As the calendar turns toward 2026, the Josephine Community Library is beginning the year with a visual refresh and a community-focused celebration that highlights both access and engagement. Starting in January, the library system will roll out a newly designed dragon-themed library card, marking a small but symbolic update intended to encourage residents across Josephine County to reconnect with their local libraries.
The new card design will be available beginning in January 2026 for individuals signing up for their first library card, as well as for patrons who need to replace a card that has been lost. Existing library cards will remain fully functional, and current cardholders are not required to switch designs. Instead, the dragon card will exist alongside the standard card, offering an optional update rather than a mandatory change.
To mark the launch, all four branches of the Josephine Community Library will participate in a one-day, in-person celebration on Saturday, January 3. During regular open hours, each location will offer a free limited-edition sticker to patrons who use the library that day, while supplies last. The event spans the system’s branches in Grants Pass, Illinois Valley, Williams, and Wolf Creek, reinforcing the library’s countywide reach.
Library officials describe the updated card design as more than a cosmetic change. It is intended as a welcoming gesture to new readers and a reminder to longtime residents of the services available through the library system. Associate Director Michelle Rosenberger emphasized that a library card remains one of the most accessible tools for lifelong learning, entertainment, and community connection. “If reading is on your 2026 resolution list, a library card is a great first step,” Rosenberger said. “This new design is really just an invitation — come in, get a card, and see what the library has to offer.”
The January 3 sticker giveaway is designed to be simple and inclusive. Community members can receive a sticker by signing up for a new library card, renewing a card that has expired, or checking out a physical item such as a book, DVD, or other material. No purchase is required, and participation is limited only by the available supply of stickers.
While the giveaway is lighthearted, it reflects a broader mission. In recent years, libraries nationwide have expanded far beyond their traditional role as book lenders. Josephine Community Library branches provide access to digital resources, public computers, educational programs, children’s activities, and community meeting spaces. For many residents, particularly in rural areas of the county, the library also serves as a reliable access point for information, technology, and quiet public space.
The dragon-themed card aligns with that evolving role by offering a distinctive local identity tied to imagination and storytelling. Library staff hope the design will resonate with younger patrons and families, while also appealing to adults who see the library as an essential community institution rather than a relic of the past.
Importantly, the library has emphasized that no one is being phased out by the change. Patrons who are satisfied with their current cards can continue using them without interruption, and the new design will simply be another option available moving forward.
For residents of Josephine County, the January 3 event offers a low-pressure opportunity to step inside a branch, check out materials, or update an account as the new year begins. It also serves as a reminder that libraries remain active, evolving spaces that adapt to community needs while maintaining their core purpose.
More information about library hours, programs, and services is available at josephinelibrary.org. Community members can also contact the library by email at info@josephinelibrary.org or by phone at 541-476-0571.