Library Pitch Competition Rules

Library Pitch Competition Rules

By entering this competition, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and accepted the terms and conditions below. 

1. Competition is sponsored by the University of Victoria as represented by its Libraries (“UVic”).
2. Competition is open to all current UVic students who are residents of Canada, excluding Quebec, who meet all the following requirements: Have an entrepreneurial idea for a library pitch with UVic Libraries.
3. Competition opens on January 20, 2026 at 9:00 AM and ends on Feb 17, 2026 at 5PM.
4. Entrants (can be an individual or a team) must submit a written pitch file of 1-2 pages via MS Forms to be entered into the competition. The pitch file should clearly address the following:

The idea

• What are you proposing? 
• Is it a tool, service, program, space, or platform? 

The problem or opportunity

• What challenge or need does this idea address within the library or student experience? 
• Why does this matter now? 

Who it’s for & why it matters

• Who would benefit from this idea (e.g., students, staff, researchers, specific communities)? 
• How does it improve access, inclusion, sustainability, or innovation? 

How it could work

• What would implementation look like at a high level? 
• What resources, partnerships, or technologies might be involved? 

Your motivation

• Who are you (individual or team, team members’ names, email, Student V#, Faculty/Department/Year)? 
• Why are you interested in bringing this idea to life? 

5. There is a limit of one entry per eligible entrant.
6. Seven winners will be selected on Feb 23, 2026 from the entries by a judge panel based on the following criteria, and other criteria as the judge panel determines to be relevant.  Decisions of the judge panel are final.

Degree of innovation & creativity

• How original and forward-thinking is the idea?
• Does it introduce a new approach, technology, or concept that significantly improves library services, spaces, or digital tools?

Relevance & problem alignment with library priorities

• Does the pitch clearly identify a real challenge or opportunity within UVic Libraries or the student experience?
• Is the problem well-articulated and timely?

Impact & benefit to students and community

• Who benefits from this idea?
• What is the potential for meaningful social or academic impact?

Feasibility & implementation potential

• Could UVic Libraries realistically implement this idea in the near future?
• Are resources, partnerships, or technologies identified or implied?

Presentation & communication

• Is the pitch well-structured, clear, engaging, and convincing?
• Does it effectively convey the idea, its value, and its implementation approach?

• The selected winners will be contacted using the contact information provided in the entry. If the selected entrant(s) cannot be contacted within 5 days following the first attempt at contact, UVic will be released from awarding the prize to the entrant.

8. Entrants agree that their names may be announced on UVic's website and other associated media sites if they are selected as the winner of the competition.
9. Prize. There will be 7 (seven) prizes as follows:
   1. 1 (one) x $500 cash prize for the entrant
   2. 2 (two) X $250 cash prize for each entrant
   3. 4 (four) x $50 gift cards for each entrant

Note: Prizes are non-transferable and must be accepted as awarded.

10. If your entry is selected as a winner, at the discretion of UVic, the idea presented in the winning entry may be implemented by UVic at its library. In such event, you agree to grant UVic a non-exclusive, royalty-free, sub-licensable, irrevocable, perpetual license to implement the idea at UVic library.
11. Your personal information is collected for the purpose of entering and administering the Library Pitch competition under sections 26(c) the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. UVic will not share personal information relating to entrants with any third parties, except as may be required by law. UVic will not attempt to contact any entrants for any other purpose than as set out in these terms and conditions unless the entrant has consented to receive relevant communications from UVic or as otherwise allowed under applicable laws. If you have any questions, please contact: Aditi Gupta: aditig@uvic.ca or Emily Nickerson: enickerson@uvic.ca
12. UVic reserves the right to amend these competition rules or to terminate the competition at any time without any liability to any entrant.
13. Your participation in this competition is solely at your own risk. You are solely responsible for all cost you incur to enter this competition.
14. UVic assumes no liability for any loss, damage or injury, including but not limited to lost, stolen, delayed, damaged, misdirected, late, destroyed, ineligible or incomplete entries.
15. By entering this competition, each entrant agrees to release and hold harmless the University of Victoria, Instagram, Facebook and any of their representatives, agents, successors, assigns, employees, officers, and directors from any liability, illness, injury, death, loss, litigation, claim, or damage that may occur, directly or indirectly, whether caused by negligence or not, from: (i) such entrant’s participation in this competition and/or his/her acceptance, possession, use, or misuse of any prize or any portion thereof; (ii) technical failures of any kind, including but not limited to the malfunction of any computer, cable, network, hardware, or software, or other mechanical equipment; (iii) the unavailability or inaccessibility of any transmissions, telephone, or Internet service; (iv) unauthorized human intervention in any part of the entry process or the competition; (v)electronic or human error in the administration of the competition or the processing of entries
16. The decisions of UVic in relation to this competition will be final and binding on all entrants

Library Pitch Competition details and how to enter.

Prizes

Prize. There will be 7 (seven) prizes as follows

• 1 (one) x $500 cash prize for the entrant
• 2 (two) X $250 cash prize for each entrant
• 4 (four) x $50 gift cards for each entrant

Note: Prizes are non-transferable and must be accepted as awarded.

Seven winners will be selected on Feb 23, 2026 from the entries by a judge panel based on  the following criteria, and other criteria as the judge panel determines to be relevant.