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TECHLink Music & Video Contest — Official Rules 

By entering the TECHLink Music & Video Contest (“Contest”), entrants agree to abide by these Official Rules and the decisions of the Houston Public Library (“HPL” or “Sponsor”), which are final and binding in all matters related to the Contest. 

1. Eligibility 

The Contest consists of two competitions, one for Music and one for Video. Entrants may participate individually or as part of a Team (maximum four (4) members). For entries submitted on behalf of a single individual, “Entrant” or “Primary Entrant” means the individual whose name and contact information appears on the entry form. For entries submitted by a Team, “Entrant” means all members of the Team, individually and collectively, and “Primary Entrant” means the designated agent for the Team who will complete the entry form and serve as the contact for communications.  

The Contest is open to HPL cardholders with an active TECHLink membership, ages 13 and older at the time of entry. Participants under age 18 must provide parent/guardian consent.  Contest is open to all participants except employees, contractors, and volunteers of City of Houston, as well as their immediate family members (spouses, parents, siblings, and children).   

For the purposes of this contest, "staff" includes any individual who is currently employed by, contracted with, or volunteering for City of Houston, regardless of their position or role.   

Immediate family members of staff, including spouses, parents, siblings, and children, are also ineligible to participate in the contest. This includes any individuals residing in the same household as the staff member.   

Each Entrant (and all Team members, if applicable) must use an HPL TECHLink location at least three (3) separate times during the creative process (logged by TECHLink check-in or reservation records).  

All Entrants must comply with HPL conduct and content policies. Sponsor reserves the right to verify eligibility at any time and may request documentation. Failure to provide satisfactory proof of eligibility may result in disqualification.  

 

2. Contest Period 

The Contest opens September 1, 2026, and closes October 17, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. Central Standard Time (CST) (the “Contest Period”). Judging will occur October 19 -October 30, 2026, and the Awards Showcase will be held on November 7, 2026 at Hiram-Clarke Multiservice Center.  

 

3. How to Enter 

Step 1: During the Contest Period, book and use TECHLink studios/equipment for production following standard TECHLink reservation procedures. Staff may provide equipment assistance but cannot contribute creatively to entries.  

Step 2: Create your original Music or Video entry in accordance with Section 5 (Entry Criteria and Objectives).  

Step 3: Complete the official Contest entry form (individual or Team), including contact information for the Primary Entrant and, if applicable, the names of all Team members. Minors must submit required parent/guardian consent forms.  

Step 4: Submit your final files in person at an HPL TECHLink location. HPL staff will upload your entry to the designated Contest Drive, with secondary backup to an HPL shared cloud folder. Files must be submitted no later than the close of the Contest Period. Entrants are responsible for ensuring files are exported at the end of each TECHLink session; TECHLink is not responsible for stored files.  

Limits: One (1) submission per category (Music and Video) per Entrant/Team. Additional entries beyond these limits are void.  

 

4. Important Reminders

All entries must be original and adhere to HPL public conduct and content policies (e.g., no hate speech, explicit content, violence, or illegal activity). Do not include brand names or trademarks in any submission. All visual and audio elements must be original or legally licensed; do not use copyrighted samples unless they are open-source or you have clear rights to use them. If you have obtained the rights to use copyrighted audio/visual elements, you must provide proof in writing.   

Entries must reflect actual use of TECHLink resources (e.g., studios, equipment), and Entrants must have at least three (3) logged TECHLink visits contributing to their creative process. TECHLink staff will manually log each TECHLink visit for registered participants.  

 

5. Entry Criteria and Objectives

Entries should showcase creative excellence and technical proficiency while highlighting the artistic potential of the TECHLink program and resources. 

 

Music entries must: 

• Be original compositions created by the Entrant/Team using TECHLink resources. 
• Have a length of 2–5 minutes. 
• Use accepted file formats: MP3 or WAV. 
• Include only audio elements that are original or legally licensed (no unlicensed samples). 
• Comply with content restrictions (no indecent, obscene, hateful, defamatory, violent, discriminatory, or political content; no brand names/trademarks).  

 

Video entries must: 

• Be an original short film or creative video. 
• Have a length of 2–5 minutes (including credits). 
• Use accepted file formats: .MP4 or .MOV. 
• Include only visual and audio elements that are original or legally licensed. 
• Comply with content restrictions (no indecent, obscene, hateful, defamatory, violent, discriminatory, or political content; no brand names/trademarks).  
   

Submission Method:

TECHLink staff will assist contestants by uploading final files to the Contest hard drive (two per location) and a shared cloud folder as secondary backup. All uploads must be submitted via TECHLink staff by the close of the Contest Period (October 17, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. CST).  
 

