April is National Poetry Month! Check out these ideas on how to celebrate!

1. Create Book Spine Poetry

Stack up a pile of books to create a poem with the titles. You can use your own books, or books you’ve checked out from the library. You can use the one we made for inspiration!

2. Learn About the Types of Poems

If you’re new to poetry, try out A Beginner’s Guide to the Different Types of Poems from Book Riot. This breaks down 15 different poem forms. If you’re a little more versed in the world of poetry, check out this List of 168 Poetic Forms for Poets from Writer’s Digest. No matter which list you look at, you’ll be writing like a poet in no time!

3. Research Indiana’s Poet Laureate

Most states in the United States have a poet laureate. The poets laureate make public appearances at poetry readings or literary events, and promote awareness of poetry within their geographical region. Indiana’s poet laureate, Matthew Graham, is currently serving his two year term. Graham has lived in southern Indiana for 35 years and is a respected and recognized writer, teacher, and advocate for poetry and the arts. You can learn more about him HERE.

4. Get a Poem in Your Inbox Every Day

Head over to poets.org to sign up for their Poem-A-Day series, an original daily poetry series publishing new work by contemporary poets! Poem-a-Day is the original and only daily digital poetry series featuring over 250 new, previously unpublished poems by today’s talented poets each year. Sign up and you’ll receive a poem in your inbox every day!

5. Check Out Some Poetry From the Library

Check out the display in the stairwell this month at APL for books of poetry, or look for books beginning with the numbers 811 in the nonfiction section. Ask any staff member and they’ll help you find what you’re looking for as well!

Take a look at some of our titles!