chris Bracco, Senior Vice President Creative Director at Charles M. Schulz Creative Associates. “We are proud to collaborate with the Sonoma County Library on this new library card. We hope that the new card will inspire readers of all ages to embrace the wonderful opportunities available to them at any Sonoma County library.”

The second library card features the artwork of local second grader Caleb T, winner of a summer library card art contest. More than 200 local students submitted a proposed library card drawing based on the question, “What does Sonoma County Library mean to you?” Library staff voted for their favorites and Caleb T’s “Everyone’s Invited/Todos están invitados” design was selected as the contest winner. Honorable Mention awards were presented to Hana Leah D, Ubaydatullah H, and Dalila S.

Sonoma County Library Director Erika Thibault called the two new library cards “exciting, fun options” for potential new cardholders and those with a current card who might want to switch card designs. “We feel everyone should have a Sonoma County Library card, and here are great new options to choose from,” Thibault said.

The library will host a launch party for the new cards at Central Santa Rosa Library on Sunday, September 8, from 2 to 4 p.m. Note: the launch party is sold out, but cards are available at all branches on September 1.

The two new cards, launch party and prizes are part of an annual Library Card Sign-Up Month celebration throughout September. New cardholders can win a private tour of the Charles M. Schulz Museum and skate passes to Snoopy’s Home Ice arena or an Oliver’s Market gift card.

Library cards are free, and there is no age limit to receive a card. (Children do need a parent or guardian’s signature to receive their own card.) A cardholder must simply apply in-person and have a valid photo ID. Cardholders can check out up to 100 library materials at a time, request items from another library, enjoy eBooks and eAudiobooks, use library computers and printers, attend library events and more. View all of the library’s card options here: sonomalibrary.org/LibraryCards

Sonoma County Library has more than 600,000 physical items at its 14 libraries, three special collections, and a mobile library van. During its most recent fiscal year (2023-2024), more than 1.4 million people visited a library branch, and total book and online circulation reached 4.4 million.

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For media inquiries, please contact Sonoma County Library Communications Manager Ray Holley at rholley@sonomalibrary.org or 707-755-2014.