TECHLink Use Summary:

Entrants should provide a brief, one-page overview of the project and their experience using TECHLink resources.  

 

6. Judging Criteria

All eligible entries will be judged by a panel of local artists, media professionals, and HPL staff on the basis of the following equally weighted criteria: 

• Creativity & Originality 
• Technical Quality (audio/video production) 
• Storytelling or Musical Composition 
• Overall Impact 
• Adherence to Time Requirements 

In the event of a tie, the Sponsor may use an additional tiebreaking judge to determine the winner based on the foregoing criteria. 

 

7. Winner Notification and Verification

Potential winners will be notified on or about November 2, 2026, via the contact information provided by the Primary Entrant. Finalists are invited to attend the Award Showcase on November 7, 2026, where the winning entries will be announced and prizes awarded. If Entrant(s) are unable to attend the Award Showcase, the winning Entrant(s) (and all Team members, if applicable) must claim their prize at TECHLink within 10 business days. If the selected winner(s) does not claim their prize within 10 business days of being notified, the prize will be forfeited. In the event of a forfeiture, a new winner will be contacted. If any Team member is disqualified, the entire Team may be disqualified at the Sponsor’s sole discretion.  

 

8. Prizes

Sponsor intends to award prizes in each category for Teen and Adult divisions, subject to eligibility and available inventory. Prizes will be awarded at the Award Showcase on November 7, 2026, or may be picked up within 10 business days at TECHLink.  
 

Teen Division (ages 13–17) 

Music:  

• Grand Prize — Macbook Neo  
• 1st Runner Up – BEATS Solo4 Headphones 

Video:  

• Grand Prize — Macbook Neo  
• 1st Runner Up – BEATS Solo4 Headphones 

 

Adult Division (ages 18+)

Music:  

• Grand Prize — Macbook Neo  
• 1st Runner Up – BEATS Solo4 Headphones 

Video:  

• Grand Prize — Macbook Neo  
• 1st Runner Up – BEATS Solo4 Headphones 

 

Participation Prize (all eligible entrants): 

One (1) extended 4hour TECHLink reservation or two (2) standard 2 hour TECHLink reservations. 
Winners will also receive recognition at a public showcase and awards ceremony held on November 7, 2026 at Hiram-Clarke Multiservice Center. 

 

9. Prize Conditions

If a prizewinning entry was submitted by a Team, the prize will be awarded as single prize to the members listed on the entry form. No substitution of any prize is offered, and prizes are nontransferable. Sponsor reserves the right to substitute a prize of equal or greater value if any prize becomes unavailable. Winners must provide Sponsor with the original files and all associated project assets upon request. Failure to comply may result in disqualification and selection of an alternate winner.  

 

10. Grant of Rights and Publicity 

Copyright: Entrants retain full copyright in and to their works. By entering, Entrants grant Sponsor and its designees a nonexclusive, worldwide, perpetual, irrevocable, royalty free license to use, edit, adapt, modify, reproduce, publicly display, publish, publicly perform, transcode, and distribute their Music or Video entries (and related materials) in any media now known or hereafter developed for noncommercial and promotional purposes in connection with TECHLink and HPL programming and outreach. Any such use will credit the creator where practicable.  

Publicity: Winners further grant Sponsor and its designee’s permission to use their name and image, in connection with the Contest and any promotional activities, without additional compensation or notice where permitted by law. 

 

11. Conduct; Disqualification 

All participants must adhere to HPL behavior guidelines and these Official Rules. Sponsor may disqualify any Entrant for: (i) copyright infringement or use of unlicensed third-party materials; (ii) prohibited or offensive content; (iii) misrepresentation of authorship; (iv) violation of HPL policies; or (v) attempts to tamper with the Contest, submit fraudulent entries, or otherwise undermine the integrity of the Contest.  

 

12. General Conditions; Limitation of Liability

Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to cancel, suspend, or modify the Contest if technical issues or other causes beyond Sponsor’s control corrupt the administration, security, or proper conduct of the Contest. By participating, Entrants agree to release and hold harmless Sponsor, the City of Houston, and their respective officers, employees, and agents from any and all liability, loss, or damage arising out of or related to participation in the Contest or the awarding, receipt, or use/misuse of any prize to the maximum extent permitted by law. 

 

13. Contact 

Questions may be directed to: 
Marcus Tang, MIS — Administrative Manager, TECHLink
Email: Marcus.Tang@houstontx.gov | Office: 832-393-1482 | 500 McKinney St., Houston, TX 77002.