Belleville Public Library launches exciting new library cards

The Belleville Public Library now offers visitors a choice of which library card they would like to sign up with. Photos by Tara Henley, QNet News.

By Tara Henley

BELLEVILLE – The Belleville Public Library launched its new, colourful library cards Thursday morning at a launch party.

The new cards come in two different designs, one that is targeted at children and one that is aimed at adults. The children’s card features the popular Canadian children’s literature character Scaredy Squirrel. The Scaredy Squirrel books are written and illustrated by Mélanie Watt and are published by Kids Can Press. Both gave permission to the Belleville Public Library to use Scaredy as a mascot for free.

Bridgett Crowley, a mother and daycare worker who attended the launch with her children, said she believes these cards are a good move on the library’s part.

“Anything that gets kids interested in reading,” she said. “My kids love the Scaredy Squirrel books. They’re really excited about this.”

The other card design features a photograph taken of the Belleville Public Library by David and Beth Lumbers.

“We’re thrilled that (our photo) is being used for this,” said David Lumbers at the launch.

His wife, Beth, added: “It’s going to be hard for our daughter – she’s nine – to choose which card she wants. She loves Scaredy Squirrel, but she also wants to pick her mom and dad’s photo.”

Belleville Public Library CEO Trevor Pross said it made decision to change the library card because it was the same as the card from the Quinte West Library. Pross also said the new card design was long overdue.

The old library cards were lacking in colour and aesthetics, said Belleville Public Library CEO Trevor Pross. Photo by Tara Henley, QNet News.

“The old card was white and plain and very ordinary,” he said. “It didn’t stand out at all. With these new designs however, we’re hoping people will start using their card more, partly because now it’s more attractive to look at.”

Beth Lumber said she also believes the new design will increase card usage.

“(The card) stands out in your wallet now. You are more likely to remember you have it,” she said.

The new cards also feature a magnetic strip that can be used as a copy and print card for paying for photocopying or for printing from the library’s public computers. The Belleville Public Library is offering a free exchange of old library cards for new ones over the next 12 months, but they are still asking for visitors to make a small donation of three dollars to cover the printing expenses.