Purpose

In this age of electronic information, research has become a more complicated process. Sources may be in paper or microfilm, on the Web, or in other electronic formats. Evaluating these sources takes increasing time and effort. This award was created to reward those students who take the time to develop a thoughtful, methodical, and scholarly approach to the research needed for their papers and projects, as well as to encourage students to develop good research techniques. 

Eligibility

Eligible papers/projects must have been completed by a Wellesley College student who was enrolled at Wellesley College at the time the project was completed. Individuals or teams may submit projects/papers, and all class levels and all disciplines are eligible.

Eligible papers/projects must have been completed for a Wellesley College course and completed for Wellesley College course credit.

Eligible papers/projects must have been completed during the previous calendar year. For the 2025 award, papers/projects must have been completed during Spring, Summer, or Fall semester 2024.

Each student or team may submit only one paper/project per award year. Each paper/project may be submitted only once.

All submissions must be accompanied by a completed Faculty Evaluation Form from the instructor who taught the course for which the paper/project is submitted. [Faculty FAQ].

Applicants must agree to give the Library permission to exhibit winning papers/projects in the Library. All application materials remain the property of the Library. Winning papers/projects will become part of the College Archives, and may be posted in the Wellesley College Digital Repository.

The online application may be completed here: Student Library Research Award Online Application. On the final page of the form, you will be prompted to upload your files for consideration (see below for a detailed list). (Preview the online application form.)

Applications will consist of:

• A completed Student Library Research Award Application form [accessible at the Student Library Research Award Online Application page]

• A completed Faculty Evaluation Form from the supervising faculty member or instructor [accessible at the Faculty Evaluation Form page]

• A 500-750 word research strategy essay describing your research strategy, sources used, how your research skills developed, and how your research contributed to the quality of your paper/project. [Essay tips]

• A final version of the research project/paper submitted for credit or a letter grade, including your bibliography. This should be a "clean copy," NOT the graded copy with the professor's comments. 

• A bibliography or other appropriate listing of sources consulted, if not submitted as a part of your final research project

• For research papers in a language other than English, a 1-page English summary of your research paper must be included.

• In some cases, additional materials may be submitted (images, video, audio files, etc.).

Application Deadline

Please note that the application deadline for the 2025 awards is earlier than in the past: February 14, 2025. Applications will be accepted for the 2025 awards (for research papers/projects from Spring, Summer, or Fall 2024) beginning December 9, 2024. 

Incomplete applications will not be accepted and late applications will not be considered. Applications are submitted digitally and will not be returned.

For projects that cannot be submitted digitally using the Student Library Research Award Online Application, please contact Karen Storz (x3372 / kstorz@wellesley.edu) to make arrangements.

Evaluation Criteria

Successful projects will:

• Make extensive, creative use of diverse library resources and collections in any format.

• Demonstrate effective application of information literacy and fluency principles:

  • Determining information needs

  • Evaluating and analyzing information

  • Managing, organizing, and synthesizing information

  • Applying information in the context of the research project

  • Making responsible use of information by providing appropriate and accurate citations and credits

• Show evidence of significant personal knowledge in the methods of research and inquiry.

Evaluation Committee

Submissions will be evaluated by a panel consisting of two faculty members, two librarians, and two members of the Friends of the Library Steering Committee.