The Wilbraham Public Library.
Reminder Publishing file photo
WILBRAHAM — The Wilbraham Public Library is calling for Wilbraham artists, high school age and above, to participate in a contest to help give their logo a fresh, new look and to help begin a new chapter at the library.
Sponsored by Wilbraham Friends of the Library, the contest has a few requirements — the logo must include one or more “adorable animals reading a book,” it must be an original artwork, include the words “Wilbraham Public Library” and no generative AI can be used.
The winning logo will be used on library promotional materials and the artist will receive a $250 prize.
Artwork can be submitted from now until 5 p.m. on April 15 at the library service desk, located at 25 Crane Park Drive. It asks for submissions to be scannable on an 8- by 11-inch paper. The winner will be unveiled at the library’s volunteer breakfast on April 25 from 10 a.m. to noon.
Library Director Melissa Harter said when she started at the library six months ago, she noticed the current logo might need to be freshened up to promote library services and events for the community. She said the residents should be included because the library is for them.
“It’s not our library, my library, anything like that,” Harter said.”It’s the people’s place, and I believe they will be more interested, invested, in understanding what we have to offer if they participate … It’s open for everybody, we serve everybody. We want to make it attractive, welcoming and warm.”
Harter said anything that involves the people who fund their services and anything people can participate in, is of value and that it’s a community way of thinking, adding that she’s positive there are really talented artists in Wilbraham and this gives them the chance to use their skills.
A big goal for this contest is to attract more people into the library not only as a place to share in literacy, but to promote togetherness. To Harter, the library is a community center and the new logo is a fresh start.
“It’s a brand new beginning for this new generation of young librarians that we have here,” Harter said. “We have such a talented staff and they’ve got so much to give to the community.”
She also gave kudos to the Friends of the Library and said they’re the reason the library has the programming available.
“They’re just an amazing organization that are, every single day, working for our benefit,” Harter said. “All of the funding they give us goes towards our programming.”
