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The mission of Norwalk's Poet Laureate program is to communicate the value of poetry to the community. The Poet Laureate of the city of Norwalk serves as an ambassador of the community's artistic and literary life, promoting the literary community and celebrating the written word.
Objectives of the Poet Laureate program:
- Promote poetry as a form of communication having value-informing, teaching, inspiring and entertaining-in the everyday life of Norwalk residents.
- Inspire an emerging generation of critical thinkers and writers.
- Encourage the reading and writing of literature and poetry.
- Promote poetry as a form of literature that has deep roots among people of all ages and culture
Potential Roles of the Poet Laureate:
- Promote reading, understanding, and writing of poetry.
- Develop working relationships with other poets and teachers of poetry to present poetry writing workshops to teenagers and adults.
- Write a "Poets Corner" column for the city's newsletter and other Norwalk media in which poems having value for readers' lives would be presented.
- Develop an Introduction to Poetry program for members of the public who are curious about poetry and would be interested in learning how to read, understand, and perhaps write poetry. * Develop a poetry program involving local poets that could broadcast from on local media outlets.
- Upon invitation, is a guest in local schools to complement the teaching of skills and understanding needed by students for reading, writing, and listening to poems.
- Read published or commissioned poems at public events (e.g.,swearing-in ceremonies, holiday celebrations, convocations, graduations) and community-based group events.
The term of the Norwalk Poet Laureate is one year and is an honorary position without a stipend. To be considered, a nominee must be a poet and a resident of Norwalk, and available and willing to collaborate with other town poets to develop and present poetry-related activities that address the objectives of the Poet Laureate program. Interested poets can self-nominate or be nominated by others.
Click here for the rules and more information, or email Cynde Lahey, Director of Library Information Services, at clahey@norwalkpubliclibrary.org.
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