Press ReleaseCelebrate National Poetry Month at ICPL


April is National Poetry Month and the Iowa City Public Library is ready to celebrate.

The Library will host its Totally Tweens: Poetry Workshop from 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 9, in Meeting Room A. Tweens in third through sixth grades are invited to write their own poems and learn about various poetic forms. The workshop is free, but registration is required. To register, visit calendar.icpl.org and click on the event date. Registrations can also be made by calling the Library at 319-356-5200.

Have you ever wanted to read a poem to an audience? Come to our Open Mic Night from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday, April 11, in Meeting Room A. Participants are asked to bring their favorite poem, whether it’s something they’ve written or the work of someone they admire. The performance lineup is first come, first serve, but we ask that selections be kept to five minutes or less.

Members of Reading Aloud from the Iowa City/Johnson County Senior Center will present the program “Happy Birthday Poets” from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday, April 26, in Meeting Room A. This event is free and open to the public. It also will be broadcast live on The Library Channel, Iowa City cable channel 20.

In addition to these events, a special Poetry Month display featuring favorite poetry collections chosen by Library staff can be found on the Library’s first floor.