The Library is all about the flow of ideas and creativity. You might think of the flow as one directional, following a path from books and materials to their readers. In reality, library users pour their talents, passions and stories back into the community every day. Two great examples of this are the Ralph Munn Creative Writing Contest and the Labsy Awards. 

These contests offer an opportunity for teenage writers, artists, musicians and coders to share their work. Whether in the form of a horror story or a mini documentary, all talents are on full display. Not only do writers and creators have the chance to win cash prizes, there is also ample possibility for networking. Local judges—experts in their fields—review submissions and give submitters helpful feedback. During the Teen Media Awards, a celebration of all work submitted to both contests, teenagers can connect and collaborate.  

Get ready, because submissions open on March 16th. At that time, head over to the Ralph Munn and Labsy pages for submission links and full rules. Ralph Munn closes first on April 19th, so make sure to get in those final edits and adjust your font sizes! Labsy is open for submissions until July 5th, meaning there’s some time in the summer to tweak videos, paintings, and songs. Keep in mind that Ralph Munn is open only to high school students (grades 9-12), while the Labsy Awards are for anyone in grades 6-12.  

Of course, don’t forget to have fun! Prizes and notoriety are cool but creating something meaningful for yourself is a true achievement. If you have any questions, contact ralphmunn@carnegielibrary.org and/or thelabs@carnegielibrary.org. You can also stop by any Library location for advice or clarifications. We’re looking forward to seeing (and sharing) what you make!