Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible?
How many prizes will be awarded?
When must I submit my application materials?
Why is the deadline so early in the semester?
Where should I submit my application materials?
What if my paper/project is not completed by the deadline? May I submit a draft?
My project was completed for a course that took place before this year's period of eligibility. Can you make an exception and consider my project for this year's Prize?
May I submit more than one research project into competition?
What about group/team projects?
Would an independent study course qualify for this competition?
May I apply for the prize if I work for a Temple library?
What about Web-based or digital projects?
Will projects be judged anonymously?
What will the judges be looking for?
If my project is in a language other than English, will it be eligible?
Why should I compete for this prize?
What are my chances of winning?
Why did the Library establish this prize?
Who is eligible?
Any Temple undergraduate who completes a research paper or project as part of a for-credit class at Temple University during the summer 2007, fall 2007, and spring 2008 semesters. Please see the Eligibility requirements for more information.
How many prizes will be awarded?
Up to three $1,000 cash prizes will be awarded for 2008.
When must I submit my application materials?
All application materials for the 2008 prize must be submitted by Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 5:00 p.m.
Why is the deadline so early in the semester?
We realize that the deadline may seem problematic, but please be assured that draft versions of the research paper are given the same consideration as completed projects. There are good reasons for what may seem to some to be an early deadline. In order to hold the awards reception before students leave for the summer we need to set the deadline several weeks before the end of the semester. We want students to get as far along as possible on their projects while allowing faculty and other judges two weeks to review and judge the submitted projects/papers and select winners. If we set the Prize deadline any later in the semester we would have trouble getting faculty to commit, as they will have their own papers to read. We feel that changing the eligibility of spring courses to the following year would severely limit our applicant pool. We expect that many of our applicants will be seniors completing their thesis or capstone projects. Since they will not be on-campus to apply the following year, we feel they should be eligible in that final semester. While the research project/paper is certainly important, it is important to remember that the library research process is the primary focus of the Prize. Therefore, for judging purposes, the most important part of the application is the essay describing the research strategy and process - not the project/paper itself. This is why we accept draft versions of projects for Prize consideration.
Where should I submit my application materials?
Applications must be EITHER (1) hand delivered in hard copy to the Office of the Dean of Libraries on the mezzanine level of Paley Library, between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday (check the Libraries' Web site for possible exceptions to the regular hours), OR (2) submitted online via the Library Prize Blackboard site. Submissions will not be accepted after 5:00 pm on April 10, 2008.
What if my paper/project is not completed by the deadline? May I submit a draft?
A draft may be submitted on or before April 10, 2008, in lieu of the final paper or project.; However, for judging purposes, the more complete a project is, the better. To be awarded the prize, students must submit the final version of their papers or projects by April 24, 2008.
My project was completed for a course that took place before this year's period of eligibility. Can you make an exception and consider my project for this year's Prize?
No. Please refer to the Eligibility requirements.
May I submit more than one research project into competition?
Yes. A student may submit more than one research project. However, a student may not win more than one prize per academic year.
What about group/team projects?
Groups or teams of researchers may submit their projects into competition. Each team member must make a substantial contribution to the paper or project. If a team project wins, the cash award will be distributed equally among team members.
Would an independent study course qualify for this competition?
Yes, any for credit course offered at Temple University would qualify.
May I apply for the prize if I work for a Temple library?
Yes. Students will not be excluded from competition because of current or past library employment.
What about Web-based or digital projects?
Web-based or digital projects are encouraged. For additional information on submitting digital projects, please see How to Apply.
Will projects be judged anonymously?
No. Research projects will be judged impartially, but not anonymously, by a committee composed of librarians and faculty.
What will the judges be looking for?
Submissions are judged by a seven-member selection committee. The committee is composed of four librarians and three faculty members, including one faculty member each from the sciences, social sciences, and humanities. Submissions will be judged according to the following criteria:
If my project is in a language other than English, will it be eligible?
Projects in non-English languages may be submitted, but the accompanying essay must be in English. Additionally, submissions of works in other languages may benefit from the inclusion of an English translation.
Why should I compete for this prize?
The Library Prize for Undergraduate Research acknowledges a high level of achievement in research and scholarship. The award enhances the winner's resume and graduate school application. Each winning project also receives a $1,000 cash prize.
What are my chances of winning?
All applicants have an equal chance of winning regardless of their major, class level, choice of research topic, or past employment with the library or other institution at Temple University.
Why did the Library establish this prize?
The Library Prize for Undergraduate Research was established by the Temple University Libraries to encourage more and better use of its resources and collections, to advance information literacy, and to promote academic excellence at Temple University.
How many prizes will be awarded?
When must I submit my application materials?
Why is the deadline so early in the semester?
