Each spring the library hosts an Artists' Book Competition. SCAD students from any location may enter up to three artists' books that are made within one year of the competition deadline. A juror selects three award winning books and may award honorable mentions as well as other winning categories. All entries are displayed on the competition day and selected books will be in an exhibition at the library for the summer. Selected award-winning books are purchased by the library and added to the Artist's Book Collection.
The event typically includes a panel discussion, workshops for SCAD students, and a chance for participants to interact with all of the artists' books in the competition in a book fair environment with viewer's choice voting and award presentation.