Bookmark Contest

Download a copy of these Rules & Guidelines

• Who is eligible? Any K-12 students, including homeschoolers and private school students, who live in the North Thurston Public Schools boundaries. 1 entry per student.
• How do I enter? Read these contest rules and create your bookmark on an official template.
• Where do I get a bookmark template? Check with the NTPS teacher-librarian at your school. Templates also available at private schools, District Office, Lacey Timberland Library and through homeschool networks. Download a template.

Contest Criteria

• If you're using the date on your bookmark, please use Lacey Loves to Read 2026!
• Image – original images only! No copyrighted images, symbols, or slogans will be selected (e.g., Pokémon, SpongeBob, Disney).
• Art can NOT be A.I. generated. Your ORIGINAL art may be designed on a computer. Freehand art is highly encouraged.
• Suggested media – colored felt-tip marker, crayon, or fine-tipped pencil (Note: the brighter the colors, the better the reproduction).
• Use of space – vertical or horizontal design should fill the rectangle bookmark template. Don't trim!
• Content – images should reflect a love of literature and reading and can include elements inspired by the featured author and/or Lacey Loves to Read.
• Any text included with the image must be neatly written and spelled correctly.
• Students should NOT put their name directly on the artwork, but do need to complete and legibly fill out the form below the artwork (first name, grade, and school will be added to winning bookmarks when published with guardian permission).
• For homeschool and private school entries, please leave a phone number or email address for winner notification.

Selection Process

• NTPS entries: Each NTPS school may submit up to five (5) entries per grade level. A school bookmark contest coordinator (usually the school's teacher-librarian) will send school entries in district mail to NTPS ELA Department, Attn. LL2R-Sue Pinch.
• Community entries (including private or homeschool entries) can be dropped off at NTPS District Office/ELA Department or the Lacey Timberland Library.
• The deadline for both is November 7, 2025, before the close of business. NTPS closes at 4:30 pm; library closes at 6:00 pm.
• From these entries, our committee will select 26 semi-finalists: 1 bookmark from each NTPS school that enters and at least 2 from community entries.
• From these 26 semi-finalists, 7 winners (6 grand prize and 1 superintendent's honorable mention) will be chosen, one from each of the following categories: K–1, 2–3, 4–5; Middle School, High School, Community, and the Superintendent's Honorable Mention. These are chosen by the Lacey Loves to Read Committee and community partners.
• The grand prize winners and semi-finalists will have their bookmarks published and distributed throughout the community and schools during Lacey Loves to Read 2026.

Recognition

• December 2025: Bookmark winners announced. All winners (semifinalists and grand prize) will receive printed copies of their bookmarks the week of December 15, 2025.
• January 20, 2026: Grand prize bookmark winners will be invited to a Lacey City Council meeting; all winners will be recognized at the author assemblies.
• February 12, 2026: Special book signing opportunity with the featured author for all bookmark winners at the community event.
• School recognition:
  • Each school gives special recognition to their school winners/semi-finalists (morning announcement, school newsletter, assembly, etc.)
  • Some schools may choose to print more color copies of their school winners.
  • We encourage schools to display all bookmark entries in their school library.
• All bookmark winners' art will be published on the district website.

All artwork submitted becomes the property of Lacey Loves to Read.