Library Pitch Competition Winners
March 06, 2026
Winners Announced!
UVic Libraries and the UVic Innovation Centre are pleased to announce the results of the 2026 Library Pitch Competition. This year’s submissions showcased exceptional creativity, problem‑solving, and a deep understanding of student needs across campus. We are excited to share the winning ideas and the next steps as we begin exploring their potential implementation.
Winner:
Addtthya Verma
Department of Computer Science, Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science
BorrowNow is a real‑time equipment availability dashboard that allows students to check the status of items such as chargers and laptops directly through the library website. With features like proactive notifications and estimated return times, BorrowNow aims to reduce unnecessary trips to service points and lighten students’ cognitive load during busy study periods.
Runners up:
Mehdi Hosseini Dehaghani
Faculty of Social Sciences / Department of Sociology / PhD Student in Interdisciplinary Studies / 3rd Year
Living Map is a real‑time web and mobile application that provides an interactive floor plan of library spaces, including occupancy levels, noise zones, and accessibility features. Its “Find me a space” filter helps students quickly locate study environments that match their needs—whether it’s a quiet area, access to power outlets, or proximity to specific services.
Suhan Yoon
Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science; Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering; MTIS (Master of Engineering in Telecommunications & Information Security), 2nd year
Unfinished Shelf is a physical, interactive installation designed to celebrate the process of thinking. Students can post questions, partially formed ideas, or research sparks on shared boards, while library staff curate responses and suggest resources to help guide the early stages of inquiry and exploration.
UVic Libraries looks forward to exploring pathways toward implementing BorrowNow in collaboration with Addtthya and campus partners. Elements of the runner‑up projects and other submissions may also inform future service enhancements. We look forward to staying connected with all participants as we continue developing ideas inspired by this year's competition. Thank you to everyone who contributed their creativity and vision!
Calling All Students!
Do you have a bold idea to improve library services, spaces, or digital tools? Now it’s your chance to make it real and win up to $500.
We’re launching the Library Pitch Competition, a new student focused initiative inspired by successful campus programs like PitchIt and PlanIt—and developed in partnership with the UVic Innovation Centre. This competition invites students to pitch creative, forward-thinking ideas for UVic Libraries.
Whether you’re passionate about technology, accessibility, learning spaces, sustainability, or community impact, we want to hear your idea!
Submission details
What can you pitch?
We’re looking for proposals that could help us improve or reimagine library services, workflows, and experiences. Ideas could include:
- AI powered tools to enhance library services, research support, accessibility, or inclusion
- Digital tools or apps that support collaborative research, project management, or wayfinding
- Innovations that strengthen student–library relationships and foster belonging
- Flexible, differentiated learning spaces that respond to diverse study needs
- Services that deepen research skills, such as critical thinking, topic development, or citation insight
- Sustainability focused initiatives, including climate action, energy efficiency, or building performance improvements
- Applying existing ventures or innovations to the library context
- Ideas connected to Indigenization and Indigenous knowledge integration
Who can pitch?
- You must be a current UVic student
- Submissions may be from individuals or teams.
Important date
Submission Deadline: February 17
The pitch details
What to include in your submission
Students may submit their pitch as a written document (1–2 pages).
Your pitch should clearly address the following:
- The idea
- What are you proposing?
- Is it a tool, service, program, space, or platform?
- The problem or opportunity
- What challenge or need does this idea address within the library or student experience?
- Why does this matter now?
- Who it’s for & why it matters
- Who would benefit from this idea (e.g., students, staff, researchers, specific communities)?
- How does it improve access, inclusion, sustainability, or innovation?
- How it could work
- What would implementation look like at a high level?
- What resources, partnerships, or technologies might be involved?
- Your motivation
- Who are you (individual or team)?
- Why are you interested in bringing this idea to life?
You do not need a fully developed business plan—clarity, creativity, and impact matter most.
Ready to pitch?
What’s in it for you?
- Prizes awarded to up to three winning ideas plus other for participation.
- Hands on experiential learning and real-world pitching experience
- A chance to work with UVic Libraries and the UVic Innovation Centre
- Opportunities to lead your idea toward real implementation
- Build skills in innovation, collaboration, and project leadership
Ready to Pitch?
Your idea could help shape the future of the library—and make a lasting impact on the campus community.