Linebaugh Public Library System is sponsoring an Essay Contest on the topic: What Does My Public Library Mean to Me?

We are pleased to announce the following winners and finalists in our Essay Contest and to present their essays:

Age Group: 6-10 years old

• Grace Hayes, 9, Murfreesboro - second place (tie)

• Kayla Webb, 10, Milton

• Natalie Rachel Jones, 9, Smyrna - first place

• Teralynn Fisher, 9, Murfreesboro - second place (tie)

• Will Wright, 10, Murfreesboro

Age Group: 11-15 years old

• Harrison Taylor Smith, 13, Smyrna - first place

• Jessica Some, 15, Murfreesboro - second place

• Jonathan Beverly, 15, Smyrna

• Kelle Wadley, 15, Murfreesboro

• Natalie Peay, 11, Readyville

Age Group: 16-20 years old

• Brittany Robertini, 16, Murfreesboro

• Carrie Macon, 17, Murfreesboro - second place (tie)

• Daniel Shrum, 17, Murfreesboro

• Sara Nasab, 17, Murfreesboro - first place

• Tom Savady, 17, Murfreesboro - second place (tie)

Age Group: 21 and older

• Agnes Thomas, 51, Murfreesboro - second place (tie)

• Margaret Jordan, 75, Murfreesboro - second place (tie)

• Melinda Beel, 44, Smyrna

• Pam Davis, 53, Murfreesboro

• Tasha Parks, 29, Smyrna - first place

(Note: Essays are presented as they were submitted.)

LPLS received a total of 209 essays for the contest; of those, 184 were eligible, according to the contest rules & guidelines. Five finalists were selected for each of the four age categories by a panel of LPLS staff. These essays were then judged by a panel of elected officials to select the first-place winners. Our judges are:

• Ernest Burgess, Rutherford County Mayor

• Jim Daniel, Rutherford County Commissioner

• Joyce Ealy, Rutherford County Commissioner

• Toby Gilley, Murfreesboro City Council

• Ronnie Hill, Eagleville City Council

• Jeff Jordan, Rutherford County Commissioner

• Shane McFarland, Murfreesboro City Council

• Doug Shafer, Rutherford County Commissioner

• James Yates, Smyrna City Council

Winner were announced at a reception as part of National Library Week, held on April 17 at Linebaugh Library. Finalists had their essays printed in the Daily News Journal. Prizes included:

• $100 savings bonds, courtesy of Wilson Bank

• cash awards, courtesy of the Friends of Linebaugh Library

• a stained glass lamp, courtesy of The Lamp Gallery

• gift certificates, courtesy of The Learning Circle

• a jewelry box, courtesy of The Peddler Gifts & Interiors

• a gift certificate, courtesy of Digital Planet

• gift certificates, courtesy of Murfreesboro Barnes & Noble Booksellers

See the complete Rules & Guidelines for more information about this contest.

Sponsored by:
Wilson Bank & Trust
The Daily News Journal
Linebaugh Public Library System
Friends of Linebaugh Public Library

Additional prizes donated by:
Barb Ford & Chris Savage
Barnes & Noble
Digital Planet
Hastings Books, Movies & Videos
HobbyTown USA
The Lamp Gallery
Laser Therapy & Chiropractic Center
The Learning Circle
Painted Clay Studio
The Peddler Gifts & Interiors
Premier 6 Theatre
Shacklett's Photography