Tag Archives: poetry

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 →

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.

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