Applications for Booth Library’s Awards for Excellence in Student Research and Creativity are due by noon on Friday.

Beth Heldebrandt, the public relations director for Booth Library, said any undergraduate or graduate student in any major could submit their research paper, project, art project, presentation or poster. 

She said the only “catch,” however, is that students had to use Booth Library resources to conduct the research for whatever project they did.

According to a press release, the student entry may be a written work, art piece, exhibit, musical work, documentary, performance or another format, and it has to have been completed in the last 12 months.

The student also has to write up a short narrative detailing how they used Booth Library to help with their research, Heldebrandt said.

The projects also did not have to be submitted as a class assignment, Heldebrandt said.

The Library Advisory Board, which is made up of faculty, staff and two students, sponsors the award program and will be judging the entries.

The reason behind the awards, Heldebrandt said, is to show students that they can use the many resources that the library has.

She said this is not a way to compete with other campus awards either, and undergraduate students and graduate students are judged separately.

She said so far there are 21 submissions, and she hopes that more people consider applying.

Heldebrandt said students just never know what might happen and should submit an application regardless.

She said there have been students who were “totally shocked” when their names were called up to accept an award.

Recipients will be selected by April 5, and the winners will be honored during a reception on April 17.

Entries will be judged based on excellence, creativity and the research portion, Heldebrandt said.

According to the press release, if campus finances allow, cash prizes of up to $300 will be awarded, in addition to certificates of recognition.

Winners’ work will also be added to the Booth Library’s Student Research and Creativity Collection on The Keep.

For a full list of the 2019 guidelines, visit library.eiu.edu/awardsforexcellence/.

All entries must be submitted electronically. Students can find the application on eiu.academicworks.com after searching for “Booth Library.”

Analicia Haynes can be reached at 581-2812 or achaynes@eiu.edu.