Tag Archives: PA Center for the Book

Fourteenth annual reading celebrates the Public Poetry Project

The fourteenth annual “An Evening of Pennsylvania Poets: Readings in Celebration of the Public Poetry Project” will be held on Wednesday, March 26, at 7:30 p.m., in Foster Auditorium, 102 Paterno Library, on Penn State’s campus, followed by a poster signing.

The Public Poetry Project focuses on poets with a connection to Pennsylvania and displays the poetry in public places to make it a part of the daily lives of a greater number of people. Since the project began in 2000, sixty-five poems have been printed and placed in public places throughout Pennsylvania.

Poets featured in the 2014 Public Poetry Project poster series will read from their work. This year’s posters were designed by Wilson Hutton and will be available at no charge at the presentation. The 2014 Poetry Poster series includes poets Stephen Berg, W. S. Di Piero, Le Hinton, and Shara McCallum.

The project is under the direction of Dr. Steven L. Herb, librarian and director of the Pennsylvania Center for the Book, and is supported by the Paterno Family Librarian for Literature, William S. Brockman; the University Libraries; the Department of English in the College of the Liberal Arts; and the Pennsylvania Center for the Book, an affiliate of the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress. The readings are open to the public.

For more information, including physical access and special accommodations, contact Caroline Wermuth at 814-863-5472 and visit www.pabook.libraries.psu.edu

2014 Hopkins Poetry Award winner announced

Penn State University Libraries and the Pennsylvania Center for the Book are pleased to announce the winner of the 2014 Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award.

This year’s winner is “Etched in Clay: The Life of Dave, Enslaved Potter and Poet” written by Andrea Cheng, with woodcuts by the author, published by Lee & Low Books. The award and a $1000 prize, courtesy of Lee Bennett Hopkins, will be presented at Penn State University in the fall.

One judge remarks, “‘Etched in Clay’ is an accomplished biography-in-verse that forever etches in our minds the life of a man who dared to leave his mark.” Another comments, “In direct, forthright verse from multiple perspectives, embellished with her own simple woodblock prints, Andrea Cheng crafts a careful, human portrait of a man of extraordinary resilience and strength, himself a poet and an artist.” And from another, “Even the careful juxtaposition of the poems creates a path of life and heart that makes this novel in verse a hand-thrown treasure.”

Additionally, judges gave honor awards to “Coaltown Jesus” by Ron Koertge, published by Candlewick Press and “Rutherford B., Who Was He?: Poems About Our Presidents” by Marilyn Singer, illustrated by John Hendrix, published by Disney·Hyperion, an imprint of Disney Book Group. Continue reading →

Digital Navigator Project receives PaLA Best Practices Award

The Digital Navigator Project, a collaboration among the Penn State University Libraries; the Office of Commonwealth Libraries; and the Altoona, Central Pennsylvania and Johnstown Public Library Districts, has been awarded the 2013 Pennsylvania Libraries Association (PaLA) Best Practices Award for “a unique program for children between the ages of 6 and 12, incorporating the PA Forward Literacy of Information Literacy.” The project reaches across academic and public library boundaries and acknowledges the fact that both entities serve the same individuals but at different life stages.

Continue reading →

Exhibition highlights Lee Bennett Hopkins Award

“The Best Poetry for Children in the U.S.: A Celebration of the First 21 Years of the Lee Bennett Hopkins Award,” an exhibit, is on display September 13 to October 31, in Sidewater Commons, 102 Pattee Library, University Park.

Established in 1993, the Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award is presented annually to an American poet or anthologist for the most outstanding new book of poetry for children published in the previous calendar year. This prestigious award is named for Lee Bennett Hopkins, the internationally renowned educator, poet, anthologist and passionate advocate of poetry for young people. Selected by a panel of teachers, librarians, and scholars, the Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award was the first award of its kind in the United States. The Pennsylvania Center for the Book, the Penn State University Libraries, and Lee Bennett Hopkins share joint administration of the annual award.

The exhibition is open during regular library hours at 814-865-3063. For more information about the Hopkins Award and questions regarding physical access to the exhibition, contact Karla Schmit at kms454 @psu.edu or 814.863.5521 or visit the web site at www.pabook.libraries.psu.edu/activities/hopkins/index.html.

Letters About Literature contest winners announced

The Pennsylvania Center for the Book announces the Pennsylvania winners of the 2013 Letters About Literature contest, a nationwide event sponsored by the Center for the Book at the Library of Congress. The Center for the Book was established in 1977 as a public-private partnership to use the resources of the Library of Congress to stimulate public interest in books and reading.

This contest invites students in three grade categories to write letters to authors—living or dead—explaining how the author’s words affected them or their worldview. Michaela Cameron of Shippensburg wins the Level I award (grades four through six) for writing to John F. Wukovits about “The Importance of Anne Frank,” Sophia Paterno of State College wins the Level II award (grades seven and eight) and Taylor Grace Bean of Harborcreek wins the Level III award (grades nine and ten) writing to Laurie Halse Anderson about “Wintergirls.” Each winner received a $300 cash prize and celebrated at a lunch in their honor with their families in State College, Pennsylvania, on April 27. Continue reading →

Library of Congress approves continuation of the Pennsylvania Center for the Book

The Pennsylvania Center for the Book (PCFB), hosted by Penn State’s University Libraries, will continue operation for the next three years per approval of affiliate status by The Library of Congress Center for the Book (LC CFB) in Washington, D.C.

