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Louise Ratliff chairs the Campbell Student Book Collection Competition, which rewards students fo

Most students have fond recollections of starting their first collection. Whether it was of comics or coins, television memorabilia or pogs, collections are a way to express and develop one’s interests.

The long-established Campbell Competition here at UCLA, which builds upon this joy of collecting, creates a forum for students interested in book collection to share their passions.

Established in 1948, the annual Robert B. and Blanche Campbell Student Book Collection Competition, one of the oldest such competitions in the country, has been providing students interested in book collecting a way to display their work and also rewarding them for their collection.

The goal of the competition is to increase student interest in book collecting and reading, and it encourages students to pursue their love of books, said Louise Ratliff, chair of the competition.

“It gives them a venue to present and display their books and for them to showcase their collection. ... It is sharing with other interested people your love of your subject,” Ratliff said.

Jennifer Kish, a first-year master’s student who attended the workshop, discussed how important the competition is to her.

“(I am) able to announce my passion to others. ... It makes students aware that books are a vital part of everyday life,” Kish said.

Now entering its 57th year, the Campbell Competition was established by UCLA librarian Lawrence Powell, who suggested it to Robert Campbell as a means to stimulate interest in book collecting and reading.

Robert Campbell was the original bookseller to UCLA, and after the university campus moved to Westwood Village in 1929, he moved his bookshop from Vermont Avenue to Westwood. The Campbells eventually sold the chain in 1974, 50 years after their first shop opened.

To enter the competition, students must submit a one-page statement about their book collection, a bibliography of the books in their collection, an additional annotated bibliography that lists up to 10 additional books they would like to add to their collection in the future, and a completed application form.

Students pick the themes of their collections, which can include up to 50 books, and are judged based upon the substance of their collections, not necessarily the rarity of the books.

There are five separate cash prizes, ranging from $150 to $500, given out in the competition.

The prize categories include two winners in the graduate entry category, two winners in the undergraduate category, and an honorable mention prize funded by the Library Staff Association.

An Outstanding Children’s Books prize is awarded in the years that an exceptional children’s book collection is entered. Clarice Campbell Olcott, daughter of the late Robert and Blanche Campbell, funds the $500 prize.

The guest judge this year will be Evan Kleiman, host of KCRW’s Saturday morning radio program “Good Food,” owner of Angeli Caffe on Melrose Avenue and author of numerous cookbooks, including “Pasta Fresca” and “Cucina Rustica.”

Not only will Kleiman be judging the entries, but she will also be speaking at the awards banquet, which will take place on April 27.

Though the deadline for entries is not until April 13, a book-collecting workshop was recently held to give students a means to learn about book collecting and how to write bibliographies.

Danna Schacter, a staff member of the UCLA Education and Information School who attended the workshop, described her love of book collecting and reading.

“I like to be able to see my collection on my shelves. Each book I read has an effect on me,” said Schacter.

Students interested in entering the contest and sharing their work with others can visit the Campbell Competition Web site or contact the UCLA library for further information.

With reports from Lee Bialik, Bruin reporter.