Queens Public Library Announces Banned Books Library Card Design Contest Winner
Designed by Queens Resident Sammi Wu, the Special Edition Card Will Be Released in Fall 2025
Queens, NY_Queens Public Library today named Flushing illustrator and undergraduate arts student Sammi Wu the winner of its first-ever Banned Books Library Card Design Contest. The competition invited entrants to vie for a $2,000 cash prize and the chance to have their artwork featured on a special edition library card, which will be released in the fall as part of a Freedom to Read campaign.
Sammi’s design (pictured below) was selected from a pool of more than 1,100 submissions, along with 10 finalists, whose artwork will be showcased at our locations. Their designs are posted here.
QPL launched the contest last October during Banned Books Week to celebrate the freedom to read and show support for the stories, voices, and titles threatened by censorship.
To qualify for the contest, entrants had to be 13 or older, write an artist’s statement, and create original artwork inspired by banned or challenged books or by their own interpretation of what the freedom to read means in Queens. A panel of judges comprised of representatives from QPL and local arts organizations evaluated the submissions.
“The public’s robust response to our contest highlights the importance of celebrating the freedom to read, especially as efforts to restrict expression escalate across the country,” said QPL President and CEO Dennis M. Walcott. “Congratulations to Sammi and all the finalists, whose creative and inspiring designs not only help raise awareness about book bans, but also honor Queens and the many historically marginalized voices that have been challenged over the years.”
Sammi was born and raised in Flushing and is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in illustration at the School of Visual Arts. Her work draws inspiration from her childhood memories and vivid imagination, which is fueled by her love for books and movies.
In her artist's statement, Sammi describes how reading shaped her understanding and appreciation of Queens’ diverse population and enabled her to relate to the borough’s many cultures.
“No matter the reason, banning books would restrict these connections and sense of community, encouraging closed-mindedness in a city that thrives in its diversity,” she said. “In an increasingly polarizing climate, the freedom to read is essential to a kinder and more interconnected world. Taking away the freedom to read is the antithesis of what defines Queens.”
Wu’s thought-provoking visual depicts five young people seated closely together on the 7 train intently reading an oversized book spread across their laps. Several Queens landmarks can be seen in the distance through a window behind the kids, and the Library’s logo appears on the lower right corner of the card opposite the words, “Freedom to Read.”
“It is an honor to be chosen to represent my borough, and I am grateful for the opportunity to share my love for my home, books, and, most importantly, the value of the freedom to read through my art,” said Wu. “I have a deep appreciation for the many libraries in New York, which not only served as my safe haven while growing up but continue to be a refuge for others as well. I want to express my gratitude to Queens Public Library for this win and will use the award to support my studies as an illustrator.”
According to the American Library Association, the number of requests to ban books is among the highest since the organization began compiling the data more than 20 years ago. In 2024, ALA reported 821 attempts to censor library materials and documented challenges to 2,452 unique titles. Most of the targeted titles were by or about people of color and LGBTQ+ individuals.
About Queens Public Library
Queens Public Library is one of the largest and busiest public library systems in the United States, dedicated to serving the most ethnically and culturally diverse area in the country. An independent, non-profit organization founded in 1896, Queens Public Library offers free access to a collection of more than 5 million books and other materials in 50 languages, technology, and digital resources. Each year, the Library hosts tens of thousands of online and in-person educational, cultural, and civic programs and welcomes millions of visitors through its doors. With a presence in nearly every neighborhood across the borough of Queens, the Library consists of 66 locations, including branch libraries, a Central Library, seven adult learning centers, a technology lab at the Queensbridge public housing complex, a community learning center at the Ravenswood public housing complex, and five teen centers. It also has two bookmobiles and two book bicycles.
Contact: Ewa Kern-Jedrychowska, ekern@queenslibrary.org
