Imagine a time when borrowing a library book involved more than just a digital scan—a time when your name was carefully penned onto a small, lined card, and a librarian stamped it with a due date. These humble checkout cards, now relics of a bygone era, have been transformed into captivating works of art by Kansas City illustrator Heidi Pitre. But here’s where it gets fascinating: she only gets one chance to get it right.
Published on February 13, 2026, at 4:00 AM CST, this story takes us back to a simpler time. Decades ago, library checkout cards were a staple of the borrowing process. Measuring just 3 by 5 inches, these cards were tucked into pockets glued inside book covers, bearing the names of readers and the titles of cherished books. Today, in the age of digital technology, these cards have become obsolete—a foreign concept to younger generations.
‘For many, especially those under 30, these cards are like artifacts from another world,’ says Pitre, whose website (https://heidipitre.com/) showcases her unique creations. ‘They spark conversations about how things used to be, and that’s part of their charm.’
Sixty-six of Pitre’s intricate pen-and-ink illustrations, inspired by classic books and their authors, are now on display in an exhibition titled Permanent Record at the Kansas City Public Library’s downtown location. This collection is a testament to the enduring connection between art, literature, and nostalgia.
Pitre’s journey with these cards began during a 2015 art residency in Navasota, Texas. As an avid reader, she naturally gravitated toward the local library. ‘I walked in with my list of books, and while the library had a modern computer system, the old checkout cards were still tucked inside the books,’ she recalls. ‘I asked the librarian if I could have them, and he graciously agreed.’
With the library’s permission, Pitre began collecting cards from classic titles and other books that resonated with her. Many of these cards featured typewritten author names, book titles, and the elegant cursive signatures of library patrons. For weeks, the cards sat on her desk as she pondered how to transform them into art. Then, inspiration struck.
‘I decided to illustrate something from each book—a symbol, a reference to the author, or a playful twist on the title,’ she explains. Her first card, for The Hotel New Hampshire, featured a whimsical sketch of a bear balancing on a motorbike. Since then, she’s created approximately 160 illustrations on these vintage cards, collecting more as she exhibits her work in galleries and libraries nationwide. Fans have even mailed her new additions to her collection.
One standout piece is her card for The Art of Badminton (https://heidipitre.com/library-cards/?_gallery=gg-3-872), a popular checkout in the 1930s. Pitre included a nod to Kansas City by adding a giant shuttlecock in the bottom right corner, reminiscent of the iconic sculptures on the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art’s lawn.
Another notable card is for Jack London’s 1904 novel, The Sea Wolf (https://heidipitre.com/library-cards/?_gallery=gg-3-795). Last checked out in 2005, this card now features a seal-hunting schooner gliding across calm, blue waters. ‘I wanted to choose books that people could relate to, books that hold a special place in their hearts,’ Pitre says. ‘After all, books are deeply personal, aren’t they?’
Pitre’s artistic career began as a painter, creating large-scale 6-by-6-foot paintings and murals. The checkout cards, by contrast, are the smallest format she’s ever worked with. ‘And it’s not just the size that’s challenging,’ she notes. ‘These cards are irreplaceable. I get one shot—one chance to get it right. I’ve only messed up two in ten years, but I have to be incredibly careful.’
As her audience continues to grow, Pitre’s supply of cards is dwindling, as libraries increasingly shred or discard them. ‘I can’t just go find another copy of 1984 and start over,’ she says. ‘There’s no starting over.’
Permanent Record (https://kclibrary.org/exhibitions/permanent-record) is on display from Saturday, February 14, to Sunday, April 19, at the Mountain Gallery in the Kansas City Public Library’s Central Library, located at 14 W. 10th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64105. For more information, visit KCLibrary.org (https://kclibrary.org/exhibitions/permanent-record).
But here’s the controversial part: As we embrace digital convenience, are we losing something irreplaceable? Do these cards represent a connection to the past that’s worth preserving, or are they simply relics of a bygone era? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
