Programming Librarian

National Poetry Month 2012 poster

Celebrate Poetry!

Angela Hanshaw | March 27, 2012

National Poetry Month is just a week away. Need inspiration for some last-minute programming, or looking for ideas you can use year-round? The American Academy of Poets offers a list of thirty ways to celebrate poetry; here are ten from the list that can be easily adapted for libraries:

• Celebrate Poem in Your Pocket Day
  “The idea is simple: select a poem you love, carry it with you, then share it with co-workers, family, and friends.”

• Put poetry in an unexpected place
  “Books should be brought to the doorstep like electricity, or like milk in England: they should be considered utilities.”

• Play Exquisite Corpse
  “Each participant is unaware of what the others have written, thus producing a surprising—sometimes absurd—yet often beautiful poem.”

• Read a poem at an open mic
  “It’s a great way to meet other writers in your area and find out about your local writing community.”

• Watch a poetry movie
  "What better time than National Poetry Month to gather some friends, watch a poetry-related movie, and perhaps discuss some of the poet’s work after the film?”

• Put a poem on the pavement
  “Go one step beyond hopscotch squares and write a poem in chalk on your sidewalk.”

• Organize a poetry reading
  “When looking for a venue, consider your local library, coffee shop, bookstore, art gallery, bar or performance space.”

• Promote public support for poetry
  "Every year, Congress decides how much money will be given to the National Endowment for the Arts to be distributed all across America.”

• Start a poetry reading group
  “Select books that would engage discussion and not intimidate the reader new to poetry.”

• Start a commonplace book
  “Since the Renaissance, devoted readers have been copying their favorite poems and quotations into notebooks to form their own personal anthologies called commonplace books.”

Another idea I love, but would require more work, is a visit to a poetry landmark: "Visiting physical spaces associated with a favorite writer is a memorable way to pay homage to their life and work.”

Angela Hanshaw is Program Officer/Web Editor for the ALA Public Programs Office.

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