# Hello Kitty and Friends library card rolls out in LA County, limited edition cards and themed programs launches
*LA County Library and Sanrio debut a first-ever collaboration, offering a limited-edition Hello Kitty® and Friends card and month-long activities at all 87 branches.*

**Section:** Community
**Tags:** Community, Government-pr, Hello-kitty-library-card, Library-card-signup-month, Sanrio-collaboration
**Reading time:** 3 min

Beginning Sep 18 and running through Oct 18, LA County Library and Sanrio® are celebrating Library Card Sign-up Month with the system’s first partnership with the iconic Hello Kitty® brand, unveiling a limited-edition Hello Kitty® and Friends library card, co-branded bookmarks, stickers, and a slate of themed programs for patrons of every age. The initiative, announced in a press release by the County of Los Angeles, is designed to highlight storytelling, friendship, creativity and imagination while encouraging residents to sign up for a library card and explore the system’s extensive resources.

The collaboration, described as Sanrio’s “first-of-its-kind” library partnership, invites Angelenos to visit any of the 87 LA County Library locations to pick up the exclusive card while supplies last, with a $1 replacement fee for existing cardholders during the promotion. Library officials stress that the card is a “key to a lifetime of learning, inspiration, creativity, and connection,” and that the Hello Kitty® and Friends theme will be woven into activities ranging from early-learner art projects to adult journaling socials.

## HOW TO GET THE CARD · How to get the limited-edition Hello Kitty® and Friends card

The limited-edition card becomes available on Friday, Sep 18, 2026 at any LA County Library branch; it is distributed on a first-come, first-served basis and cannot be reserved, with a limit of one card per account user while supplies last [https://lacountylibrary.org/hellokittyandfriends/](https://lacountylibrary.org/hellokittyandfriends/). New patrons must complete a library-card application and present a valid photo ID, while existing patrons may swap their current card for the special design by paying a $1 replacement fee during the month-long promotion [https://lacounty.gov/2026/09/16/la-county-library-launches-summer-programs-for-all-ages-2/](https://lacounty.gov/2026/09/16/la-county-library-launches-summer-programs-for-all-ages-2/).

The County’s library-card policy accepts a single form of identification such as a California driver’s license, California ID, or a consular ID, and also permits a combination of two documents (for example, a utility bill plus a photo ID) to verify address [https://lacountylibrary.org/library-cards/](https://lacountylibrary.org/library-cards/). Parents or legal guardians are encouraged to bring children when signing up, as children are eligible for the limited-edition card provided a parent or guardian signs the application and accompanies the minor to the branch.

Because the cards are limited in quantity, library staff advise patrons to arrive early and be prepared for a brief wait. The $1 replacement fee applies only during the Sep 18-Oct 18 window; after that, standard replacement costs of $3 resume. Cardholders who receive the special design will have a new card number and must update that number in the Library app and digital platforms such as Libby and Kanopy.

## At a Glance

- **CARD AVAILABILITY:** Sep 18 – Oct 18, 2026, first-come, first-served
- **REPLACEMENT FEE:** $1 during promotion (standard $3 after)
- **CARD LIMIT:** One per account user, cannot be reserved
- **PROGRAM DATES:** Sep 18 – Oct 18, 2026
- **LIBRARY COUNT:** 87 branches across 3,000 sq mi
- **ID REQUIREMENTS:** One valid photo ID or two documents (e.g., utility bill + ID)

## THEMED-PROGRAMMING · Hello Kitty®-themed programming for all ages

From Sep 18 through Oct 18, each branch will host self-guided activities and displays, including character scavenger hunts, coloring sheets, and curated reading lists featuring Hello Kitty® and Friends titles. These free resources are designed to spark curiosity and encourage visitors to explore the library’s broader collections [https://lacounty.gov/2026/09/16/la-county-library-launches-summer-programs-for-all-ages-2/](https://lacounty.gov/2026/09/16/la-county-library-launches-summer-programs-for-all-ages-2/).

Early-learner programs focus on friendship-themed stories and hands-on art, with sessions such as “Read Together, Share Together,” Cinnamoroll™’s Pom Pom Cafe, Pochacco™’s Tissue Art, and Keroppi™’s Donut Pond Paper Craft. School-age children and teens can join creative workshops that include friendship-bracelet making, bookmark crafting, character-inspired art, fuse-bead designs, origami and embroidery. Adult patrons are offered character-inspired reading lists, a journaling and craft social where they can personalize journals, planners and scrapbooks, and free distribution of exclusive Hello Kitty® and Friends bookmarks and stickers [https://lacounty.gov/2026/09/16/la-county-library-launches-summer-programs-for-all-ages-2/](https://lacounty.gov/2026/09/16/la-county-library-launches-summer-programs-for-all-ages-2/).

All activities are free, open to the public, and aim to blend the beloved Sanrio characters with the library’s mission of lifelong learning. Participants are encouraged to share their experiences on social media by tagging @LACountyLibrary and @Sanrio and using #HelloKittyAndFriends, helping to amplify community engagement and showcase the library’s role as a cultural hub.

## Curator's Note

The Hello Kitty® partnership turns a routine library-card sign-up into a citywide pop-culture event, drawing families who might not otherwise visit a branch. By coupling a beloved brand with free literacy-focused programming, LA County Library taps into the region’s diverse fan base, boosting card registrations and reinforcing the library’s role as an inclusive community hub during Library Card Sign-up Month.

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Curated by VIBES News Desk · Published 2026-09-19
Source: https://www.curationsla.com/vibes/2026-09-18-hello-kitty-and-friends-library-card-rolls-out

Cite as: CurationsLA, "Hello Kitty and Friends library card rolls out in LA County, limited edition cards and themed programs launches", https://www.curationsla.com/vibes/2026-09-18-hello-kitty-and-friends-library-card-rolls-out (published 2026-09-19).
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