The 2009 Express Yourself Teen Book Mark Contest Winners Announced!

(Vancouver, B.C.) - Vancouver Public Library is pleased to announce the winners of its fourth annual Express Yourself Teen Bookmark Contest. Congratulations to:

• Lydia Robb of Vancouver (age 15) – Best Hand-Drawn Bookmark

• Hyeg Yaghoobian of Vancouver (age 17) – Best Computer-Generated Bookmark

The Express Yourself Bookmark Contest was created as a fun and creative way for teens to connect with their library. This year, in celebration of Vancouver hosting the 2010 Winter Games, contest organizers teamed up with the Library’s One Book, One Vancouver: The Host City Reads program. From September 14 to October 16, young artists 13 to18 years-old were invited to show off their imagination and creative flair by designing a bookmark celebrating the theme of winter reading.

The Library was delighted to receive hundreds of highly imaginative entries, depicting everything from studious snowmen to bibliophile beavers.

“I was really impressed with the artistic quality of this year’s contest entries,” said Teen Librarian Randy Gatley. “We received everything from detailed charcoal drawings to impressionistic watercolours – a real testament to the artistic talents of Vancouver’s teens.”

The winners in two categories – Best Hand-Drawn Bookmark and Best Computer-Generated Bookmark – were selected by the Library’s Teen Advisory Group. Selections were based on creativity and artistic merit as well as how their design reflected the contest theme.

The winning bookmarks will be printed and distributed at all 22 Vancouver Public Library locations across the city.

On Wednesday, December 16 at 4:30 p.m., Library Board Trustee Debra Millward and Friends of the Vancouver Public Library President Patricia Moir will present Lydia and Hyeg with cash prizes of $250 as well as snowboarding outfits generously donated by Westbeach at a special drawing workshop for teens at the Central Library (350 W. Georgia St.). Vancouver teens with an interest in drawing and animation are welcome to attend the workshop and award presentation. Please call 604-331-3663 to register.

The Library would like to thank everyone for making this year’s contest such a success with special thanks to the Host a City Happening Program, the Friends of the Vancouver Public Library and Westbeach snowboarding apparel.

One Book, One Vancouver is presented by Vancouver Public Library in partnership with: the City of Vancouver Host a City Happening Program, the Friends of the Vancouver Public Library, Harbour Publishing, Kids Can Press, Canada Council for the Arts, Westbeach, the Word on the Street Festival and media partners The Vancouver Sun and CTV.

Founded in 1869, the Vancouver Public Library is one of Canada's largest library systems, dedicated to meeting the lifelong learning, reading, recreation and information needs of the people of Vancouver. Each year, the Library’s 22 branches serve over 370,000 visitors and offer over 2.5 million items, including books, CDs, DVDs and magazines, and countless online resources.

- 30 -

For more information, please contact:

 

Jean Kavanagh
Manager, Marketing & Communications
604-331-3895 office / 604-612-4059 cell
jean.kavanagh@vpl.ca