Frequently Asked Questions

What is a collection?

A collection consists of items that a student has come to own as a consequence of developing a particular interest, which may be academic or not. A collection should reflect a clearly defined unifying theme or interest. How well a collection reflects the collector's intent is more significant than either the number of items or the monetary value of the collection.

Do all the items in my collection need to be books in order for me to submit an essay?

No. Your collection may include other printed material such as graphic novels, magazines, zines, pamphlets, and ephemera. These items must be items that you own and can produce for display and must tie into the overall theme of your collection.

How many items are in a collection?

For the purposes of this contest, we request 10-20 items be included in your collection. You will not be evaluated on the quantity but rather the originality and thoughtfulness in your collecting.

Do you require an annotated bibliography for submission?

No. Your bibliography does not need to be annotated. We request a list of items in your collection that includes information such as author, title, publisher etc.

What citation style should be used?

We do not have a preference as long as it is used consistently throughout your essay. Feel free to use whatever feels most comfortable to you. This guide may be a helpful resource.

Do you have to have expensive items in your collection to be considered for this contest?

No. It is not necessary to have rare or expensive items to be considered.