John Y. Cole, director of the LC CFB, noted, “I urge my Library of Congress colleagues to take a good look at PCFB’s website at http://pabook.libraries.psu.edu/, for ideas and example about how LC can learn and be inspired by prospering state center activities, including educational outreach; preschool family literacy programming and storytelling; poetry for all ages; graphic novels; and resource links to projects for Letters about Literature, the state center network, and national and international book and literary prizes and awards.” Continue reading →

Enjoy an evening of poetry reading

Please join us for our 13th Annual Public Poetry Project reading on Tues., March 26, at 7:30 p.m., in Foster Auditorium, 102 Paterno Library.

 “An Evening of Pennsylvania Poets: Readings in Celebration of the Public Poetry Project” is under the direction of Dr. Steven L. Herb, librarian and director of the Pennsylvania Center for the Book, and is supported by the Paterno Family Librarian for Literature, William S. Brockman; the University Libraries; the Department of English in the College of the Liberal Arts; and the Pennsylvania Center for the Book, an affiliate of the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress.

We are fortunate to have another great line-up this year! Our poets reading will be: Gerald Costanzo, Katie Ford, Yona Harvey, and Jeffrey Oaks.

The Public Poetry Project focuses on poets with a connection to Pennsylvania and displays the poetry in public places to make it a part of the daily lives of a greater number of people. Since the project began in 2000, sixty-one poems have been printed and placed in public places throughout Pennsylvania.

After the reading, poets will be available to sign their beautiful (and free) posters. Let’s make these poets feel welcome and appreciated by having a large crowd! –  Caroline Wermuth

Thirteenth annual poetry reading celebrates Public Poetry Project

The thirteenth annual “An Evening of Pennsylvania Poets: Readings in Celebration of the Public Poetry Project” will be held on Tuesday, March 26, at 7:30 p.m., in Foster Auditorium, 102 Paterno Library, on Penn State’s campus, followed by a reception and poster signing.

The Public Poetry Project focuses on poets with a connection to Pennsylvania and displays the poetry in public places to make it a part of the daily lives of a greater number of people. Since the project began in 2000, sixty-one poems have been printed and placed in public places throughout Pennsylvania. Continue reading →

2013 Hopkins Poetry Award Winner Announced

Penn State University Libraries and the Pennsylvania Center for the Book are pleased to announce the winner of the 2013 Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award.

This year’s winner is “Water Sings Blue: Ocean Poems,” written by Kate Coombs, illustrated by Meilo So, and published by Chronicle Books. The award and a $1000 prize, courtesy of Lee Bennett Hopkins, will be presented on September 28, 2013 at Penn State.

Says one judge, “All poetry is musical, but this collection really SINGS–and bellows and hums and warbles and more. Sea shanties, operas, jingles, hymns; a haiku aria here, a fishy rap there. Another great read (or sing) aloud.” Another offers this praise, “I find the variety of emotions portrayed throughout the poems and amazing illustrations very appealing and appropriate. The interdependency of the sea is wonderfully depicted in the verse.” And from another, “Push away from the shore with the first poem in this collection and return with the tides at the end. A dazzling collection of poems.”

Established in 1993, the Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award is presented annually to an American poet or anthologist for the most outstanding new book of poetry for children published in the previous calendar year.

This prestigious award is named for Lee Bennett Hopkins, the internationally renowned educator, poet, anthologist, and passionate advocate of poetry for young people. Selected by a panel of teachers, librarians, and scholars, the Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award was the first award of its kind in the United States. The Pennsylvania Center for the Book, the Penn State University Libraries, and Lee Bennett Hopkins share joint administration of the annual award.

The judges for this year’s Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award are Chair Sue C. Kimmel (assistant professor, school libraries, Old Dominion University) of Norfolk, Virginia; Joyce D. Dietrich (elementary librarian, Greencastle-Antrim School District) of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania; Marianne Follis (librarian, Irving Public Library System, Valley Ranch location) of Grapevine, Texas; Mike Skarp (5th grade teacher, Eden Prairie, MN Schools) of St. Louis Park, Minnesota; and Lee Wardlaw (children’s book author) of Santa Barbara, California.

For more information about the Hopkins Award, contact Karla Schmit at 814.863.5521 or visit the web site at www.pabook.libraries.psu.edu/activities/hopkins/index.html.

Storytelling for Preschoolers this Saturday

Bring your preschoolers to a fun storytelling and storybook reading on February 2, 11 a.m., at Webster’s Bookstore & Café, 133 E. Beaver Ave (plus entrance on Humes Alley).

Presented by some of State College’s best–representing the Pennsylvania Center for the Book, an affiliate of the Center for the Book at the Library of Congress, and Penn State’s Education and Behavioral Sciences Library:
• Steven Herb
• Karla Schmit
• Ellysa Cahoy
• Sara Willoughby

This Bright Start Fundraising Event will enthrall your preschooler while you support preschool education for low-income children in Centre County at the Park Forest Day Nursery Preschool (PFDN)–a school funded entirely by local contributions.

Webster’s will donate 25 percent of all book and other sales that day from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. On-site donations will be accepted or you may mail your donation to PFDN “Bright Start,” 1833 Park Forest Ave., State College, PA 16803.

More details at www.pfdn-preschool.org For more information or if you anticipate needing accessibility accommodations or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact Cari Gustafson at chgus@psualum.com or 814-883-6355.