Where should I submit my application materials?
What if my paper/project is not completed by the deadline? May I submit a draft?
My project was completed for a course that took place before this year's period of eligibility. Can you make an exception and consider my project for this year's Prize?
May I submit more than one research project into competition?
What about group/team projects?
Would an independent study course qualify for this competition?
May I apply for the prize if I work for a Temple library?
What about Web-based or digital projects?
Will projects be judged anonymously?
What will the judges be looking for?
If my project is in a language other than English, will it be eligible?
Why should I compete for this prize?
What are my chances of winning?
Why did the Library establish this prize?
Who is eligible?
Any Temple undergraduate who completes a research paper or project as part of a for-credit class at Temple University during the summer 2007, fall 2007, and spring 2008 semesters. Please see the Eligibility requirements for more information.
How many prizes will be awarded?
Up to three $1,000 cash prizes will be awarded for 2008.
When must I submit my application materials?
All application materials for the 2008 prize must be submitted by Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 5:00 p.m.
Why is the deadline so early in the semester?
We realize that the deadline may seem problematic, but please be assured that draft versions of the research paper are given the same consideration as completed projects. There are good reasons for what may seem to some to be an early deadline. In order to hold the awards reception before students leave for the summer we need to set the deadline several weeks before the end of the semester. We want students to get as far along as possible on their projects while allowing faculty and other judges two weeks to review and judge the submitted projects/papers and select winners. If we set the Prize deadline any later in the semester we would have trouble getting faculty to commit, as they will have their own papers to read. We feel that changing the eligibility of spring courses to the following year would severely limit our applicant pool. We expect that many of our applicants will be seniors completing their thesis or capstone projects. Since they will not be on-campus to apply the following year, we feel they should be eligible in that final semester. While the research project/paper is certainly important, it is important to remember that the library research process is the primary focus of the Prize. Therefore, for judging purposes, the most important part of the application is the essay describing the research strategy and process - not the project/paper itself. This is why we accept draft versions of projects for Prize consideration.
Where should I submit my application materials?
Applications must be EITHER (1) hand delivered in hard copy to the Office of the Dean of Libraries on the mezzanine level of Paley Library, between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday (check the Libraries' Web site for possible exceptions to the regular hours), OR (2) submitted online via the Library Prize Blackboard site. Submissions will not be accepted after 5:00 pm on April 10, 2008.
What if my paper/project is not completed by the deadline? May I submit a draft?
A draft may be submitted on or before April 10, 2008, in lieu of the final paper or project.; However, for judging purposes, the more complete a project is, the better. To be awarded the prize, students must submit the final version of their papers or projects by April 24, 2008.
My project was completed for a course that took place before this year's period of eligibility. Can you make an exception and consider my project for this year's Prize?
No. Please refer to the Eligibility requirements.
May I submit more than one research project into competition?
Yes. A student may submit more than one research project. However, a student may not win more than one prize per academic year.
What about group/team projects?
Groups or teams of researchers may submit their projects into competition. Each team member must make a substantial contribution to the paper or project. If a team project wins, the cash award will be distributed equally among team members.
Would an independent study course qualify for this competition?
Yes, any for credit course offered at Temple University would qualify.
May I apply for the prize if I work for a Temple library?
Yes. Students will not be excluded from competition because of current or past library employment.
What about Web-based or digital projects?
Web-based or digital projects are encouraged. For additional information on submitting digital projects, please see How to Apply.
Will projects be judged anonymously?
No. Research projects will be judged impartially, but not anonymously, by a committee composed of librarians and faculty.
What will the judges be looking for?
Submissions are judged by a seven-member selection committee. The committee is composed of four librarians and three faculty members, including one faculty member each from the sciences, social sciences, and humanities. Submissions will be judged according to the following criteria:
- originality, depth, breadth or sophistication in the use of library collections
- exceptional ability to select, evaluate, and synthesize library resources and to successfully use them in the creation of a project in any media
- evidence of personal growth through the acquisition of newfound knowledge
If my project is in a language other than English, will it be eligible?
Projects in non-English languages may be submitted, but the accompanying essay must be in English. Additionally, submissions of works in other languages may benefit from the inclusion of an English translation.
Why should I compete for this prize?
The Library Prize for Undergraduate Research acknowledges a high level of achievement in research and scholarship. The award enhances the winner's resume and graduate school application. Each winning project also receives a $1,000 cash prize.
What are my chances of winning?
All applicants have an equal chance of winning regardless of their major, class level, choice of research topic, or past employment with the library or other institution at Temple University.
Why did the Library establish this prize?
The Library Prize for Undergraduate Research was established by the Temple University Libraries to encourage more and better use of its resources and collections, to advance information literacy, and to promote academic excellence at Temple University.