Local Libraries Honor National Poetry Month this April

(Somerset County, NJ: March 15, 2017) This April, Somerset County Library System of New Jersey looks to uphold what the Academy of American Poets set out to do in 1966 when it declared April as National Poetry Month: increase awareness and appreciation of poetry in the United States. To do this, the Library System is hosting three special programs for adults:

Poetry Reading and Workshop with Charles H. Johnson
April 15, 2-3:30 p.m.
At SCLSNJ’s Hillsborough Library branch
Hillsborough poet Charles H. Johnson will read from his works and discuss the craft and business of poetry. Attendees will have the opportunity to purchase his books and have them signed.

Walt Whitman: “The Good Grey Poet”
April 15, 2-3 p.m.
At SCLSNJ’s Bridgewater Library branch
Actor David Scott Taylor of the American Historical Theatre will portray Walt Whitman, who is credited with changing the voice of poetry. He sought to create “a new gospel of beauty”; an American voice. He escaped the Classic Structures demanded of verse, and gave us the free form voice that has become standard today. His work influenced the beat movement and its leaders such as Jack Kerouac and Alan Ginsberg, anti-war poets and even Bram Stoker’s Dracula. This program is made possible by funding from The New Jersey Council for the Humanities.

Cool Women Read Poetry
April 19, 7-8:30 p.m.
At SCLSNJ’s Warren Township Library branch
Known for their themed, improv-style poetry readings, Cool Women riff on each other’s poems like jazz musicians, providing an unpredictable and compelling performance. All nine members—Eloise Bruce, Juditha Dowd, Lois Marie Harrod, Betty Lies, Judy Michaels, Sharon Olson, Penelope Schott, Maxine Susman, and Gretna Wilkinson—have deep New Jersey roots. Each of the Cool Women is widely published; collectively they have appeared in hundreds of literary journals, have won countless prizes, grants, fellowships, and awards, and have written dozens of books.

Registration is required to attend these programs unless otherwise indicated. To register, visit SCLSNJ.org or contact your local SCLSNJ library branch.

About Somerset County Library System of New Jersey
Somerset County Library System of New Jersey (SCLSNJ) partners with you to connect, to explore, to share and to discover. Together we enrich lives, expand knowledge and strengthen communities. SCLSNJ branches can be found in Bridgewater, Bound Brook, Hillsborough, Manville, North Plainfield, Peapack & Gladstone, Rocky Hill at Mary Jacobs Memorial Library, Somerville, Warren Township, and Watchung. Additionally, there are two SCLSNJ reading stations in Branchburg and Washington Valley. Visit SCLSNJ.org for further information about library services offered at SCLSNJ.

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