Palatine Public Library District to Celebrate National Poetry Month
The Palatine Library will celebrate National Poetry Month with a contest, an open mic reading, and an interactive magnetic poetry display.
Palatine Library's sixth annual poetry contest invites valid District cardholders of all ages to submit their best original piece for a chance to win a Nancy J. Heggem Poetry Award. The winning poems in each category (Youth, Teen, and Adult) will earn a cash prize generously donated by former Library Board member, local poet, and contest judge Nancy Heggem.
Contest guidelines and entry forms are available March 1, online (www.palatinelibrary.org). Submissions will be accepted from Sunday, March 15 through Wednesday, April 15. Poets may submit entries by visiting the Palatine Library website, or by completing an entry form and delivering their work to the Information Services Desk at the Main Library, or any Branch location. Entries will be displayed in the Main Library.
Winners will be announced at a special ceremony and open mic event on Saturday, May 9, from 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. All attendees will be entered into a drawing to win door prizes, including Barnes and Noble gift cards and Crashing in Velvet, a debut book of poems by Palatine resident Terry Loncaric. Reserve your slot in the open mic by signing up in person beginning at 2:30 p.m. on the day of the event. Residents and non-residents of all ages welcome. Tickets are available April 22 at the Main Library.
Librarian and poet Tracie Padal has helped plan and coordinate Poetry Month activities at the library for the last six years. "Our community's enthusiastic support of poetry continues to fuel and grow this annual celebration of the written word," notes Padal. "In addition to a contest, we'll also be offering an interactive magnetic poetry display this year."
Visit the Main Library between Monday, March 2 and Saturday, May 9 to express your thoughts and ideas using word fragments on the magnetic poetry display. All ages are invited to participate.
The Palatine Public Library District is your destination for knowledge, entertainment, and community. The District serves approximately 90,000 residents predominantly within the communities of Palatine and Hoffman Estates.