Feinberg Library Research Prize

The Feinberg Library Research Prize recognizes student excellence in library research. Winners receive a cash prize and may publish their paper in the library's open access repository. Faculty are encouraged to nominate students for the prize.

In 2025, for the first time, there will be two winners: an undergraduate and a graduate student.

Nominations and applications are encouraged between October and March each year.

We award this prize each year as part of our celebration of National Library Week.

What is the prize?

This annual prize recognizes student excellence in library research. Submissions must be for a project completed in a 300- or 400-level course for the undergraduate prize and a graduate level course for the graduate prize.

Winners receive:

• $500 (applied to their college bill)
• a certificate
• publication of their submission in the SUNY Open Access Repository

Runners-up receive honorable mention.

Who is eligible?

All applicants are required to be nominated by a SUNY Plattsburgh faculty member. Current students are eligible to apply. Students who have graduated may also submit applications, providing their projects were completed during the allowable submission period.

How can faculty nominate students and students apply?

There are two parts to the application: one for nominating faculty and one for students.

• Faculty may begin by suggesting application to students whom they would like to nominate.
• Students should discuss their intentions with faculty and request nominating support.

Next steps:

• Faculty — submit the online Nomination Form, indicating the content and quality of the project and how it resulted from a thorough use of library resources.
• Students — submit the online Application Form along with a brief written reflection summarizing the research strategy and process used in the project.

How is the prize awarded?

The Library Research Prize is awarded based on a determination of the quality of the research conducted for a project completed as part of an upper-level credit-bearing course at SUNY Plattsburgh. The award will be judged by a panel of SUNY Plattsburgh faculty using criteria that fall under the three categories listed below.

• Process — assesses the choice of thesis and the process used to develop and collect information to provide supporting evidence of the thesis, including the use of search tools and library resources and the search techniques applied.
• Sources — examines the ability to locate, select, evaluate and synthesize library resources and to use them in the creation of a project. It looks at the depth and/or breadth in the use of library collections.
• Project — assesses the originality of the research and/or whether the research has the potential to lead to original research in the future.

Criteria within each category will be assessed in terms of whether the student has exhibited beginning, competent, or excellent skills in the context of their topic, assignment, and discipline. The panel will review for evidence of the applicant’s research strategy, research process and personal learning, as evidenced in the project and bibliography. Expectations for achievement will be commensurate with the requirements of the academic discipline.

How is the prize funded?

Funding for this prize is provided through the charitable support of the Plattsburgh College Foundation. If you would like to help keep funding for this honor viable, then we invite you to make a gift now.

Contact Information

For more information about the Feinberg Library Research Prize, please contact the prize committee co-chairs:

Holly Heller-Ross, Librarian, SUNY WIT Founder, SUNY Plattsburgh
0301 Feinberg Library, 101 Broad Street, Plattsburgh, NY 12901
Phone: 518-564-5192
Email: hellerhb@plattsburgh.edu

Dr. Andrew Buckser, Professor of Anthropology, SUNY Plattsburgh
Phone: 518-564-3150
Email: abuck005@plattsburgh.edu