Burlington Bookmarks Contest is on!

By Gazette Staff

January 19th, 2026

BURLINGTON, ON

Burlington, Ontario—Calling all artists and book lovers, young and old—Burlington Public Library’s annual Burlington Bookmarks Contest is underway! Every year, local residents are invited to break out the crayons and markers and design a bookmark based on a literary theme.

This year, your challenge is to create a design inspired by a book you love.

How It Works

Entrants must live, work, or attend school in Burlington. Pick up a paper submission form at any Burlington Public Library branch or download one online through BPL’s contest web page. You can create your original hand-drawn artwork using markers, crayons, pencils, pastels, or paint. Your design will be considered as long as it stays inside the bookmark outline.

Submit your bookmark at your local branch or upload it to the library’s website by February 23, 2026, to be considered. Finalists will be chosen in five age categories, and their designs will be posted online for public voting from March 4 to 11.

Spread the Love of Reading

These are winning entries from the 2023 challenge.

What do the winners get? The joy of spreading the love of reading! The five winning bookmarks will be professionally printed and available at all BPL branches for customers to enjoy in their next great read.

Follow Along Online

Keep tabs on the contest by checking the library’s website and social media channels (@BurlOnLibrary) for contest updates and voting.

If you want to make sure you get your hands on one of this year’s winning bookmarks, keep a close eye out! The free bookmarks will be available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last.

Burlington Bookmark Contest web page