(November 2, 2026) – November is Native American Heritage Month, and Jackson County Library Services is celebrating with the release of a new library card for patrons.
The card’s design is a rich landscape with a purple mountain range at the center. The cards will be ready for patrons on November 2, as well as stickers and bookmarks anchored with the same image.
Zion LaMarr is an indigenous artist and illustrator of Paiute, Pit River, and Modoc descent and an enrolled member of the Susanville Indian Rancheria. His scenic vista draws inspiration from his home in Northern California and from his grandmother, the late Jean LaMarr, a printmaker and muralist whose work inspired him from an early age. The image’s purple mountain range is a nod to Jean LaMarr’s fondness for the color, an affinity Zion shares.
He says art displayed in public spaces such as libraries is an intrigue and can be an inspiration for budding creators.
“Having opportunities for artists and anybody who wants to make something and [being able to] share it is important,” Zion says. “It helps build up confidence, it makes you proud of your work, [and] it makes other people know what you’re doing and see that they can do it, too.”
He adds that libraries are crucial to prop up communities.
“Specifically bringing youth and kids into libraries so they can learn about the world around them and be introduced to academia, introduced to history, language, [and] stories,” Zion says. “Stuff that they just haven’t met before.”
Zion’s story and a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of the library card image will be detailed in the JCLS documentary short, “Purple Dreams,” which will also debut November 2 on the JCLS Beyond YouTube channel. You can view it here.
Zion continues his Art studies at Southern Oregon University, where he is also working toward a minor in Native American Studies. While illustration is his primary focus, he also enjoys working across a variety of mediums, including painting, beadwork, sewing, and mixed media. Through his art, Zion hopes to celebrate Indigenous stories, identities, and the connections between people, culture, and place.
We are honored to share some of his work with JCLS patrons. For more about signing up for a library card, visit https://jcls.org/about/library-cards/.