Celebrate Poetry and Jazz Appreciation Month!

April is poetry and jazz appreciation month! 

The Library is celebrating poetry month on April 18th with Poem in your Pocket day, where we will be distributing poems to be shared with co-workers, friends, family, and strangers in collaboration with the Portage County Public Library, Portage County Literacy Council, The Store, and CREATE Portage County. 

"National Poetry Month was inaugurated by the Academy of American Poets in 1996. Over the years, it has become the largest literary celebration in the world with schools, publishers, libraries, booksellers, and poets celebrating poetry’s vital place in our culture."

Our library is also chock full of poetry books and books about poetry. Browse the PN call number area on the 4th floor.

Also, please check out our seasonal display in the Lobby of Albertson Hall for featured poetry titles and jazz artists. 

Here are some other ways to celebrate:

1. Chalk a poem on the sidewalk.
2. Recreate a poet’s favorite food or drink by following his or her recipe.
3. Read Edward Hirsch’s essay “How to Read a Poem.”
4. Browse the poetry area of your local library.
5. Attend a poetry reading.
6. Pass along a poem to a friend or stranger, or leave a poem in a public space on April 26th - Poem in your Pocket Day.
7. Read a poem today from this selection
8. 30 ways to celebrate National Poetry Month 
9. Ways to celebrate jazz appreciation 
10. Jazz-a-thon or Improv