Today's Article

"Jay Z. I've been a fan since the beginning, since 96, and I had to come and see it." 

Chanel Page is one of more than 14,000 new 2patrons who have 3signed up for library cards since July 14th. That's when the new Jay Z 4exhibit 5premiered. 

"Come on, man. Born and raised. Love Jay Z."

6Lyrics from his songs 7adorned the outside of the Art Deco building, and inside the institution, fans can find artwork, music, and 8memorabilia. 

"We thought that in this, the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, it would be the 9ideal year to be doing something 10in honor of Jay Z. And we were just 11fortunate that the people at his company, Roc Nation, were thinking along the same lines". 

But there is a part of the exhibit fans can take home as a 12souvenir, and it's these limited-edition library cards, 13 designs featuring cover art from the artist's solo albums. 

"The cards are now sort of becoming a collector's item. You need to travel around to different branches in order to get all 13. And that's great too because we want people to understand that it's not just at Central Library that we have a lot of stuff." 

"Definitely trying to collect it. You never know what the value will be in a couple of years."

While card signups are free for those living in New York, fans outside the state have been hoping to get their hands on them, too. Complete sets are popping up on eBay for 13upwards of $1,000. 

 "Why not get something out of it as far as 14renewing your library card or getting one for the first time?"

The exhibit and the 15collectibles have 16encouraged nearly 176,000 visitors to Central Library since the debut a month ago. That's more than double the 77,000 visitors that came the entire month of June. 

"We didn't know exactly what to expect, and I think the first few days we were kind of in 17shell shock." 

The library is one of several New York City institutions which is highlighting artists for the 50th anniversary of Hip-Hop.