This April marks the 20th anniversary of National Poetry Month. The Library is partnering with the Department of English, Chicana/o and Central American Studies Departments, and Slam Poetry Club to present a series of entertaining and educational events.
National Poetry Month was started by the Academy of American Poets in 1996 and the annual month-long observance has since been adopted by schools, publishers, libraries, booksellers, and poets. “We have many gifted poets on campus: students, faculty and staff,” says Acquisitions Librarian Del Williams, who is coordinating this year’s series of diverse events at the University Library. “We would love to give our campus poets a place to share and showcase their work. We hope this will be the first of many future National Poetry Month celebrations in the library.”
The University Library’s National Poetry Month celebration will begin on April 6 with a performance by Vocal ARTillery in the library’s Learning Commons, from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. On Tuesday, April 12, English Professor Sean Pessin and Central American Studies Professor Susana Marcelo will facilitate a poetry writing workshop in Library Lab A. CSUN’s Slam Poetry Club will host a performance and open mic event, from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., in the Learning Commons on April 20. Finally, from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. on April 27, CSUN faculty will present readings of their work followed by a Q&A. The Faculty showcase will be in the Library Exhibit Gallery on the second floor in the Library’s west wing.
Visit the Academy of Amercian Poets website to find out about Poem in Your Pocket Day, Poem-a-day digital poetry series, and poetry events near you.