L.E. Phillips Public Library held its annual library card crawl on Saturday, Sept. 30. This was the first card holder appreciation event since renovations were finished on the building in 2022.

“Since we’ve remodeled and opened up last fall there’s lots of new and cool new spaces in the library. This is just another chance for people to explore them and see the things that they haven’t seen yet,” Mike Paulus, library marketing specialist and event organizer, said.

The event featured free Culver’s custard, an opportunity to sign up for a library card, origami and a card crawl scavenger hunt, where card-holders could show their library card at different stations hidden throughout the library in exchange for prizes.

The card crawl was a new addition this year to increase the scale of the event.

“We have always had a card holder appreciation day,” Paulus said. “We decided since we were in this big new building, (we would) turn it into something a lot bigger. That’s how we came up with the card crawl concept.”

One of the card crawl station volunteers was Joshua Miller, Library Board of Trustees and City Council member.

“I’ve had a lot of really enthusiastic kids come up with their library cards who may have just gotten theirs today,” Miller said. “It’s new for them and it’s their first entry into the bigger world.”

Attendees could also enjoy the sunny Saturday afternoon with some book browsing outside for the bag sale. Tote bags could be purchased and filled with ex-library books. 

The bag sale was held in one of the new outdoor spaces that opened last spring. Paulus said the outdoor space opening event served as a blueprint for the card crawl.  

Library cards were free to all Wisconsin Residents. As a bonus, Eau Claire Transit also accepted library cards in place of bus passes all day. The card allows access to resource checkout, computer stations and staff resources.

“It’s not just books,” Miller said. “There’s a Library of Things with different objects, books, musical instruments, and tools that people can check out.”

The Library of Things is located on the first floor by the main entrance. 

Outside of the event, there were still plenty of people perusing shelves, using the computers and studying in lounges.

“The library is what they call a third space: a place where it’s not your work, it’s not your home and it’s a place you go where you’re not expected to buy anything,” Miller said.

The event not only served as an appreciation of current card holders but also as a push to get more people to sign up.

“Library cards are fantastic and a whole new world opens to you when you get one,” Paulus said. “Having a library card is a powerful thing. We hope we’re getting lots of sign ups today.”

Miller said he appreciated the families walking around, exploring the different events and areas.

“My brother wanted to come for the card crawl for his birthday,” said Lily Swartz, event attendee and card-holder. “Overall the library did a really great job of bringing this, and having a fun activity for Eau Claire.” 

Kleinhans can be reached at [email protected].