Libraries Poet Laureate Program

About the Program

Category: Libraries (Best in Category)

Year: 2022

In conjunction with April 2021’s National Poetry Month, OC Public Libraries partnered with Libromobile Arts Cooperative to launch the inaugural OC Youth Poet Laureate and Adult Poet Laureate programs in Orange County in order to inspire residents via the positive impact of poetry created by local writers. Working with the Urban Word organization, Libromobile Arts Cooperative and OC Public Libraries applied for a Youth Poet Laureate position and used the criteria to create an Adult Poet Laureate position for Orange County. Criteria for candidates included literary excellence along with a commitment to social justice and community engagement. Dozens of applicants were reviewed by representatives of Libromobile and OC Public Libraries. One Orange County Youth Poet Laureate and one Orange County Adult Poet Laureate were selected for the 2021-2022 program year. In addition to the creation of the positions, plans for the future include featuring the Poets Laureate at poetry readings, providing opportunities for community members to write or perform poetry at library programs, bringing poetry to a variety of settings in the community and ultimately supporting a civic and literary leader for generations to come.