Library to Celebrate National Poetry Month With Poem Distribution and Open Mic

In celebration of National Poetry Month, Tompkins County Public Library will participate in “Poem in Your Pocket Day” Thursday, April 27 and offer an open mic poetry event on Friday, May 5. 

Launched in New York City in 2002, “Poem in Your Pocket Day” celebrates the rich history of pocket poems—from commonplace books during the Renaissance to pocket-sized publications carried by World War II soldiers.  Since 2008, bookstores, schools, libraries, parks and businesses across the country have embraced “Poem in Your Pocket Day” by encouraging open readings of pocket poems.

TCPL staff members have distributed more than 3500 poems during “Poem in Your Pocket Day” festivities since 2014.

This year’s poems were written by local poets who answered a February call for submissions with more than 50 original poems.  The poems submitted this year address the theme of living in Tompkins County.

TCPL librarians will distribute the poems in the Library, on the Ithaca Commons, and in other select locations throughout the day.  Poems will also be available at the Information and Learning Services Reference Desk.

Local poets will also have an opportunity to showcase their work during a free open mic event from 4 to 5:30 p.m., Friday, May 5. This event is open to poets of all ages and experience levels and will be held in the Library’s Ezra Cornell Reading Room. 

The Open Mic is being held in conjunction with the Spring Writes Literary Festival. Registration will begin at 3:30 p.m. in the Avenue of the Friends.

For more information, contact Teresa Vadakin at (607) 272-4557 extension 272 or poetry@tcpl.org.