About the Book Collection Contest
What is the book collection contest?
The Cornell University Library and Library Advisory Council Book Collection Contest is an annual competition for Cornell students interested in books and book collecting.
It is an essay contest where Cornell students are asked to write about their collections and their interest in collecting books and things. Students submit a descriptive essay about their collection and its formation. They also provide a bibliography that lists up to 50 items from their collection and a 10 item wish list of what they would like to add to their collection.
There are two rounds of judging. In the first round, judges read the essays and bibliographies and select three finalists from both the undergraduate and graduate student categories.
The finalists are then asked to bring their collections to Uris Library for the judges to see and evaluate. Prize winners will be announced at our awards reception in Uris Library on Monday, April 14th.
Collections on any subject are welcome. Each collection will be judged on the imagination, ingenuity, taste, and discrimination displayed in its formation. Primary consideration will be given to how well the collection reflects the student’s stated goal in creating the collection, and to how well the written essay articulates the substance and scope of the collection.
Who can enter?
All currently registered Cornell students in Ithaca are invited to enter the Spring 2008 Book Collection Contest. Undergraduate and graduate students will compete in separate competitions, with the three finalists from each group being awarded the following cash awards:
First Prize $1,000
Second Prize $500
Third Prize $250
When is the contest?
Register for the contest now and submit a completed entry by Monday, March 31st at noon.
Why do you sponsor a book collecting contest?
Introduced in 2003, today's Book Collection Contest continues the tradition of the Arthur H. Dean and Mary Marden Dean Book Collection Contest, which was held in Uris Library for undergraduate students from 1966 to 1987. Mr. and Mrs. Dean were private collectors and generous benefactors who supported the Cornell University Library in many ways. With their book contest they sought to "stimulate the love of books among Cornell’s students."
The same is true today. The Library Advisory Council sponsors our book collecting contest so that current Cornell students have the opportunity to express their interest in books and to display their aptitude in assembling book collections.
The Library Advisory Council's efforts to foster and promote a continued interest in books and book collecting is extended to the national level by Fine Books & Collections magazine's Collegiate Book-Collecting Championship. Cornell's success in the the first two years of this competition suggests that we have a thriving book culture here in Ithaca.
Even in our digital age, books still matter.
