National Poetry Month, a celebration of poetry which takes place each April, was introduced in 1996 and is organized by the Academy of American Poets as a way to increase awareness and appreciation of poetry in the United States.
JMRL is celebrating poetry throughout the month! Look for displays of poetry books in your local library branch, recommended reading lists, and special events across JMRL.
Tuesday, April 23, 6:30-7:30pm Teen Poet Laureate Reception Join JMRL for light refreshments, poetry readings, and the announcement of the 2024-2025 JMRL Teen Poet Laureate.
“With more than twice the number of applicants as last year, I’m so thrilled to see what was the dream of a high school creative writing class turn into a reality,” said Jess Moore, Young Adult Librarian at Crozet Library and co-chair of the contest, who has put together a booklet of the top poems submitted. “These are some special poems in the book, written with great care, emotion, feeling, and intelligence. I’m honored the teens have trusted JMRL to share them with a wider audience.”
On Sunday, April 28, 2-4pm Step Up to Some Jazz with the Bob Bennetta Trio for some poetry, jazz, and snacks on the front porch of the Central Library. Featuring the musical talents of Bob Bennetta, Bobby Gregg, and Joe Tucker.
Monday, April 29 is Poem in Your Pocket Day. Stop by any JMRL library branch to pick out a poem scroll tied with a bow. Unwrap it, and possibilities unfold: read it to yourself, share it with someone close (or even a stranger), or just tuck it in your pocket for a rainy day.
JMRL is also partnering with local businesses and other organizations to bring poetry into the community. Partners for Poem in Your Pocket Day include: Botanical Fare, Chaps, Mudhouse (Downtown), Splendora’s Gelato (Shops at Stonefield), Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital, UVA Medical Center, and Virginia Discovery Museum.
To make this event possible, JMRL received permission to reproduce selected poems and print them on slips of paper—yellow for children’s poems and white for adults’ poems. Staff and volunteers have been busy rolling hundreds of poem scrolls to prepare for the big day!