Library to celebrate National Poetry Month
Poetry is an artistic expression that will never be lost, and Naperville Public Library will highlight the community's talented artists with upcoming poetry programs for teens and adults.
In celebration of National Poetry Month, the Naperville Writers Group will present the program Slaying Dragons with Poetry from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. April 2 at Nichols Library, 200 W. Jefferson Ave. Poets, writers and those who love to read poetry can meet keynote speaker, Sandra Marchetti, who is an author of a collection of poems titled "Confluence" as well as an Elmhurst College writing teacher. Poet Ray Simon, former president of the Naperville Writers Group, will moderate the event. In addition to the featured readers, Naperville Writers Group members and local poets can share their poetry during open mic at the free event.
Budding poets
Teen poets can get inspired in April as the library will host its fourth annual Teen Poetry Contest.
Beginning April 1, students in 6th, 7th and 8th grades as well as high school can submit their poetry for a chance to win prizes from area bookstores. The winning poems also will be posted online. The deadline to submit poems is 9 p.m. April 30, and the winners will be announced May 14. Teens can pick up an entry form at any library building or enter online at www.naperville-lib.org/teens/teenpoetrycontest2014.
Teens in 6th through 12th grades also can showcase their poetry during the library's Poetry Slam from 7 to 8:30 p.m. May 2 at Nichols Library. Participants will be allotted five minutes to read their poems to an audience of family members and friends. Poets who present their readings will be entered in a raffle to win a prize.
For more information about these poetry programs, call 630-961-4100 or go to naperville-lib.org.