HIGH SCHOOL

BOOK COLLECTION ESSAY CONTEST
Spring 2010

 
Santa Cruz County high school students are invited to participate in the 15th
Annual High School Book Collection Essay Contest sponsored by the Friends of
the UCSC Library. 
 
Imagine a collection of books you would like to own on a subject you care
about. Then write an essay of up to 1,000 words describing your dream
collection and explaining why your chosen topic is important to you, and
compile an annotated bibliography telling why each item belongs in your
collection.
 
This is a virtual collection; you don’t need to own any of the items on your
list.
 
The topic of your collection is up to you—a sport you love, your favorite kind of
music, art, or film, an important person in your life, an interest in a different
place or time, or a social or political injustice you want to right. 
 
The annotated bibliography should include ten items; five must be books and
the remaining five may be books, films, videos, music, or articles from
newspapers or magazines. Choose items that illustrate your topic and enhance
the scope of your collection.
 
Timeline
 
April 2, 2010  Deadline for entries. Essays must be received via email to
lettie@ucsc.edu by 5 p.m. 
 
April 23, 2010 Winners and their teachers notified via email.
 
April 29, 2010  Winners of High School and UCSC students Book Collection
Essay contests honored at Awards Ceremony, UCSC McHenry
Library, 5:00 p.m. Please try to be present to accept your
award.
 

Awards
 
First, second, and third place prizes will be awarded in freshman, sophomore,
and junior/senior categories.
 
First Prize: 
$150 for student; $150 bookstore gift certificate for school
 
Second Prize: 
$100 for student; $100 bookstore gift certificate for school
 
Third Prize: 
$50 for student; $50 bookstore gift certificate for school
 
At the discretion of the judges, additional prizes may be awarded to recognize
unique circumstances or special achievement.
 
Rules
 
1. The contest is open to all students who attend a high school within Santa
Cruz County. The essay can be part of a class assignment or
independently submitted.

2. Entries will be judged on the following criteria: 
a. The originality, enthusiasm, and persuasiveness of the essay in
conveying the value of the topic and collection to the student.  
b. Technical excellence of the essay and bibliography including
proper grammar, usage, punctuation, and spelling; engaging and
readable style; consistent and clear bibliographic citation style.

3. Each essay should include a title page with student’s name, address,
email address (if available), telephone number, class, school name,
teacher’s name and teacher’s email address.  Each essay should be up to
1,000 words, neatly typed, and double-spaced. The title and page
number should appear on each page.  
 
 
For further information, contact the Friends of the UCSC Library at 831-459-
4211, or lettie@ucsc.edu, or go to The Friends of UCSC webpage.  
 
Previous award-winning essays are available at McHenry Library.  
 
We look forward to receiving your entry!