What's your story? We want to know!

This summer, we have several ways for you to share your story. Tell us about life in Waterbury, or imagine a story that takes you beyond everyday life.

You can submit your story or art to one or all of the following:

Neighborhoods of the Present: COVID-19

We've teamed up with Shakesperience Productions to gather and share stories of life in Waterbury during COVID-19. You can tell your story in any format -- whatever form of creativity you prefer.

We're interested in hearing about your experiences in the present, during the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent quarantine. How are you handling isolation? Are you an essential worker? (If you are, we thank you!) Have you or your children created artwork to hang in your window? No matter what your story is or what art form you prefer, we want to see it! Submissions can be anything you like, including something that has been created during the quarantine. 

Submit your story using the online form provided by Shakesperience Productions. Entries may be used in a future theatrical production.

Imagine Your Story as a Comic

Create an original 3 to 6 panel comic strip telling your story or create a new story using your favorite characters from books you've read.

Submission information:

• Include the name of the cartoonist;
• Tell us if the cartoonist is a child, a teenager, or an adult;
• Send a photo of the finished comic strip to us no later than 4 p.m. on August 14;
• Submissions may be sent by email to bronsonlibrary@waterburyct.org or by filling out the online submission form.

Entries will be eligible to win prizes and may be posted to our social media accounts.

Winners will be notified no later than August 31.

Imagine Your Story as a Short Story

Write an original short story about something important to you, or create a new story using your favorite characters from books you've read.

Length: 500 to 5,000 words

Format: MS Word or PDF (handwritten is okay too, but must be legible)

Submission information:

• Include the name of the author;
• Tell us if the author is a child, a teenager, or an adult;
• Send the story to us no later than 4 p.m. on August 14;
• Submissions may be sent by email to bronsonlibrary@waterburyct.org or by filling out the online submission form.

Entries may be published online.

Winners will be notified no later than August 31.

Teen Video Challenge

The Teen Video Challenge is a national video contest open to all teens. The challenge is for teens to create a public services announcement-type video that show their unique interpretation of the 2020 summer reading slogan "Imagine Your Story."

Videos are to be no longer than 60 seconds and should promote libraries and reading.

Five winners will be chosen and will receive: a $200 cash prize, and $50 worth of summer reading material for their library.

Videos will be accepted June 1 through August 7. The submission form is online at the Collaborative Summer Library Program website.

You can also submit your video to us using our online form.

Any videos submitted directly to us will be eligible for additional prizes and may be posted to our social media.

KidZone Art Contest
Ages 4 - 14

Paint, draw, or color an image of your favorite fairy tale or fable, then send it to us by August 14 and be entered to win a prize!

Submission information:
• Include the name and age of the child who created the artwork;
• Send a photo of the artwork to us no later than 4 p.m. on August 14;
• Submission may be sent by email to bronsonkids@waterburyct.org or by filling out the online submission form.

Entries may be posted to our social media accounts.