Step right up!

This isn’t about training, but I like the idea so much that I’m posting it here. It’s not the topic (federated search) that is so interesting to me, but it’s this approach — encouraging “fresh voices” with an essay contest. I like it.

FEDERATED SEARCH BLOG ESSAY CONTEST:  Submission Deadline:  October 31,
2008

As you may have read, the Federated Search Blog is sponsoring a writing
contest that asks entrants to predict the future of federated search. As
lead author of the blog, my goal for the contest is get our industry
creatively and purposefully thinking about our destiny… and I would love
to hear from fresh voices.

To that end, I’ve moved the deadline for the contest to October 31 so
that interested library students can participate.

We’re asking entrants to submit an original, unpublished essay in
English and of no more than 1,500 words. Entrants can comment about such
issues as the role of Google, the type of features federated search will
include, how the open source movement will impact the industry, whether
there will be an entirely new paradigm, or wherever their own
predictions take them.

Essays will be judged by a panel of noted industry experts including
Marshall Breeding, Roy Tennant, Miriam Drake, Carl Grant, Judy Luther,
and Peter Noerr. Essays will be evaluated based on writing quality,
originality, and vision.

We feel there’s a compelling reason to enter: in addition to cash
prizes of $500, $250 and $100 to the first, second and third place
winners, the first place essay will be published in *Computers in
Libraries* and the author will present the scenario at the Computers in
Libraries Conference in Spring 2009. Travel expenses will be paid by
Deep Web Technologies, who is also providing the cash prizes. It’s a
great way for newcomers to the industry to establish themselves (and a
great way to showcase your school’s talent).

For details on the contest visit *
http://federatedsearchblog.com/category/contest* or contact me
directly. I would love to hear from you.

Thanks. I look forward to reading entries from your students.

Sol Lederman

Federated Search Blog (www.federatedsearchblog.com)