UA Libraries Announce Winners of Book Collecting Contest

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Collections focusing on Harry Potter, the Middle East, comic books and Jack Kerouac were among the winners of The University of Alabama Libraries’ 2010 Book Collecting Challenge Contest.

“Book collecting is a wonderful way to learn about and experience our world,” said John Sandy, head of Rodgers Library for Science and Engineering and chair of this year’s contest.

“Individuals can choose to pursue any passion whether in science, history or some other area of interest,” he said.  “Anyone can participate. It’s amazingly democratic.”

Winners were selected in graduate and undergraduate categories and received cash prizes along with a one-year membership in the Rotunda Library Society. The winners are:

* Laura Abson, College of Arts and Sciences, first place, undergraduate category. “Fantasy for All Ages,”Abson’s collection, reflects her love of Harry Potter books.

* Edward Mostoller, College of Arts and Sciences, second place, undergraduate category. Mostoller, a political science major, named his collection “What Have We Been Doing?” His books reflect his interest in the Middle East.

* April Snider, College of Communication and Information Sciences, third place, undergraduate category. Her collection, “My Friend the Comic Book,” was started after she read her older brother’s comic books and includes comics with female heroes.

* Robert LoMascolo, School of Library and Information Studies, first place, graduate category. His collection features “Books designed by Bruce Rogers.” Rogers was the first to establish the profession of typographer and book designer and is considered one of the greatest American book designers.

* Rachel Watts, College of Arts and Sciences, second place, graduate category. Watts collects different covers of Jack Kerouac’s book “On the Road”. Her collection spans from the 1957 edition to the 2008 edition.

* Lauren Faulkenberry, School of Library and Information Studies, third place, graduate category. “Everything I Learned about Love” is the title of her collection. Faulkenberry enjoys collecting books mainly by Southern writers weaving stories about love and relationships.

The winners were recently announced by Dr. Mildred L. Jackson, associate dean of libraries. Dr. Louis A. Pitschmann, dean of University Libraries, introduced guest speaker, A. S. “Steve” Williams, a lifelong book collector.