You Can't Do This With A Kindle!

Talk about a page turner! The North Haven Memorial Library's second annual Altered Book contest encourages readers to get right into their favorite book and turn it into art.

Reference librarian Nancy Haag told us that she "happened across a story about a library in Maryland that ran an altered book contest, and decided to try it here" last year.

"Our first one was last November, and it was enthusiastically received.  There were 18 entries, and it spawned an Altered Book Club, that meets twice a month (2nd and 4th Thursdays at 6:30pm) at the North Haven Library," she told us in an email.

This year's award ceremony and display of the entries will be on Tuesday,
October 30 at 7:00 p.m. in the library's community room.

According to the library's website, an “altered book is a book, old or new, that has been transformed by creative means into a work of art.  Creating altered books may be as simple as adding a drawing or text to a page, or as complex as creating an intricate book sculpture."

Contest rules:

•  The competition is open to anyone 12 years old or older.  There will be a teen competition for ages 12 – 17, and an adult competition for ages 18 and older.
• There are no rules about how to alter the book.
• Books may come from any source, but please do not use a library book!  Free used books will be available to take home for competition use.
• Artists may submit only one entry.
• Employees and family members of employees of the North Haven Memorial Library are allowed to participate, but may not win a prize.

Entries must be submitted by 5:00pm on Wednesday, October 24, 2012.
Award Ceremony and Reception are 7:00 pm on Tuesday, October 30, 2012.

Work will be judged by a local panel.  There will be first ($75), second ($50), and third ($25) prize winners in both teen and adult categories. 

The winning entries, and as many others as fit, will be exhibited in the North Haven Library through November.

For more information contact Reference Librarian, Nancy Haag at 203-239-5803 or nhaag@northhavenlibrary.net.