USC Libraries Publications

Outstanding Academic Papers by Students (OAPS)

Outstanding Academic Papers by Students is a collaborative program between the USC Libraries and USC Writing Program to recognize excellence in student scholarship at the University of Southern California.

OAPS 2023–2024

OAPS 2018–2019

OAPS 2016–2017

OAPS 2015

OAPS 2014

OAPS 2013


The World is Just a Book Away

Published in 2017, The World is Just a Book Away is an anthology that captures how books and reading inspired some of the world’s most prominent people. It features personal stories from five Nobel Peace Prize laureates, actors, royalty, world leaders, scientists, humanitarians, and many more. 

Details here.
Available for purchase here.


The Liddell Book of Letters

This unique work reproduces in facsimile Kelly Combs's winning entry from the USC Libraries Wonderland Award competition. Her Liddell Book of Letters ingeniously employed mirror writing in the form of a very "Carrollian" kind of grade school alphabet primer. Whimsical touches abound throughout. A scholarly introduction by Professor Catherine Robson situates Combs's work within the history of primers and backward writing. 
Available for purchase here


The Liddell Book of Poetry

In this volume, 44 entries from the first ten years of the USC Libraries Wonderland Award competition are gathered. Illustrated works, haikus, music lyrics, poetry, and poetry-adjacent submissions show off the ingenuity of our USC students in interpreting the works of Lewis Carroll. 
Available for purchase here.