Perrie Jones Award

What Has the Library Meant to You?

Does the library play an important role in your life? Can you say that you wouldn't be who you are today without the library? We want to hear from you! The Perrie Jones Award will honor an individual who conveys the most compelling story about what value the library has brought to their life.

The award is named after Perrie Jones, a library director who founded The Friends in 1945 with a belief that libraries create thriving communities and deserve investment. Perrie created a network of Friends who, for 75 years, have worked to keep our Saint Paul Public Libraries strong. In our anniversary year, we are honoring her legacy through this award by lifting up the voices of those she sought to serve.

Perrie Jones, Friends Founder

Due to the pandemic, the Perrie Jones Award contest will not take place this year. We hope to offer the award in 2021. Thank you for your understanding.

Contest Rules

1. Application and essay for the Perrie Jones Award must be submitted through the form available at thefriends.org/award. Applicants may compose their essay in the form OR upload a word/pdf document. Essays should be no less than 300 words and no more than 600 words.

2. The library at the heart of the essay may be any library, not just the Saint Paul Public Library.

3. Students must be a resident of the City of Saint Paul, not just attending a school in the City of Saint Paul. Students who are residents of Saint Paul and attend a school outside the city limits are eligible.

4. Application and essays must be received by May 22, 2020.

5. In order for an entry to be considered complete, applicants under the age of 18 must upload a media consent form signed by a parent or guardian. If 18+, the student must submit a media consent form in their own name. Downloadable forms are available within the entry form.

6. All submissions will be reviewed for eligibility by staff of The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library and judged by a panel of readers from The Friends Board of Trustees.

7. Students will be notified of outcomes by July 31, 2020.

8. Students related to staff or members of the Board of Trustees of The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library are not eligible to enter the Perrie Jones Award contest. Family members of current Saint Paul Public Library employees are likewise ineligible for consideration.

The need for a strong library is greater than ever.

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