Library Reminds Patrons It's Almost Time to 'Explore the World' at Logo Launch Party

It won't be long now until the North Canton Public Library lets patrons in on its big secret.

The library plans to unveil a new brand identity — mainly a new logo and tagline — that's been months in the making at a launch party this weekend.

All community members are invited to the party, which is free and takes from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.

Getting a new logo and tagline for the library was a huge undertaking, said Christina Weyrick-Cooper, community relations manager for the North Canton Public Library. She worked alongside local graphic designer Joe Rozsa to bring about the changes.

"I don't think either of us realized how big the project would be," Weyrick-Cooper said. "There is no branding at the library, and the current logo doesn't represent what we do at all. And the new logo is kind of fun and it far better exemplifies what we are and what we're doing."

Weyrick-Cooper said the new tagline and logo will be seen throughout the library starting this year.

"We're redoing every flier, every bookmark, every brochure — everything" she said. "It's a really big project, but it's really exciting."

North Canton Patch talked to Rozsa about the new logo in October 2012. Then, he said the new logo and motto would have a "worldly" theme. Since then, the community has learned through Weyrick-Coopers blog posts on Patch that the motto would be "Explore the World."

"I always try to think of a tagline that will go along with (the design)," Rozsa has said. "(The logo) came after I decided to call the library card a passport."

The passport, or "guidebooks," will be distributed at this weekend's launch party. Here's how they work, according to Weyrick-Cooper's latest blog post: 

Two different “guidebooks” will be offered, one for children and one for adults and teens. The goal is for patrons to complete a task or activity each month in order to receive that month’s stamp in their book, validating special incentives inside. The “guidebooks” will feature incentives from the following local organizations and businesses (exploration partners):  Ermanno’s Pizza, North Canton YMCA, Canton Palace Theatre, MAPS Air Museum, Hometown Chocolates, the Akron Zoo and the Foundation for Community Betterment.

The tagline will also be threaded through the year's programming. Each month (April-December), the library will host programming that exemplifies its "Explore the World" theme. For instance, it will host cooking classes in April, end with arts and crafts in December, and explore chocolate, history, animals, community and more in the months between.

More about this weekend's party: The library also will bring in Akron Zoo animals to the library from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. Plus, The Friends of the Library will give tours, so patrons will get to see where books come in and are sorted, what the administrative offices look like and other things patrons typically aren't privy to.

What's more? Party-goers will be treated to pizza from Ermanno's Legendary Pizza, sweets from Hometown Chocolates and prize giveaways.

Want to learn more about Saturday's party? Just click here.