April 2007

Friends of the UCSC Library
Book Collection Contest Awards Ceremony
April 26, 2007

Click here for photos of the contest winners.


The Friends of the UCSC Library have been sponsoring the University Book Collection Contest since 1967. Each book collection focuses on a well-defined subject, or on an author, illustrator, printer, or book designer. Students submit essays, which detail the unity of the collection and describe its history and scope, significance to them, and titles of particular importance. The student essays are judged by a three-member panel including a university faculty member, a librarian, and a Friends of the Library board member.

In 1994, thanks to a generous endowment from Ethel Hammond Curtis, the Friends expanded the Book Collection Contest to include local high schools in Santa Cruz County. The contest challenges local students to compile an imaginary book collection that exemplifies their passion about a subject or activity. The students do not need to own any of the items in the collection, but their collection must consist of at least ten items, five of which must be books. Students are challenged to write an engaging essay describing why their chosen titles belong in their book collection. Prizes are awarded in Junior/Senior and Freshman/Sophomore categories with honorable mentions for special achievement. Winners receive cash awards as well as bookstore gift certificates for their school libraries.

VIEW RULES by clicking on the appropriate link:
High School Students
UCSC Undergraduate Students

The Friends thank our generous sponsors: Bookshop Santa Cruz, Logos Books & Records, BayTree Book Store, The Literary Guillotine, Bookworks, Capitola Book Café, Westside Stories, and Herland Women's Book-Cafe.