UCSD LIBRARIES INVITE SUBMISSIONS FOR SAN DIEGO BOOKSELLERS ASSOCIATION/FRIENDS OF THE UCSD LIBRARIES BOOK COLLECTION COMPETITION

The UCSD Libraries invite students currently enrolled at UCSD to participate in the sixth annual SDBA/FOL Book Collection Competition. The competition is sponsored by the San Diego Booksellers Association and the Friends of the UCSD Libraries with the goals of encouraging UCSD students to collect books, to build their own libraries, to appreciate the qualities of the printed word, and to read for pleasure. Prizes will be awarded in separate categories for undergraduates and graduate students. Monetary prizes in the amount of $500, $300, and $200 will be awarded to the top three entries in each competition.

Book collections must include at least 25 items, and must be owned by the student submitting the collection. The collection may feature a specific author or subject, contemporary or historical. They may be built around an illustrator or a physical aspect of the book, such as fine binding or significantly autographed editions. Paperbacks and ephemera that enhance the collection are encouraged. Modern textbooks should not be submitted.

Each contestant must prepare and submit the following:
    - a brief essay of 750-1000 words about the collection. The essay must describe the nature and character of the collection, how and why it was assembled, when it was begun, and the future direction(s) it may take.
    - a bibliography of the items in the collection, citing author, title, publisher, place and date of publication. The importance of individual pieces should be noted, as well as any unusual attributes. A desiderata list may also be included with the submission.

Past winners have included such diverse topics as African explorers, baseball, mountaineering, Edward Gorey, whales and dolphins, and the Edwardians.

After reviewing the essays and lists, the judges will ask finalists to bring their collections to the Mandeville Special Collections Library for final judging. Essays and bibliographies must be submitted by Friday, 18 April 2008. Awards will be made in May.

Essays and bibliographies should be sent to Lynda Claassen, Director of the Mandeville Special Collections Library, 0175-S. Questions about eligibility or process may also be directed to her at 858-534-1272 or lclaassen@ucsd.edu.