Palatine Public Library District Celebrates National Poetry Month
The Palatine Library celebrates National Poetry Month with an interactive magnetic poetry display, a contest, and an open mic reading.
Palatine Library's seventh 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.
Submissions will be accepted from Tuesday, March 15 through Friday, April 15. Poets may submit entries by visiting the Palatine Library website, or by completing an entry form and delivering their work to the Reference Desk at the Main Library, or any Branch location. Entries will be displayed in the Main Library. Contest guidelines and entry forms are available at www.palatinelibrary.org/events/7th-annual-poetry-contest-march-15-april-15
Winners will be announced at a special Ceremony and Open Mic event on Saturday, May 7, from 2:30 - 4:00 p.m. The celebration includes light refreshments, prize drawings, and a supportive audience. Local published poets including Maureen Tolman Flannery, Kate Hutchinson, Terry Loncaric, and Marjorie Skelly, will share their work and all guests are invited to read in a family-friendly open mic. All are welcome to attend. To sign up, please call 847-358-5881, x132 or visit www.palatinelibrary.org.
Librarian and poet Tracie Padal helped plan and coordinate Poetry Month activities at the library for the last seven years. "We as a community look forward to this annual celebration and treasure all the new, original poetry to be shared," says Padal.
Visit the Main Library between Friday, April 1 and Saturday, May 7 to express your thoughts and ideas using word fragments on the interactive magnetic poetry display on the first floor.
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.