We argued. We bickered. We threatened each other. We ordered more and more caffeinated beverages. But finally, after a grueling back-and-forth that took place in three states and lasted as many weeks, we’ve finally arrived at consensus. Here are the winners for the ultimate (last, final) Pimp My Bookcart, with bookcart prizes provided by our awesome sponsor, Smith System
P.S. These wonderful entries all deserve as wide an audience as possible. Please use the widgets below to spread the word to your favorite social networking site(s).
P.P.S. The best way to keep up with announcements of future events like this is to subscribe to Unshelved - you'll get free comic strips as a bonus!
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by Gleeson Library, University of San Francisco
This year’s first prize was an easy choice for both judges. We passed on the opportunity for our yearly fistfight and settled on this fabulous cable car lookalike. The fit and finish on this one is spectacular, including the signage and the bronzed desk bell on top. The creators also took photos that really showed off the cart from two great angles. USF's Gleeson Library wins a new bookcart of its choice courtesy Smith System.
by Troutman Library
As cartoonists we are suckers for a good play on words, and this was a great one. A wonderful library-specific parody of the convenience of Redbox DVD rental machines by letting library patrons know how much money they’re going to save by checking out a book. Truly great staging as well! The creative folks at Troutman Library get to choose their favorite color of Smith System 3 Sloping book truck.
by Olympia Timberland Library & Friends
When it comes to bookcarts it’s hard to surprise us at this point, so we were pleased and amazed to see not one but two yarn-based bookcarts this year. Nancy here won out over the very awesome exiSTENCIList not only by having a superior name, but also for being that much more over-the-top. After all, if you're going to hand-knit a bookcart cozy, you may as well go all the way. Bonus: Knitted Dewey Decimal number for knitting! Olympia Timberland Library, a Pimp My Bookcart runner-up back in 2006, wins their favorite color of Smith System Mini 3 Sloping book truck.
by Licking County Library Children
We love the way the creator posed looking down over the edge of the sidewalk she made. Great way to celebrate a fun book! We’re going to send a book and a T-shirt to the young lady who brought this cart to life.
P.S. We want to work at the Licking County Library just to get a business card.
by Lexington Public Library - Eagle Creek Branch
This was obviously an incredible amount of work. They cut out individual keys and used scrap lumber to turn their cart into a ragtime piano, and went as far as making the “music roll” turn while a hidden MP3 player played music. Bonus points for the well-aged sepia toned picture and the Dick Dastardly mustache! Participants will be splitting a $100 gift certificate to the Unshelved Store.
by Concordia University College Library
The plush-covered cart and feline face initially caught our attention, but when we read that the globe was made from a yoga ball and paper-maché we knew it deserved a prize. Congratulations to the Concordia University College Library for this serious library punnage, which wins a $50 gift certificate to the Unshelved Store.
by Santa Maria Public Library
Great staging that nicely upturns a book cart’s basic purpose by bringing patrons to where the books are. (We’re sure this would be Dewey’s favorite.) Sadly the winners will be unable to buy coffee with their prize, a $50 gift certificate to the Unshelved Store.
by Kamiah High School Library
This wowed us with it’s amazing finish and the way it expressed its community’s ties to the logging industry. They will have to use a log splitter to divvy up their prize, a $50 gift certificate to the Unshelved Store.
by Lexington Public Library - Central Adult Services
This year brought several Star Wars-inspired carts, including more than one from The Empire Strikes Back. This was our favorite. We imagine it as a large, heavily armed and armored bookmobile trying to bring books to illiterate rebel scum on a frozen wasteland. The imperial mechanics that created this will split their prize, a $50 gift certificate to the Unshelved Store.
by Lexington Public Library - Admin and HR Departments
Gesundheit! The Lexington Public Library's Admin and HR Staff will be splitting a $50 gift certificate to the Unshelved Store. (If you spend it on T-shirts, please don't wipe your noses on the sleeves.)
by Technical Services Staff, St. Petersburg Public Library System
We wanted to give special recognition to this, the creepiest book cart photo we've ever received. We’re sending each of you a signed Unshelved collection. Before you open it, please rinse whatever that is off your hands.