Brooklyn Public Library releases limited-edition Jay-Z library cards
Images courtesy of the Brooklyn Public Library
The Brooklyn Public Library is releasing a limited-edition Jay-Z library card in honor of the 30th anniversary of the Brooklyn-born rapper’s debut album. Starting Thursday, the JAŸ-Z 30 Limited Edition Library Card will be available at BPL branches systemwide on a first-come, first-served basis, while supplies last. Created in collaboration with Roc Nation, the card celebrates the 30th anniversary of “Reasonable Doubt” and comes ahead of the rapper’s three highly anticipated performances at Yankee Stadium next month.
“Over the past three decades, JAŸ-Z’s music has helped shape conversations about New York City, entrepreneurship, creative expression, and contemporary culture,” the BPL said in a press release. “
As audiences gather this summer for his concerts at Yankee Stadium, BPL marks the occasion by recognizing JAŸ-Z’s enduring impact on hip-hop and popular culture.”
The rapper, aka Shawn Corey Carter, recently added the umlaut back over the “Y” in his name, as People reported in March.
Visitors to Bed-Stuy’s Marcy Library will also be able to check out books from JAŸ-Z’s Booklist on a dedicated display shelf featuring titles donated by Roc Nation. The collection includes books that have influenced the rapper throughout his life and career, offering readers insight into the works that helped shape his thinking and creative development.
The collaboration continues a partnership between Jay-Z and the library. In July 2023, the library released “The Book of HOV” library card collection alongside an exhibition of the same name presented by the BPL and Roc Nation at the Central branch.
The series featured 13 limited-edition cards showcasing artwork from Jay-Z’s studio albums, from 1996’s “Reasonable Doubt” to 2017’s “4:44.”
Featuring art, images, ephemera, and memorabilia from the rapper’s archives, the exhibition paid tribute to his life and career while highlighting the ways he helped redefine hip-hop, music, and culture on a global scale, as 6sqft previously reported.
The exhibition drew more than 600,000 visitors during its nearly five-month run, making it one of the most attended public exhibitions in the system’s history. Its final day saw nearly 11,000 visitors, the highest single-day attendance recorded at the Central Library, contributing to a 74 percent increase in attendance at the branch during the exhibition’s run.
It also introduced thousands of new users to BPL’s services. More than 36,000 “The Book of HOV” library card accounts were created, leading to a 66 percent increase in new accounts systemwide and a more than 300 percent increase at the Central Library. Of the original card designs, “The Black Album” was the most requested, followed by “The Blueprint.”
To celebrate the milestone, Jay-Z is performing three historic shows at Yankee Stadium July 10–12. Originally scheduled for just two performances, a third date on July 12—titled “Jay-Z Extra Innings”—was added following high demand.
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