T. Kimball Brooker Prize for Undergraduate Book Collecting

The 2024 Prize is now open for applications! Please submit your application through the form here.

The submission deadline has been extended by a week!

Submissions are now due by midnight, Monday, April 22.

The University of Chicago Library is pleased to sponsor the T. Kimball Brooker Prize for undergraduate book collecting. Mr. Brooker (PhD'96) established the Prize to foster a love of the book and to encourage book collecting among undergraduates.

Eligibility

We welcome all second and fourth-year students at the University of Chicago to apply.

Criteria

Collections may focus on a topic, the work of one or more authors, or physical features such as illustrations and bindings. In addition to books, collections of musical scores and printed maps may be entered into the prize competition. Contestants should pay particular attention to materiality and other attributes that make their collections noteworthy. Consider questions such as: Why this edition or copy? What did it take that was out of the ordinary to assemble books on this subject?

Students are not expected to have collections that are large, valuable in monetary terms, or complete. Rather, the competition emphasizes thoughtfulness and intent in building a collection around the collector's interests.

Past winners have collections focused on subjects that range from religion in ancient Egypt to feminist zines, from cover art to Latin American poetry. Learn more about past Prize Winners here!

Prizes Awarded

$1,000 to up to two second-year students
$2,000 to up to two fourth-year students

Additionally, each winner will receive a one-year membership to the Caxton Club, including a subscription to the monthly Caxtonian and access to all Caxton Club events and meetings; a copy of Other People’s Books: Association Copies and the Stories They Tell; and two complimentary passes for Caxton lunch or dinner meetings of the winner's choosing.

Submission

Review and complete the Brooker Prize Application. Your application must be accompanied by an abstract describing your collection and its theme; a short essay (maximum of 2 single-spaced pages); and a bibliography of books in your collection.

Exhibit

Winners will be asked to contribute a small selection (three to six works) from their collections to be included in the Brooker Prize display in Regenstein Library during the spring quarter.

Re-submission

Collections not selected for the 2nd-year prize are eligible for re-submission in your 4th-year. In such cases, you should specify in your essay how your collection has grown and developed.