Library to hold student video contest

The Stapleton Library is hosting a video contest in celebration of National Library Week in April.

According to Theresa McDevitt, government documents/reference librarian, entering the contest is simple. Students must make a three-minute video about what they like about the library or how they use it, and post it on YouTube. Email the link to mcdevitt@iup.edu and turn in a completed application to the library's Administrative Office.

"[This contest] gives us the opportunity to find out what students like about the library so we can give them more of the same, and for them to inform each other so students can make use of us" McDevitt said.

The deadline to submit entries is Thursday, April 14 at 5 p.m. Students may begin submitting entries at any time. The winner will be announced on Monday, April 18.

The library will award Co-op Bookstore gift certificates of $150 and $50 to the first and second place contestants, respectively, and $25 gift certificates to two honorable mentions.

According to the American Library Association website, "National Library Week is an annual celebration of the contributions of our nation's libraries and librarians. All types of libraries - school, public, academic and special - participate."

This year, the theme of National Library Week is "Create Your Own Story."

To abide by this theme, McDevitt suggests that students "find something people like about the library. Ask people you know why they like it. Find a place you like, such as Java City or your own special secret place in the library, and show us in your video."

The contest will be judged by a panel of graduate and undergraduate students in the Library Student Advisory Committee as well as a few others. According to McDevitt, judging criteria will be based on the entertainment and educational value, technical quality, creativity, and how well the video demonstrates the theme of Create Your Own Story.

This contest started in 2009, and McDevitt plans for it to be repeated next year. There have only been a handful of contestants in the past, but McDevitt hopes more students participate this year.