Architects, Artists, Et Al:

Submit Designs For Kent Book Sale Displays

 KENT — The Kent Library Association and Kent Chamber of Commerce are  inviting architects, architectural students, artists and anyone with a great imagination to submit designs for a new method of displaying books during the summer-long book fair in the library’s front yard.

The book fair, which since the late 1970s has run from May through October, is a major tourist destination in Kent, attracting hundreds of people to the community each weekend who stay in town to visit local stores and restaurants. Proceeds from the sale of thousands of books each year represent a significant portion of the library’s operating budget.

The majority of the donated books are currently displayed on portable tables and others are kept on upright shelves, a system that works well for the buyers, but has three serious draw backs: first, in order to protect the inventory from rain and other elements volunteers must cover the tables with plastic tarps each night, an effort that is awkward, labor intensive and time consuming; second, some have complained that the displays are unattractive when covered with their black tarps; and third, the displays themselves are old and often recycled pieces that are not always secure from weather or the sheer weight of the books.

“The library would like to display the books in way that adds to the charm of Main Street and will enhance our ability to move and restock the thousands of books we sell each season in Kent,” said Ken Cooper, the president of Kent Library Association. “It’s a great architectural challenge and we encourage everyone interested to submit their design proposals.  I am delighted that the Chamber of Commerce is behind this effort and is raising the funds for the prize money.”

Mr Cooper said anyone may enter the competition to design the new display units.

“Architects, architectural students, industrial designers, artists, woodworkers and cabinet makers, anyone who has a good idea can submit a design,” he said. “Team submissions are acceptable. The names of all competitors will be kept confidential until the final awards are decided.”

Entries will be judged by committee comprised of local business people, designers and others. The panel will include Bruce Bennett, a landscape designer and president of Kent Greenhouse and Gardens; John Gleason, a contractor and president of BL Gleason & Sons; Greg St. John, cabinetmaker and owner of St John’s Bridge LLC; architect and sculptor Tim Prentice; Larry Timmins, director of Kent Library Association and co-chairman of the book sale; architect Scot Samuelson; and local merchant Geraldine Woodruff, the owner of Terston Home Accents.

Submissions are due by January 4, 2008. The judges will announce seven finalists on February 8, and the final announcement of winners will be made in March (the exact date TBA).

In addition to seeing their designs utilized during the book fair for years to come, the first place winner will receive a cash prize of $1,000. The second and third place winners will also receive $500 and $300, respectively. Four Honorable Mention citations will also be awarded.

For complete details of the competition and registration visit KentCT.com/library.