(CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – For the first time, the Alabama Virtual Library (AVL) Council is sponsoring “My AVL Story” video contest.

The Alabama Virtual Library provides Alabama students, teachers and citizens with online access to essential library and information resources. Primarily a group of online databases, the resources include magazine, journal and newspaper articles for research.

Contest organizers are encouraging AVL patrons of all ages and locations to enter the competition. AVL patrons have many stories that are noteworthy.

Some patrons of AVL are unemployed adults who access the resources during a job search. By researching at home, an expectant mom and dad can explore options for their child’s delivery methods. Or, a youth in middle school can research works of poetry.

In addition, a university student can gain facts to finish a thesis paper, or a home-schooling mother can seek out the best materials for in-home study. Whatever the story, AVL officials want to hear the experience.

The contest closes March 13th. Participants must read all guidelines at www.avl.lib.al.us/video_contest and post their video to an online hosting site, such as TeacherTube, YouTube, Vimeo or Google Drive.

To select winners, a panel of judges will review and evaluate all entries based on creativity, quality of video and effectiveness in explaining a personal AVL story. Judges will name the Top 10, and anyone can vote for their favorite at Facebook/Alabama Virtual Library.

The top videographers will win prizes ranging from GoPro Cameras to Chromebooks to gift certificates.

AVL is comprised of five agencies: Alabama State Department of Education, Alabama Public Library Service, Alabama Commission on Higher Education, Department of Post-Secondary Education and Alabama Supercomputer Authority.

Madison Public Library’s staff plans to promote the contest in coming weeks.

For more information, visit www.avl.lib.al.us.