Instruction & Research Help at OU Libraries

This annual prize recognizes up to two students who have most successfully integrated library resources, discovered through their own research, into a course paper or project. Library resources can include the following:

• Journal, newspaper, or magazine articles
• Ebooks or print books
• Archival materials or special collections

The award consists of a $1750 scholarship prize for first place and $1250 prize for second place; prizes are applied directly to tuition. Please consult the office of Student Financial Services for any financial aid ramifications. All financial resources a student receives before and after a financial aid package is created, must be included when determining financial aid eligibility. Although all financial aid awards cannot exceed the estimated cost of attendance or financial need as established by FAFSA, they usually improve the overall quality of the financial aid package. Students with questions concerning financial aid are encouraged to contact OU Student Financial Services at 248-370-2550 or email finservices@oakland.edu.

• Only individual work is eligible. Group papers or projects will not be considered.
• Only one submission per student.
• Students must be enrolled at Oakland University at the time the award is presented (Winter 2026).
• The paper or project must have been completed for courses taken in the Winter, Summer, or Fall 2025 semesters.
• Papers or projects must include a bibliography, list of works cited, footnotes or other bibliographic system according to recognized style guides.
• Most Honors College theses are not eligible because papers must have been completed during the previous calendar year and students must be currently enrolled at the time of the award.
• Graduating seniors are eligible only if they are enrolled in OU graduate studies the following Summer or Fall terms.

Submissions will be accepted for the 2026 award from December 8, 2025 through January 31, 2026.

Nomination Procedure

Student papers/projects can be nominated by faculty or self-nominated by students by filling out the nomination form.

Faculty-nominated papers/projects:

• Faculty members nominating students must complete the nomination form, which includes a description of the original assignment. Faculty may submit multiple nominations.
• The Award Committee will contact students who have been nominated. Students are then responsible for completing and submitting the online student nomination form and providing a final version of their paper or project.

Student self-nominated papers/projects:

• Students self-nominating must complete the nomination form, which includes directions for uploading the final version of the paper or project.
• The paper or project must be the same as the one submitted in the course.
• The Award Committee will contact course instructors for confirmation.

Successful papers or projects will demonstrate effective application of information literacy principles according to the ULO on Information Literacy:

OU graduates are information literate citizens who reflectively find and evaluate information, understand how that information is produced and valued, and use information responsibly and ethically to create new knowledge and participate as lifelong learners in society. They effectively integrate relevant information sources to build new, or add to existing, public or professional understandings.

If you have any questions about this award, please contact:

Shawn Lombardo
Associate Professor
Kresge Library
Email: lombardo@oakland.edu
Phone:  248-370-2493