SPEARFISH To create a logo to reflect the many services it offers and also highlight the community in which it is located, Grace Balloch Memorial Library in Spearfish is accepting submissions from all ages of the public to create a design.

We do not have an official logo, Amber Wilde, library director, said, explaining that various things have been used over the years, such as stylized versions of the library name, Grace Ballochs portrait, the bookplate from the original Grace Balloch collection, etc. None of those were really eye-catching and easily identifiable as the library. Weve talked about doing better about promoting our services, but when we try to put together promotional materials it is hard to really make them stand out and be recognizable as something coming from the library without a consistent image to represent us.

The first-place winner of the logo contest will receive $300, with cash prizes for second and third place, as well, and the deadline is 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 8.

Wilde said that she hopes the contest gets people thinking about what the library means to them and also inspires them to submit an idea.

We hope that encouraging community members to participate will help create a logo thatreally represents us, she said. We dont want something generic. We want it to demonstrate Spearfish values and our importance to the community.

Wilde described that the library collection is more diverse that people realize, from books and movies to a variety of online resources including e-books, music, digital magazines, language learning software, etc. The library also offers services including access to computers and internet, exam proctoring, and assistance with questions on technology, genealogy or history research, and more.

She said that people are often surprised to hear about the online content of the library.

They have been spending money purchasing e-books or songs and dont realize we can offer them for free with their library card, she said. I also think people are surprised by the size and variety in our movie collection. It has grown a lot in recent years and is very heavily used.

We get a lot of technology-related questions, Wilde added. There are a lot of people that just need a little help with their smart phones or the computers. Sometimes these questions relate to using the e-book and other online services the library provides, but other times its just generally learning to operate a device or even figuring out how to fill out an online job application or maneuver through some other type of website that they need to use. We have staff that do this all the time and are happy to help. We even have computer classes coming this fall to help with some of these topics for people that arent comfortable just coming in and asking for one-on-one help.

Many years ago, the library did a contest to design the artwork for the library cards patrons receive, and that U.S. flag image is still in use on the current library cards.

Wilde said that the library staff is hoping to get a lot of contest submissions for the logo contest.

There is so much talent and creativity in our community, she said. Even if you arent a graphic designer, if you have an idea, please submit it.

She added that the library staff are perfectly willing to help with the online submission process. For more details and to submit your entry, visit cityofspearfish.com/library.

The contest really is open to all individuals, whether you are a 5-year-old with a box of crayons or an adult with a graphic design background, Wilde said. The key is going to be finding a way to accurately reflect the librarys importance to Spearfish and keep in mind that we still love books, but we are so much more.

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Spearfish library accepting submissions for logo contest | Local ... - Black Hills Pioneer