This year's Pimp my Bookcart contest had nearly a hundred submissions from all around the world. They came from schools, libraries, a book store, and a jail. There were carts made by kids, teenagers, and adults.
They were higher-quality than ever, which made judging extremely difficult. We're not exaggerating when we say that our shortlist was in the dozens. We finally hunkered down in an undisclosed location in Indianapolis and argued well into the night. In the end we followed our hearts.
The Winners
First Prize: Food for Thought
by Student Employees of Columbia University Library
We both love this with a mad passion. It made Bill homesick, and Gene hungry. We rarely agree on anything as easily as we did in giving this cart first prize. Succeeds in all of our judging categories! They win their choice of any Smith System book truck.
Second Prize: Phoenix Rising
by Harlem High School Welding 3
Clearly, this firetruck has the best finish of all the carts submitted this year. The level of detail is simply amazing, as is the story of why it was built. Harlem High School wins a Smith System Mini 3 sloping book truck in their choice of color.
Kid's Special Prize: Score Big @ the Library!
by Pennwood Branch of Bucks County Free Library
One of the most unexpected designs we saw this year – winner of the special runner up prize for carts entered by middle schoolers. Each kid who contributed wins an Unshelved book and the t-shirt of their choice.
Runner-Up: Joad's Jalopy
by Briargate Branch of Pikes Peak Library District
Amazing combination of presentation and execution to turn the book cart into a jalopy. They win a gift certificate to the Unshelved store and a Smith mini book truck card holder.
Runner-Up: Bookmobile Mini-Me
by Washington County Free Library Bookmobile Department
We both wish there had been a close-up of the Mini-me Bookmobile – looks like an amazing reproduction. They win a gift certificate to the Unshelved store and a Smith mini book truck card holder.
Runner-Up: Libraries Build Knowledge
by Mohave County Library - Lake Havasu City Branch
Simple but very pleasing and well done. They win a gift certificate to the Unshelved store and a Smith mini book truck card holder.
Runner-Up: Animal Crackers
by York County Public Library- Tabb Technical Services Dept.
Pleasing and very unexpected! But we felt it relied too much on preprinted elements (probably from a display or store advertisement) to receive one of the top prizes. They win a gift certificate to the Unshelved store and a Smith mini book truck card holder.
Runner-Up: The Cat in the Hat Reshelving and Cleaning Machine
by UCSD Libraries
Our favorite of the Seussian carts because of the finish and the presentation. They win a gift certificate to the Unshelved store and a Smith mini book truck card holder.
Runner-Up: Optimus Bookcart
by Forest Hills Branch Library
Gene just loved that this one actually transforms (and he’s not a Transformers fan). They win a gift certificate to the Unshelved store and a Smith mini book truck card holder.
: Indiana Jones
by Wayne Branch Library
Had a chance to see this one in person in Indianapolis – the painted on wood paneling is particularly well done.
: Catch the Reading Bug
by Westminster Public Library
Very pleasing – really like the way the back of the ladybug opens.
: Dewey Marks the Spot
by Concordia University, St. Paul Library Technology Center
Our favorite touch: the Dewey treasure map.
: The Jetson's Skypad Apartments
by Fort Belknap College Library
Simple and pleasing – would have gotten an award if it didn’t rely on branded props to the extent it does.
: Mario Kart
by McAlester Public Library Teen Group
Took Gene a while to realize this is Mario Kart (despite it being in the description) – great design that really recalls the car in the game.
: Get Tempted @ Your Library
by Alexander Mack Memorial Library, Bridgewater College, Virginia
Nancy Pearl really is a temptress!
: Green Eggs and Ham
by Tabb Library
One of Gene’s favorite Dr. Seuss books, and the only cart in the shape of a book entered this year.
: Haunted Triple-Decker-Bus
by Lenawee County Library
Spooky! (Reminds Gene of that Shatner movie with the spiders.)
: Corney the Agassiz Bookcart
by Agassiz Library Society: Friends of the Library
A star is corn! (totally stole that)
: A good book will keep your blood a PUMP-KIN!
by Bryant Public Library Teen Advisory Board
Like the pumpkins.
: A la "cart"
by Scottsdale Culinary Institute
We really liked the simplicity and appropriateness of this, along with the fact that the cloth matches the cart.
: Inara's Bookcart
by James Cook High School Library (New Zealand)
We're suckers for a Joss Whedon reference.
: Wall-e at the Library!
by Bensalem Branch, Bucks County Free Library
Really liked the arms and the eyes on this one – nicely done.
: Spook-mobile
by Rolling Hills Consolidated Library Ref. department
Combines both the horse theme and the spooky Teen Read Week theme!
: Cart-ouche
by Round Lake Area Public Library
Best attempt to pander to the judges, and a great setting – we both want copies of the cartouche! (Is that my boss?)
: Recycling Rummage Reader Ralph
by Culpeper County Library Two Teen Power
Awesome extemporaneous cart!
: Harry Potter's Knight Bus
by Young Adult council (YAC), Frances Perkins Branch of the Worcester (MA) Public Library
: Spongebob Squarepants!
by T.A.G. of West Las Vegas Library - Las Vegas-Clark County Library District
: Good vs Evil
by MGHS Library Club
Reminds Gene of that Star Trek episode “Let That Be Your Last Battlefield” (thanks Google!)
: Wii Like Libraries!!!
by Pueblo City-County Library District - Teen Advisory Board
Hiding the Wii and the projector in the cart was genius. Favorite element: fake sockets in the back of the “console”.
: Loch Ness Monster
by Multnomah County Library-Midland Teen Council
Well executed and original. Love the fish in the water.
: Snoopy Reads
by Iroquois Ridge High School
Our favorite of the several Peanuts-themed carts this year. Simple but well executed.
: Bookasaurus
by Vroman's Bookstore Hastings Ranch
Our favorite of the dinosaur carts, love the way he eats those herbs.
: Florida High Graphic Novel Heroes
by The Florida State University Schools
The part of the cart with the art is quite smart.
: We let the PIGEON DRIVE THE BUS!!!!
by The BBS @ ACS
Another great vehicle. The color of the paper matches the paint job on the cart very well!
Make sure you see all 96 entries !