UAlberta Libraries Annual Don’t Judge a Book By Its Cover event starts October 28!



Don’t Judge a Book by Its Cover is an annual event hosted by the University of Alberta Libraries that aims to shed light on underrepresented groups. As a twist on regular book displays, books are wrapped in brown paper and teaser keywords are written on the front. This wrapping symbolizes the marginalization of the group, and puts the focus on the content of the story.



This year we are celebrating authors from East and Southeast Asian countries, and their diasporas, by featuring over 400 books on display at 8 libraries!

Stop in at one of our participating libraries: Rutherford, Coutts, Winspear, Cameron, Scott, Weir, Bibliothèque Saint-Jean and Augustana; October 28 - November 8 and pick up something new to read.


We value your feedback! Fill in our Don’t Judge a Book By Its Cover survey and be entered to win 1 of 3 books featured in this year’s displays. Official rules below.

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1. CONTEST: The “Don’t Judge a Book by its Cover” Contest (the “Contest”) is conducted by The Governors of the University of Alberta (“UAlberta”) and administered on behalf of UAlberta by the University of Alberta Libraries (“UAL”).  The Contest is for participants to complete a survey about their experience in the “Don’t Judge a Book by its Cover” event (“Event”).  In Fall 2019, the Event will be featuring Asian authors.  Participants will be invited via email to complete the survey.  At the end of the survey, they have the opportunity to enter the Contest, in accordance with the eligibility criteria as set out in these Official Rules.

2. ELIGIBILITY: To be eligible for the Contest (an “Eligible Entrant”) you must be: 

a. Eighteen (18) years of age or older;
b. A participant of the Event and who has completed the survey.

You are not eligible for the Contest if you are a resident of Quebec or if you are an employee of UAL, including a member of the immediate family (defined as mother, father, brothers, sisters, sons, daughters and husband or wife, regardless of where they reside) or household of any of the above persons, their respective affiliates, agents, licensors, associates or representatives.  You are also not eligible for the Contest if you have not participated in the Event.  All decisions regarding eligibility to enter this Contest and the Entry Forms will be determined by UAlberta its sole discretion.  This Contest is void where prohibited by law. 

3. NUMBER, APPROXIMATE VALUE OF PRIZE AND CHANCES OF WINNING: There are three (3) prizes available to be won in this Contest (a “Prize”; collectively “Prizes”).  The Prizes are described in paragraph 9 below.  The chances of winning a Prize will depend on the number of Eligible Entrants received in accordance with these Official Rules during the Entry Period as defined herein.

4. CONTEST SCHEDULE: This Contest commences on Monday, October 28, 2019 at 9:00 a.m. (Edmonton Time) and closes on Friday, November 29, 2019 at 5:00 p.m. (Edmonton Time) (the “Entry Period”). Entry Forms must be received by UAL before the contest closing time, which is Friday, November 29, 2019 at 5:00 p.m. (Edmonton Time) (the “Contest Closing Time”) to be eligible to win the Prize.

5. HOW TO ENTER: No purchase is necessary to enter this Contest. To enter, the following rules apply:

a. Participants will be asked to complete the “Don’t Judge a Book by its Cover” Survey, upon completion of the Survey, and will be directed to the following online google Entry Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd51MYFG_h29ittnWstU9NaYFqYhBvDZ5jAjrNbgE23IkskuA/viewform?usp=sf_link (the “Entry Form”).  Each Eligible Entrant may only enter the Contest once.

Once submitted, all Entry Forms become the property of UAlberta and will not be returned. All Entry Forms will be reviewed, and any Entry Forms which are deemed to be late, illegible, incomplete, inaccurate, inappropriate, offensive, plagiarized, subject to copyright or other intellectual property considerations, do not meet the Alberta Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (“FOIPP”) or privacy considerations, as set out in paragraph 18 herein, and otherwise, or which are deemed to not enhance the reputation of UAlberta, will be disqualified.  The determination of whether an Entry Form is illegible, incomplete, offensive, late, or deemed not to enhance the reputation of UAlberta will be in the sole discretion of UAL. 

6. PRIZE DRAW DETAILS: The draw will take place on Monday, December 2, 2019 at 9:00 a.m. (Edmonton Time).  The Eligible Entrants who’s Entry Form is drawn at random and has complied with these Official Rules, including without limitation the provisions of paragraph 8 will be declared a Winner.  If necessary, should a Prize be unclaimed, or should a Winner be unwilling, unable or ineligible to win the Prize as set out in these Official Rules, the Prize will be forfeited and UAlberta shall have the right, but not the obligation, to draw, as replacements only, an additional prize winner(s).  All participants (including without limitation Eligible Entrants and Winners) must comply with these Official Rules.  The determination of the Winners by UAlberta is final and binding.  No communication with Eligible Entrants will be entered into except with the Winners which will be selected in accordance with these Official Rules.  All matters related to the Contest and the verification of the eligibility of the Eligible Entrants and Winners will be conducted by UAlberta, or by persons designated by UAlberta in its sole and absolute discretion.  All decisions made by UAlberta in this regard are final and binding and cannot be challenged.

