MESA — Mesa’s most famous rock band is lending its name to a library card.
Mesa Public Library announced Monday that it has teamed up with Jimmy Eat World on a limited-edition library card celebrating two milestones: the library’s 120th anniversary and the 25th anniversary of the band’s breakthrough album, “Bleed American,” according to the city’s Mesa Now news service and AZFamily.
A card that looks like a ticket stub
The card is designed to resemble a vintage concert ticket, with nods to both the library and the band. It will be available at every Mesa Public Library location beginning Saturday, Oct. 10.
Current cardholders can swap their old card for the Jimmy Eat World design for free. New members can sign up at any branch with a photo ID. Cards are free to anyone who lives in Maricopa County for at least 30 consecutive days a year, or who works, owns property or attends school in the county, the city said.
Hometown roots
All four members of Jimmy Eat World grew up in Mesa and attended Mountain View and Westwood high schools before forming the band in 1993, according to the city. The group is currently touring behind the “Bleed American” anniversary.
In a statement, the band said its members “all grew up within a mile or so of the library in downtown Mesa,” recalling childhood visits with family and classmates to check out favorite books. “We believe so strongly in supporting ALL public libraries, but in particular Mesa Public Library because of all it has and continues to provide the community,” the band said.
Library Director Polly Bonnett said the anniversary is about more than the library itself. “We believe that stories and music have the power to transform lives and are thrilled for the opportunity to collaborate with Jimmy Eat World on this very special limited edition library card,” she said in the city’s announcement, calling it a chance to celebrate the band’s Mesa roots and its impact around the world.
Birthday party Saturday
The library will mark its 120th anniversary with a celebration at the Main Library, 64 E. First St., from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Oct. 10, the same day the card debuts.
Mesa has four full-service branches where the card will be offered:
- Main Library, 64 E. First St.
- Dobson Ranch Library, 2425 S. Dobson Road
- Gateway Library, 5036 S. Eastmark Parkway
- Red Mountain Library, 635 N. Power Road
The newest of those, Gateway Library, opened earlier this year and recently won the 2026 IFLA/James Bennett Public Library of the Year Award, AZFamily reported.
Why it resonates
“Bleed American,” released in 2001, carried the hit “The Middle” and turned the East Valley band into an international act. A quarter-century later, the band’s connection to downtown Mesa is now something residents can carry in their wallets. The card is a limited edition, and more information is available at mesalibrary.org.
Photo: Catsup31 via Wikimedia Commons (CC0 public domain dedication). File photo of Jimmy Eat World performing at MVP Arena in Albany, New York, March 2024.
Sources: Mesa Now (City of Mesa); AZFamily.
This article was produced with AI assistance and is based on reporting from Mesa Now (City of Mesa) and AZFamily.