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2026 Bookmark Contest

Advertisement for 2026 Bookmark Contest at Manhattan Public Library, theme: Operation Remarkable, License to Read

Bookmark Contest 2026 – Entry Form [PDF, 2.95 MB]

Your mission, should you choose to accept it… is to submit an original design for the Manhattan Public Library’s 2026 Bookmark Contest!

Every year, we celebrate National Library Card Sign-Up Month by showcasing the incredible, classified talent right here in our community. This year, we are calling on you to help us launch Operation Remarkable: License to Read.

NEW INTEL: This year, we have officially expanded our age groups to include Adults!

The Age Categories

There will be one winner chosen from each of the following operative divisions:
Junior Agents: 5-8 years
Recruits: 9-13 years
Specialists: 14-17 years
Elite Operatives: 18+ years

Inside the Vault: The Theme

While you are not required to design around the spy theme, we highly encourage you to give this mission a shot.

Think about it… libraries aren’t just quiet buildings with shelves. They are high-security vaults of unlimited power, classified knowledge, and infinite worlds where access is completely free! Your library card isn’t just a piece of plastic; it’s a master key to locked vaults of information, a VIP credential to explore new universes, and a license to unlock secrets most people walk right past.

Whether your style is a mind-bending cosmic explosion, a sleek digital landscape, or a classic spy thriller aesthetic, show us what it feels like to hold the ultimate tool of discovery in your hands.

Mission Parameters (The Rules)

Before you begin your creative operations, review the official briefing details:

  • Original Intel Only: Artwork must be an original creation and cannot include any copyrighted images.
  • Stay Within the Grid: Artwork must stay within the template provided (2-by-8 inches).
  • Watch the Borders: Avoid placing any fine details or written words near the very edge of the template.
  • Make it Pop: We highly encourage using bold ink, vivid markers, crayons, or colored pencils so your design stands out clearly on the final print. Soft pencil lines will fade in the scanning process.
  • Solo Missions: Limit of one entry per person, please.
  • Property Transfer: Artwork submitted becomes the property of the Manhattan Public Library and will not be returned.
  • Claim Your Prize: Winners must claim prizes no later than December 1, 2026, or the prize will be forfeited.
  • Local Operatives Only: Participants must live in Manhattan, KS, or within our service area, which includes the following counties: Chase, Clay, Dickinson, Geary, Lyon, Marion, Marshall, Morris, Pottawatomie, Riley, Wabaunsee, and Washington.

Agent Notes: How to Submit

Ready your gadgets!

  1. Grab your template: Starting Aug. 31, pick up an official entry form at the Children’s Room, at the display by the Circulation Desk, or download it directly from this page.
  2. Deploy your entry: Bring your entry back to the library and drop it in the secret red box in the Children’s Room or at the display near the Circulation Desk. Drop boxes will be deployed Aug. 31; please do not drop off entries before Aug. 31. Late entries will not be accepted. Last day to turn in entries is Wednesday, September 30, 2026.
  3. Mail-in option: You can also mail your entry to:

Attn: Public Relations
Manhattan Public Library
629 Poyntz Ave.
Manhattan, KS, 66502

Key Dates & Rewards

  • Entries Accepted: August 31 – September 30, 2026
  • Winners Announced: Beginning October 7, 2026
  • The Reward: One agent in each category will win a mystery prize and the ultimate glory of having their bookmark printed professionally and distributed throughout the library and local community!

Are you ready to unlock your creative license? Grab your pens, tablets, or paints, and show us what you’ve got.

This message will not self-destruct, but the deadline is ticking!

by Brea Braun Brea Braun No Comments

Stronger Than the Storm: Supporting Grinnell, KS

What can Manhattan Do to Help?

 

When a powerful EF-3 tornado swept through Grinnell, Kansas, it left behind a trail of devastation—but also inspired an outpouring of support from people near and far. Here at our library, many of you immediately asked: How can we help? In response to the disaster, our library, along with the Manhattan Library Association, has gathered and sent a collection of high-quality children’s and youth books, carefully chosen from donated materials. We want to give a heartfelt thank-you to everyone who contributed, and especially to our dedicated team of book sorters who took on the thoughtful task of picking out books that could provide a sense of comfort, continuity, and joy during such a difficult time. Your time, care, and generosity are what make efforts like this possible.

As recovery efforts continue in Grinnell, the most pressing need is financial support to help rebuild the school, restore community infrastructure, and assist local families through the long recovery process.

The Greater Northwest Kansas Community Foundation has established a disaster relief fund specifically to support Grinnell and surrounding areas. So far, more than $87,000 has been raised—but the need is great, and every contribution helps.

If you’re looking for a way to make a meaningful impact, please consider donating:

 https://gnwkcf.org/stronger-than-the-storm/
Every dollar makes a difference. Whether you have a personal connection to western Kansas or simply believe in the power of community resilience, your support means the world.
Thank you for showing what it means to be
part of a caring, connected library community.
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