2015 Friends of the Library Short Story Contest Winners

Students from Olean Intermediate Middle School and Hinsdale Central School took top prizes in the 2015 short story contest sponsored by the Friends of the Olean Public Library. Prizes were awarded to students in grades six and seven. The contest was also open to grades eight and nine, but no awards were given in those grades this year.

First prize winners were Rylie Gumtow of Olean, grade six, and Jackson Howell of Hinsdale, grade seven. Rylie told the story of Juliana, who dreams of joining the graceful ice skaters outside the library where she is working, Jackson’s story traces the impact one butterfly can have over history.

Each first prize winner will receive a $25 Barnes and Noble gift card.

Second place winners were Chrissy Martin and Jazlynn Knapp, both Olean, grade six, and Aarika Mattys, Hinsdale, grade seven. They will each receive a gift certificate to Seasons in the Olean Center Mall. Sarah Scott of Hinsdale received an honorable mention in grade seven.

Entries must feature at least two of four items set in the contest rules. The stories may be no longer than 350 words.

This year’s contest drew 55 entries. Rules for the 2016 competition will become available early next year. Teachers or students who are interested in taking part should contact Carole McNall at cmcnall511@gmail.com or via the library at 134 North 2nd Street, Olean.

Friends of the Olean Library 2014 Short Story Contest

1.  Entries must feature, in an imaginative way, AT LEAST TWO of the following four items: the library cat, a librarian, a DVD, a display at the library.  You may use all four, but you do not have to do so.  (This rule is changed from previous years.)

2.  Permissible length is 350 words or less.  Please note: We do reject stories for excessive length or because they do not meet the requirements in number 1.

3.  This contest is open to students enrolled in grades 6 through 9.  Participants are limited to one entry and are expected to do their own work. 

4.  Entries must be typed on 8 1/2 X 11″ paper.  Please choose a font that is easily readable and a font size no smaller than 11 pt.  Students without other access to a computer are welcome to use those at the Olean Public Library. 

5.  Mechanical correctness — spelling, punctuation, and grammar — is an important factor in the judging. 

6.  Entrant’s name, grade, and school must be printed – legibly! – in the lower right corner of each page.  Home-schooled students are welcome, as are students in classes which do not chose to participate as a class.  In both cases, please make sure you include your home address, again legibly printed, on the last page of the story.

7.  All entries must be received at the Olean Public Library by Friday, March 14, 2014.  Whether mailed or delivered in person, envelopes should be addressed to Friends Short Story Contest.  Mailed entries should be sent in care of the Olean Public Library, 134 N. 2nd St., Olean, NY 14760.

8. Winners will be notified through their English teacher of through mail to their homes.  The awards ceremony will be scheduled at the Olean Public Library shortly after the winners are notified.

Thanks for your participation.  And good luck!

2013 Friends of the Olean Library Short Story Contest Guidelines

1.  Entries must feature, in an imaginative way, AT LEAST TWO of the following four items: wi-fi, children (in the library), a local history book, an overdue book. You may use all four, but you don’t have to do so. (This rule is changed from previous years.)

 

2.  Permissible length is 350 words or less.  Please note: We do reject stories for excessive length or because they do not meet the requirements in number 1.

 

3.  This contest is open to students enrolled in grades 6 through 9.  Participants are limited to one entry and are expected to do their own work.

 

4.  Entries must be typed on 8½ x 11 paper.  Please choose a font that is easily readable, like the one you are currently reading (Arial) and a type size no smaller than 11 pt.  Students without other access to a word processor are welcome to use those at the Olean Public Library.

 

5.  Mechanical correctness — spelling, punctuation and grammar — is an important factor in the judging.

 

6.  Entrant’s name, grade, school, AND TEACHER’S NAME must be printed – legibly! – in the lower right corner of each page. Home-schooled students are welcome; use the name of the person doing most of the teaching as your teacher’s name.

 

7.  All entries must be received at the Olean Public Library by Monday, March 4.  Whether mailed or delivered in person, envelopes should be addressed to Friends Short Story Contest.  Mailed entries should be sent in care of the Olean Public Library, 134 N. Second St., Olean, N.Y. 14760.

 

7.  Winners will be notified through their English teacher.  The awards ceremony will be scheduled at the Olean Public Library shortly after winners are notified.

 

Thanks for your participation.  And good luck!

2011 Friends of the Library Short Story Contest

Entries will be accepted until April 4 for the 2011 Friends of the Olean Library short story contest. The contest is open to students in grades six through 10. Students may enter as a part of a class or on their own, and home-schooled students are welcome to enter.

Stories must feature all of the following items, used in an imaginative way: a big book, a dream and a pet (or a book about a pet). Stories may be no longer than 350 words. Stories which are longer or which do not feature all three items will be disqualified.

Mechanical correctness —  spelling, punctuation and grammar — is an important factor in the judging.

Entries must be typed on 8½ x 11 paper.  Students without other access to a word processor are welcome to use those at the Olean Public Library. Each page of the story must include the student’s name, grade, school and teacher’s name, even if the student is not entering as part of a class. Home-schooled students should use the name of the person doing most of the teaching as your teacher’s name.

Entries should be mailed or dropped off at the Olean Public Library, 134 N. 2nd St., Olean 14760. Winners will be notified in late April. First place winners at each grade level will receive gift cards from Barnes and Noble.

 

2010 Short Story Contest Guidelines

The Friends of the Olean Public Library are sponsoring a short story contest for students in grades 6 through 10.  Below are the rules:

1. Entries must feature, in an imaginative way, ALL of the following items: a library computer, a bird, and a teacher’s voice.
2. Permissible length is 350 words or less.  Please note: We do reject stories for excessive length or because they do not feature all three items listed in number 1.
3. This contest is open to students enrolled in grades 6 through 10.  Participants are limited to one entry and are expected to do their own work.
4. Entries must be typed on 8 1/2 x 11 paper.  Please choose a font that is easily readable, like Arial and a type size no smaller than 11 pt.  Students without other access to a word processing program are welcome to use the computers at the Olean Public Library.
5. Mechanical correctness — spelling, punctuation and grammar — is an important factor in the judging.
6. Entrant’s name, grade, school, and TEACHER’S NAME must be printed – legibly! – in the lower right corner of each page.  Home-schooled students are welcome; use the name of the person doing most of the teaching as your teacher’s name.
7. All entries must be received at the Olean Public Library by Friday, April 16, 2010.  Whether mailed or delivered in person, envelopes should be addressed to Friends Short Story Contest.  Mailed entries should be sent in care of the Olean Public Library, 134 N. Second St., Olean, NY 14760.
8. Winners will be notified through their English teacher after April 27th.  Awards will be presented the following week at the Olean Public Library.

Thanks for your participation.  And good luck!