UPDATE: The Library has extended the deadline and you now have until Dec. 17 to enter the essay contest.

By Megan McCain

REXBURG—To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Madison Library District, the Madison Library Foundation is hosting an essay contest with prizes for adults, teens and children. They want to know, “What do you love about the Madison Library?’

Submissions are due by Dec. 17, and will be judged by a committee of Madison Library Foundation members and possibly professors from Brigham Young University-Idaho. Essays should focus on personal stories of the library. They can be submitted to the front desk at the library at 73 N. Center Street, or by email at Madisonlibraryfoundation@gmail.com. See all the official rules at the foundation’s website.

In the adult category, the first place essayist will win $100, second place will win $50 and third place will win $25. Youth and children can win cash prizes, coupons, and goodie bags.

Susan Thomas of the Madison Library Foundation recalls hearing people talk about attending the library when the library was still just a room in the local courthouse. She says that stories from people with history and personal experience with the library are ideal for this essay contest.

“Libraries are such a great resource for all ages,” she says. “Lots of things for people to do. It really is a place to encourage literacy. In our community, I think it’s important for people to have a place to discuss ideas and just, you know, become a literate community.”

The Madison Library Foundation exists to support Madison Library, and in the past two decades has achieved such aims as funding an extension to the library as well as supplying computers and funding events.

The Madison Library Foundation’s main fundraising source is the Wishing Well Bookstore, found just inside the entry to the library.

Other ways to contribute include direct donation at the Madison Library Foundation’s website, as well as attending foundation board meetings. Meetings are held on the second Thursday of each month at 2 p.m. in the library’s community room.