University Library News Release
Date: October 3, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Jeanette Smith, NMSU Library, (505) 646-7492, jcsmith@lib.nmsu.edu
Big Read Contests Announced
Big Read officials have announced three contests designed to encourage participation in this month's community celebration of the book Bless Me, Última, by New Mexican author Rudolfo Anaya. The deadline for all three Big Read contests: a photo contest, a short film contest and an essay contest, is Friday, October 19.
All residents of Dona Ana County, except employees of the New Mexico State University Library and the Thomas Branigan Memorial Library, are eligible to enter. It is recommended that for more contest details, contestants should visit http://lib.nmsu.edu/big/contests.shtml or contact NMSU librarian Alisa Gonzalez at acgonzal@nmsu.edu or (575) 646-6926.
The grand prize for the photo contest is a Canon PowerShot 7.1 Megapixel ELPH. Please email high resolution digital photos (one submission per day per person) that represent themes and imagery in Bless Me, Última to lascrucesbigread@gmail.com. Photos will be judged on artistic interpretation and quality of photograph. Contestants must include name, brief description of the photo and phone number with each entry. Photos of first, second and third prize winners will be posted to the Big Read web site at http://lib.nmsu.edu/bigread/.
A Sony digital camcorder is the grant prize for the Big Read short film contest. Please email a three minute or shorter film in .wmv, .avi, .mov, or .mgp file format (only one entry per person) to lascrucesbigread@gmail.com. Films must depict a scene, a theme or imagery from Bless Me, Última. All copyrighted materials used must have permissions for use given. Films of first, second and third prize winners will be posted to youtube and the Big Read web site.
The Big Read essay contest is open to two age groups, age 17 and younger and age 18 and older. Essays must be between 300 and 500 words, and must be on the subject "What novel changed your way of thinking, inspired your dreams or made you a better person?" Essays (only one entry per person) must be about any novel (no non-fiction). Contestants must include name, address, age and phone number with the entry. Please email the essay to lascrucesbigread@gmail.com. First, second and third prize winners in each age group will receive Barnes and Noble gift certificates.
The Big Read contests are part of the month-long Big Read, which includes a rich schedule of programs, book discussion groups, readings, music and dance performances, film showings, contests and other events and activities related to Bless Me, Última and the culture it describes. All events will take place in the Las Cruces area, and are free and open to the public.
Support for the Doña Ana County Big Read is provided by a National Endowment for the Arts grant to the NMSU Library and the generosity of private donors and institutional sponsors.
Visit http://lib.nmsu.edu/bigread/ or call (575) 646-6925 or (575) 646-5792 for more information an all aspects of the Big Read.
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