Poetry for Everyone

About the Program

Category: Libraries (Best in Category)

Year: 2009

Durham County Library created the program Poetry for Everyone in 2008, to celebrate National Poetry Month. The program is a series of events, held at various library branches, during which local celebrities, elected officials, and poets share their favorite poems with the public. In its inaugural year, Poetry for Everyone featured more than 45 local leaders, including the County Manager and County Commissioners, School Board Members, the Mayor, and the President of Duke University. Each reader selected his or her favorite poem to share, and selections ranged from classics like the “Tomorrow” speech from Shakespeare’s Macbeth, to more modern selections from poets like Robert Frost and Langston Hughes. Nearly 250 people attended Poetry for Everyone, with several people attending two, three and even four of the presentations.