Hey book lovers and budding artists!

Vaughan Public Libraries is excited to announce that for the first time ever, we’re having a Design a Bookmark Contest! We’re calling all young artists aged 12 to 18! Unleash your creativity and tell us how libraries and reading empower and inspire you. Whether through digital or handmade art, you could win one of two $100 Vaughan Mills gift cards.

Contest entry forms are available in branches or open and download the Bookmark Contest template and Submission Form to start!

What’s the theme?

How do libraries and reading empower and inspire you?

What are the categories?

Digital and Handmade Art.

What are the prizes?

Two $100 Vaughan Mills gift cards will be awarded to the first-prize winners in each category. Winning bookmarks will be distributed across VPL to share with all customers.

How are the bookmarks judged?

A panel of VPL staff and experts from the McMichael Canadian Art Collection will judge entries based on theme, originality, and design.

Contest Rules & Conditions

How to Enter:

1. Participants must be between 12-18 at the time of entry submission, and have a valid VPL library card.
2. We accept only one entry in one category per person.
3. Participants must submit their original creations based on the theme “How do libraries and reading empower and inspire you?”
4. The bookmark design must be 100% authentic and unique and must not be plagiarized in any way, shape or form. We will not accept submissions with any AI-generated or AI-assisted art.
5. Participants must follow the template size and file format as instructed.
6. Please submit the design and contest entry form to your local VPL branch or email librarian.librarian@vaughan.ca with ‘Bookmark Design Competition’ in the subject line by August 23. Only winners will be contacted.
7. By entering the Contest, you agree to abide by these Contest Rules and Conditions.
8. For more information, contact VPL at librarian.librarian@vaughan.ca or (905) 653-READ (7323).
9. Children of employees and VPL volunteers are not eligible to participate.

The Contest:

1. Participants will create their original bookmark design directly in the space provided on the front of this form. If your design is digital, please follow the sizing format as instructed on the front of this form.
2. Feel free to use a variety of colours and materials. We will not accept designs featuring copied or licensed characters or AI-generated art.
3. Entries will be judged on theme, originality, and design by a panel of VPL staff and experts from the McMichael Canadian Art Collection.
4. All entries become the property of Vaughan Public Libraries and may be printed, distributed and displayed at all library locations. The judges’ decisions are final.

Don’t forget to include the Contest Entry Form when you submit your design!

Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity to express your creativity and share your love of reading. We can’t wait to see your amazing bookmark designs!