Teen Poetry Night a Success on Many Levels
April 30th, 2006 by Steven M. Cohen“life is a never-ending coil
with twists and turns
and you are one thing that I did not count on”
- quite simply, you are a parallel revolution
Brooke Shippee
The Johnson County Library (Kansas) holds a monthly teen poetry night. After reading about it in one of their local online papers, I contacted the library and asked for more information and if I could blog about this fun event. I received an overwhelming response from the staff and was immediately provided with answers to my questions.The poems are printed in a literary zine titled, elementia [PDF]Angel Jewel Dew, Youth Information Specialist, is quoted below.
PLA Blog - How many teens showed up and did some parents attend? Is this above/below average?AJD - 25 teens came last night. Our total number in attendance was 62. There were approximately 30 parents and several grandparents. When it comes to our young adult programs in the most general sense, I’d have to say attendance was above average. However, when we unveiled our first issue in October, attendance was just about the same.”PLA Blog - Where did you come up with the idea? Have you seen it successful anywhere else?AJD - In college, I, alongside a professor, dedicated a semester to researching how to start and maintain a literary magazine. Thus, I was ecstatic when I was offered the opportunity to work (internship) alongside a team of students at a local high school, producing the school’s literary magazine.That experience was one of great fortitude and just solidified my desire to pursue a job that was both creative and focused on young people.So in a sense, the idea, due to my own path, was always in the back of my head.
But it manifested into reality as we (my colleagues and I within Youth Services) thought of ways to reignite our fading program dedicated to poetry. I came up with the idea for the literary magazine, but we weren’t sure if printing was feasible. We began leaning towards an online zine.
Then a colleague found an article in the April 2004 issue of VOYA, featuring Hamilton East Public Library and its’ Poetry Contest. Reading that article was a pivotal marker in our decision to do a printed publication.
PLA Blog - Do you invite or work with other non-library organizations on this event?
AJD - The co-editor and co-designer of elementia is an AmeriCorps volunteer. And last night we passed out information for the Kansas City Writers Group & Kansas Authors Club–on a contest and camp being offered.
PLA Blog - Tell me about the most interesting poem.
AJD - The most interesting poem…that’s difficult for me to answer, for each poem served its’ own interesting purpose.
It seems though, that poems which gauge the most thought, sentiment, and perspective will undeniably pull in the most interest & we have many writers that fulfill these notions. Yet, it’s important to realize that writing is a journey–there are definite stages to trudge through, and each stage is just as important as the next.
PLA Blog - What were some of the reactions to the event from teens/parents/staff?
AJD - Very positive. The atmosphere was highly praised. The design and layout was also highly praised.
Parents were very appreciative and excited for their young adults and some of the teens couldn’t believe that so many people were there to see…them. The open mic time was very popular for the young people…they just kept going and going. Thus, we did go a bit longer than I’d hoped, and I believe a few parents and younger patrons got a bit antsy.
On their blog, the Johnson County Library had this to say about their successful event:“Soft light set an ambience for the creative and intellectual as the teens listened intently to their peers’ readings. Fingers snapped in appreciation. Smiles exchanged. Some spoke with confidence, others nervousness. But in the end, everyone moved. After all, it is not everyday one gets to express themselves creatively, to be published.”
Photos from the event
Angel Dew, Youth Information Specialist, introduces the young adult poets
Abby Huffman prepares to take the open mic
Over sixty people gathered to hear readings from the 2nd edition of elementia, the Johnson County Library’s young adult zine
Kelly Morillo reads her poem, “if I were a star.”
Matthew Morefield reads his poem, “pressure.”
“Peer pressure,
You always hear,
Those words spoken.
What they don’t know,
Is the pressure of family,
Continually asking,
What happened today?
Your parents wonder,
Why you answered,
Answered nothing.”- Pressure
Matthew MorefieldNote: - Permission was granted by the library and poets to post pieces of the works.
Tags: library programming, poetry, teens
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April 30th, 2006 at 10:03 pm
nice pics…
I love you