DAPHNE, Ala.—The Daphne Public Library invites all area students to participate in its 2009 “Back-to-School” Bookmark Contest.

The contest is sponsored by the Friends of the Daphne Public Library, and is open to students from kindergarten through 12th grades. 

There will be two divisions for competition: kindergarten through fifth grades in Division 1 and sixth through 12th grades in Division 2.

Each entry should include the name, home phone number, grade, and school on the back of the bookmark. Bookmarks should be the approximate size of a commercial bookmark. The bookmarks should be made from poster paper or cardstock, if possible. The theme may incorporate elements of reading, books, the library, favorite characters or authors. 

Neatness and originality are important elements in this contest.

The contest will begin on Aug. 28 and end on Sept. 25 at 5 p.m. Class entries may be enclosed in a large envelope and returned to the Daphne Public Library. People are asked to include on the envelope: Back To School Bookmark Contest and contact information. The library staff will judge the best three entries from each grade. The Board of The Friends of The Daphne Public Library will judge the top three winners in the lower and upper divisions.

First, second and third place will be determined for each school grade.  The overall top three winners in each division will be chosen based on talent and design, independent of the age group, and will have their bookmark entry framed and displayed for two months in the Junior and Young Adult areas of the Daphne Public Library. All winners will receive ribbons.  The top three overall winners in each division will also receive a gift certificate of $10 from a local book store. The first-place overall winners in each division will have their bookmarks reproduced for distribution in the library and receive copies for family and classmates. 

Contact Fanny Barnett or Louise Youngblood at 251-621-2818 for further information.