The Kansas City Public Library began distributing new, redesigned Library cards modeled after the welcome sign outside the Library’s Plaza Branch on Thursday, January 12, 2012. The previous design had been in use since 2004, and Kansas City Public Library Director of Branch and Outreach Services Joel Jones said it was time to give them a new look for both practical and aesthetic reasons. “It was time,” Jones said. “We wanted to give them a fresh, more contemporary look; but we also really wanted to differentiate the cards given to adults from those we give to youth. There are security reasons for that, but more importantly the child is going to know that they are getting a card that was designed for them, that belongs to them.” The new cards will allow Library staff to more easily identify when areas reserved for youth are being used by adults. They will also help prevent adults from checking out materials on youth cards, which can sometimes lead to young Library patrons being assessed late fees and denied use of library services. The Kansas City Public Library issues more than 2,000 new Library cards, and replaces hundreds of lost or damaged cards, in a typical month. The fee to replace a lost or damaged card is 50 cents for youth and $1 for adults, but patrons wishing to upgrade to the new cards will be able to do so at no cost through the end of February. The new Library cards are optional. Existing cards will continue to function for the life of the card. See our post in KC Unbound for more information.