7. NOTIFICATION: UAlberta will notify the Winners via email on Monday, December 2, 2019 by 10:00 a.m. (Edmonton time).  UAL will contact the Winners using the information provided by an Eligible Entrant with the Entry Form.  If a Winner does not contact UAL by Sunday, December 8, 2019 at 9:00 p.m. (Edmonton Time), UAL shall have the right, but not the obligation, to select an alternative Winner. 

8. DECLARATION OF WINNER: An Eligible Entrant(s) will not be declared a winner in accordance with these Official Rules unless and until:

a. UAL has verified that the winner is an Eligible Entrant pursuant to these Official Rules; and
b. The Eligible Entrant correctly answers a skill-testing question as set out in these Official Rules.

Once these requirements have taken place, the Eligible Entrants will be declared the winners (the “Winners”).  

9. PRIZE: There will be three (3) Prizes, all of which are books titled “An Ocean of Minutes” by Thea Lim, each valued in the amount of $24.70 (CDN).  The total value of all Prizes is $74.10 (CDN).  The Prizes are not transferable and must be accepted as awarded with no substitutions, except at the UAlberta’s sole discretion.  UAlberta reserves the right to substitute the Prize of equivalent monetary value if UAlberta is unable to award the Prize as described. UAlberta will not be responsible, however, if factors beyond the UAlberta’s reasonable control prevents the Prize from being fulfilled.  In any such event, the Winners will not be provided with a substitute prize or cash equivalent.  The Prizes will only be granted to the verified Winners.  The Winners of the Prizes will be required to pick up the Prizes in person at the Rutherford Library Service Desk.

10. SKILL TESTING QUESTION: To win a Prize, the Eligible Entrant must correctly answer unaided, the mathematical, time-limited, skill-testing question as follows: 70 multiplied by 3 divided by 2 =______ prior to being declared a Winner.

11. CONTEST MODIFICATION OR CANCELLATION: UAlberta reserves the right, without prior notice and at any time, to delay, or terminate the Contest, in whole or in part, or modify, suspend, amend or extend the Contest in any way, in its sole discretion including without limitation if UAlberta determines that the Contest is not practicable or is impaired or corrupted or that fraud or technical problems, failures or malfunctions (including without limitation, computer viruses, glitches or printing or production errors) have destroyed or severely undermined the proper conduct, integrity, and/or feasibility of the Contest. In the event UAL is prevented from continuing with the Contest as contemplated herein by any event beyond its control, including but not limited to fire, flood, natural or man-made epidemic or health or other means, earthquake, explosion, labour dispute or strike, act of God or public enemy, riot or civil disturbance, terrorist threat or activity, war or any federal, provincial or local government law, order, or regulation, public health crisis, the order of any court or jurisdiction, or by any other cause not reasonably within UAlberta’s control (each a “Force Majeure” event), then subject to any governmental approval which may be required, UAlberta shall have the right to modify, suspend, extend or terminate the Contest.

12. PARTICIPATION: Participation in this Contest constitutes an agreement by each Eligible Entrant to comply with these Official Rules.

13. DISQUALIFICATION: It is the participant’s responsibility to ensure that he/she has complied in full with all of the conditions and requirements contained in these Official Rules. If any potential winner is found to be ineligible, or if he or she has not complied with these Official Rules or declines the Prize, whatever the case may be, for any reason prior to award, such potential winner will be disqualified and, in UAlberta’s sole discretion, an alternate Winner may be selected. No mechanically reproduced, illegible, incomplete, forged, software generated or other automated multiple entries will be accepted.  UAlberta reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to disqualify any individual who is found to be tampering or attempting to tamper with the entry process or the operation of the Contest; or violating the terms of use and or general rules or guidelines of the UAlberta or to be acting in a violation of these Official Rules; or to be acting in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner, or with the intent to disrupt or undermine the legitimate operation of this Contest, or to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass any other person. UAlberta reserves the right to seek damages and other remedies from any such person to the fullest extent permitted by law. ATTENTION: ANY ATTEMPT TO DELIVERATELY DAMAGE OR TO UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THE CONTEST MAY BE A VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAWS. SHOULD SUCH AN ATTEMPT BE MADE, UALBERTA RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SEEK REMEDIES AND DAMAGES TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO CRMINAL PROSECUTION.

