The 2007 Bookmark Contest: the Adventure Beyond Information

By Gerri Fegan

Cameras flashed, banners were unfurled, and the audience broke into wild applause. This wasn’t a scene in a movie – it was the award ceremony for the third Annual MSLA Bookmark Contest, and all those smiling faces on the Grand Staircase at the State House were the winning participants. It was an incredible moment for twelve students from all over Massachusetts but what brought them together happened four weeks earlier.

The judging for the third annual MSLA Bookmark Contest took place on February 8^th, 2007 at the Plympton School in Waltham. There were almost 300 entries from across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts from students in grades K-8, and once again local authors and illustrators, as well as members of the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners experienced the joys and agonies of selecting division winners and awards of honorable mention. This was an exceptional year because the awards were going to be presented at the State House as part of MSLA Legislation Day in March, so judges were particularly careful to choose the best bookmark designs in each of four divisions. Our panel consisted of Kathy Lowe, President of MSLA; Stephen Krensky, Mary Newell DePalma, Brian Lies and David Biedrzycki, authors and illustrators; and Em Claire Knowles and Vicky Kaufman, MBLC.

Round one’s judges were full of enthusiasm as they compared all the student artistry that captured the theme of the contest, “Adventures in Information.” Students of all ages used a variety of media and techniques to demonstrate their enthusiasm for school library programs – crayons, watercolors, pastels, glow-in-the-dark paint and collage. There was animated discussion about the choice of colors and the faithfulness to the theme. Slowly, the entries that were not chosen for the second round were gently removed and placed on a separate table. The judges took a break for refreshments and discussed all the news about legislation. Over soft drinks, cookies, and specially-wrapped candy, we discussed the future of school library programs in Massachusetts and the positive steps that MSLA is taking toward bringing attention to our legislative efforts. It seemed fitting that we were surrounded by mountains of bookmarks that celebrate all the diverse aspects of school librarianship.

The judges carefully evaluated the next round with care, and finally the winners were chosen: In Division One, grades K-1: winner Giselle Pilette, Fitzgerald School, Waltham (MSLA member Kathleen Finnerty); honorable mentions Emily Jackson, Bancroft School, Andover (MSLA member Nancy Snow); and Leora, South Area Solomon Schechter Day School, Stoughton (MSLA member Carol Fanger Bell). In Division Two, grades 2-3: winner Lindsey Elliott, Great Oak School, Danvers, (MSLA member Lorraine Miller); honorable mentions Francesca Smigliani, Cedar School, Hanover, (MSLA member Susanne McHugh); Taylor O’Brien, Marsh Grammar School, Methuen (MSLA member Ken Hoffman); Maddie Harrington, Lt. Job Lane Elementary, Bedford (MSLA member Linda Coviello); and Claire Glover, Bancroft School, Andover (MSLA member Nancy Snow). In Division Three, grades 4-6: winner Emma Wang, Overlook Middle School, Ashburnham (MSLA member Eileen Barnacoat); honorable mentions Maggie Rubin, Lt. Job Lane Elementary, Bedford (MSLA member Linda Coviello); and Lily Lu, Field School, Weston (MSLA member Lorraine Sousa). In Division Four, grades 7-12: winner Alexandra Seager, Amherst Regional High School, Amherst (MSLA member Leslie Lomasson); Dylan Young, Belchertown High School, Belchertown (MSLA member Marianne O'Brien); and Melanie Dauphinais, Overlook Middle School, Ashburnham (MLSA member Eileen Barnacoat).

Thus it was on a sunny March 8, 2007, these honorees and their families smiled for the cameras, shook the hands of their state representatives, and received commendations from state legislators. The librarians shared their contest experiences and looked forward to the prizes that were donated by vendors who have generously supported MSLA. With certificates, bookmarks, and prizes in hand, they were all together to receive recognition for their bookmarks that will be distributed at schools, conventions, and events. It was difficult to tell who was having a better time: the children, their parents, the librarians, or the officials who admired their artwork. Representative Smizik handed out the framed certificates and reminded parents to keep supporting school library programs, especially in the face of financial cutbacks. Rep. Barbara L’Italien gave a group of guests a tour of the House of Representatives and wisely told students that their libraries held the keys to leadership. For everyone involved in the 2007 Bookmark Contest, it was indeed a day of “adventures in information!”