Student Essay Contest 2025

Submit to the 2025 Theological Librarianship Student Essay Contest

The editorial board of Theological Librarianship, an online, open-access journal of Atla, invites submissions of original essays from undergraduate and graduate students. The winning essay will be published in the Fall 2025 issue of Theological Librarianship. 

Submissions will be accepted from any student currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program, regardless of discipline. Essays should not exceed 5000 words (including notes) and should address topics within the intersection of librarianship and religious and theological studies or potentially impacting libraries.  This includes (but is not limited to) resources available for the study of religion and theology, digital techniques and tools for research in the area of religious or theological studies, and trends in academic librarianship. 

Please note that unrevised course assignments or term papers will not be considered. Student authors are encouraged to consult with their institution's writing center or a faculty mentor to revise their work for submission to the journal.

Students interested in submitting are encouraged to review the journal archives to understand the publication's scope. The winning entry from 2023 and from 2021 are also available to read.  All submissions should follow the guidelines outlined on the journal’s website. Additionally, students should submit a statement indicating where they are currently enrolled, the degree program they are pursuing, and their expected graduation date.

The editorial board will select the essay contest winner based on the clarity of the argument, the quality of the contribution to librarianship in general, and theological librarianship in particular, and the relevance of the subject matter for the journal’s readers. 

The author of the winning essay will receive a $500 U.S. cash prize and a complimentary registration and travel grant, if applicable, to attend the 2026 Atla Annual Conference. Proof of current graduate or undergraduate enrollment will be required upon notification of selection as the winner of the contest.

Submissions are due no later than June 1, 2025, and should be submitted through the online portal at https://serials.atla.com/theolib.  Please direct all inquiries or questions to tlgroup@myatla.com.