14. RELEASE AND INDEMNIFICATION: By entering the Contest, each participant: (a) releases and agrees to hold UAlberta and its respective directors, officers, employees, and agents harmless from and against any and all costs, injuries, losses or damages of any kind, including, without limitation, bodily injury and property damage, or any other damage or loss, due in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, to participation in this Contest, any Contest related activity, or from acceptance, possession, use or misuse of any Prize, or participation in any Prize related activity; and (b) agrees to fully indemnify UAlberta and its respective directors, officers, employees, and agents from any and all claims on the part of any third party or parties related in any way and for any reason to the Contest or the Prize including, without limitation, death, and personal or property damage or injury.

15. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY: UAlberta assumes no responsibility or liability for incorrect, damaged, illegible, incomplete, mutilated, spoiled, destroyed, stolen, misplaced, lost, late, misdirected or incomplete Entry Forms, which may be judged void, any notifications, responses, replies, or for any computer, telephone, hardware, software or technical malfunctions that may occur. UAlberta assumes no responsibility for any theft or destruction or unauthorized access to, or alteration of, Entry Forms. UAlberta is not responsible for any injury or damage to participants in this Contest.

16. OFFICIAL RULES AND LAWS: These are the official rules (the “Official Rules”). This Contest is governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the Province of Alberta and federal laws of Canada applicable therein and the parties hereby attorn to the jurisdiction of the courts of the Province of Alberta. In the event a court determines that this Choice of Law clause is invalid or unenforceable as against an Entry Form, such Entry Form will be void. These Contest rules are subject to change without notice in order to comply with any applicable federal, provincial and municipal laws or the policy of any other entity having jurisdiction over the UAlberta. These Official Rules, as amended from time to time, will be posted on the website at https://library.ualberta.ca/.

17. CONSTRUCTION: Words importing the singular shall include the plural and vice versa.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of these Official Rules shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision. In the event that any provision is determined to be invalid or otherwise unenforceable or illegal, these Official Rules shall otherwise remain in effect and be construed in accordance with their terms as if the invalid or illegal provision were not contained in these Official Rules. Headings and captions are used in these Official Rules solely for ease of reference, and shall not be deemed to affect in any manner the meaning or intent of these Official Rules or any provision hereof. These Official Rules cannot be modified or amended in any way except in writing by a duly authorized representative of the UAlberta. Employees of UAlberta are not authorized to modify, amend or waive these Official Rules.

18. PRIVACY: The personal information requested pursuant to these Official Rules is collected, used and disclosed under the authority of the Alberta Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (“FOIPP”) and will be protected in accordance with Part 2 of that Act. It will be collected, used and disclosed for the purpose of administration of the Contest.   All personal information collected for the purposes of administration of the Contest will be retained for two (2) years from the closing of the Contest.  Direct any questions about this collection, use or disclosure to: Amy Southgate at southgat@ualberta.ca.

Staff profiles tell the story of an organization. Here at the University of Alberta Libraries, this is ours...

Meet Kaitlyn, Sarah, Kathy & Carol!
Kaitlyn Hill, Sarah Chomyc, Kathy Urban and Carol Rodgers make up our Monograph Acquisitions Team.

We are all very grateful that our team has been recognized in this fashion and consider this very positive feedback to the work we do every day! The award itself will serve as a reminder of what we’ve accomplished in the past year, and as an incentive to continue to work together to provide the best service possible to our Library and its users.

What does a monograph acquisition team do day to day?
A large part of our day is taken up by ordering, but it is more complicated than it might look at first glance, as we order many obscure items. The ordering process is more like detective work as we try to find a vendor that sells the requested item, and we end up ordering from all over the world. We can spend a day ordering from vendors in Alberta, Norway, and India all in one day! Other things we do are more behind the scenes tasks that bring materials to the area libraries, such as checking in periodicals, and helping staff and patrons troubleshoot problems with electronic resources. We also open the mail, which involves testing out the puppets and robots that we order! Working on the monograph acquisition team is really a challenging and exciting position, and often a new surprise pops up every day!

You must have some neat things coming through acquisitions. Any summer reading recommendations you can share with us?
Yikes!  We’ve been too busy ordering and haven’t had time to read anything to recommend. We have been testing out robots and puppets instead. However, we have been ordering some books for the Don’t Judge a Book By Its Cover project, so we definitely suggest checking some of those titles out once the event begins.

Check out our previous 2017 and 2018 Don’t Judge a Book By Its Cover events.

What are your plans for the trophy?
We will most likely purchase a grand trophy case made of marble from Italy, 24k gold handles, with proper air ventilation. Just kidding. It's currently sitting on top of Carol's desk hutch which provides a great vantage point for us all to admire it and remind ourselves to keep working hard to better our patrons’ experiences with the University Libraries!


Feel free to recommend a purchase for anything you find missing from our catalogue, and our Monograph Acquisition Team will try to get it for you, whether from Canada, internationally, or across seas😃👍