Hognander Minnesota History Award

Hognander Minnesota History Award

The Hognander Minnesota History Award recognizes the author of the most outstanding scholarly work related to Minnesota history published during the preceding two years. The award, funded by the Hognander Family Foundation, is presented every two years.

This award stems from the Hognander family’s belief in the importance of studying and preserving history. As Joe Hognander notes, “We established this award because of our relationship with the Minnesota Historical Society. Its commitment to excellence is noteworthy in promoting scholarly research and writing. We hope this award will inspire more such activity by recognizing and rewarding the finest work in this field.”

Nomination Form

Nominations for Hognander Minnesota History Award

Nominations for the 2014 Award, for books published in 2012 or 2013, are open through December 13, 2013.

Important: Please read the eligibility requirements and entry guidelines before filling out the Nomination Form.

Eligibility Requirements:

  1. The entry must be a published, book-length work of new scholarship on the topic of Minnesota history by a single author or author team.
  2. The book must have an original publication date of 2012 or 2013.
  3. The book must have a bibliography and/or footnotes/endnotes.
  4. Works of oral history must provide context.
  5. Biographies of non-living subjects are acceptable.
  6. Anthologies containing work written by multiple authors are not eligible.
  7. Pictorial narratives, guide books, and encyclopedic compendia are not eligible.
  8. An English translation of a book originally written in another language is not eligible.
  9. A reprint of a book published in a previous award year is not eligible.
  10. Autobiographies and memoirs are not eligible.
  11. The author does not have to be a Minnesota resident.
  12. A book by a Minnesota author is eligible even if that same book has been nominated for and/or won another Minnesota Book Award.

Entry Guidelines

  1. An entry form must be completed for each submitted title.
  2. A book may be nominated by the book’s author, publisher or agent.
  3. Two (2) non-returnable copies of the book must be submitted with the nomination. These books become the property of the Minnesota Book Awards and will be donated to Minnesota public libraries following the judging process.
  4. The nomination form, a nomination narrative of no more than 500 words, a letter of critical review, and two copies of the book must be received by The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library’s office by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, December 13, 2013 in order for the book to be eligible.
  5. The letter of critical review should be from an unbiased reviewer and address the entry’s scholarship of work, quality of sources, and contribution to its field of state and local history. It should also include the reviewer’s resume/CV.
  6. Nomination materials may be emailed, mailed, or faxed. Materials may also be delivered in person between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. There is no entry fee associated with the nomination for this award.

Criteria for Evaluation

Entries will be judged on the following criteria:

  1. Quality of scholarship
  2. Factual accuracy and clarity of expression
  3. Original thinking
  4. Significance of the topic and overall contribution to the knowledge of Minnesota history

Contact information for submitting nomination materials and for questions is:

The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library
325 Cedar Street, Suite 555
Saint Paul, MN  55101-1055
Phone: 651-366-6497   Fax: 651-222-1988
Email: mnbookawards@thefriends.org

Download the Guidelines as a Word.doc  or  PDF

Nomination Form

Download Hognander Minnesota History Award nomination form as a Word.doc Download Hognander Minnesota History Award nomination form as a PDF

Download, print and complete the Hognander Minnesota History Award nomination form. (Click here for a PDF)

  1. Click here to download a Word document to your computer.
  2. A pop-up window will ask you whether you want to open the file or save it to your computer. Select the option that will save the document to your computer.
  3. Open your saved document and fill it out.
  4. Save the completed form to your computer.
  5. Send us the form by email, selecting and attaching your saved file.

Return the completed application form no later than Friday, December 13, 2013 to:

The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library
325 Cedar Street, Suite 555
Saint Paul, MN 55101-1055

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The Minnesota Book Awards is a project of The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library, in consortium with the Saint Paul Public Library and the City of Saint Paul. Outreach partners and supporting organizations include: MELSA, Minnesota Center for Book Arts, Minnesota Department of Education—State Library Services, and Minnesota Educational Media Organization.