Launched by the Academy of American Poets in April 1996, National Poetry Month reminds the public that poets have an integral role to play in our culture and that poetry matters. Over the years, it has become the largest literary celebration in the world, with tens of millions of readers, students, K–12 teachers, librarians, booksellers, literary events curators, publishers, families, and, of course, poets, marking poetry's important place in our lives.
This year, the library will be participating in the Bard & Broadside 2023: North Central Florida Poetry Festival. There will be multiple festival events taking place at the Headquarters Library. All festival events are free and open to the public.
Youth Poet Laureate Commencement Ceremony - Saturday, April 15 at 3 p.m.
This event will include a poetry reading by the Youth Poet Laureate finalists.
Poetry Workshop: Gimme the Loot! How to Steal Like a Poet - Sunday, April 16 at 1 p.m.
Free poetry workshop by award-winning poet John Murillo.
Poetry Reading and Book Signing by Special Guest Poet John Murillo - Sunday, April 16 at 4 p.m.
Meet award-winning poet John Murillo, who will be reading his poetry.
The library offers poetry books for all ages for checkout with your library card. Don't have a card? Find out how to apply for one! We will also have events honoring National Poetry Month and we hope you can join us.
Headquarters Library
A Gathering of Poets - Sunday, April 23 at 1 p.m. (adults)
Graduate students and faculty from the University of Florida's Creative Writing Program will be reading selected poetry to celebrate National Poetry Month.
Poem in Your Pocket Day - Thursday, April 27 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (all ages)
Pick up a poem from the library and carry it in your pocket all day. Share your selected poem on social media using the hashtag #PocketPoem.
Poetry Writing Workshop - Sunday, April 30 at 2 p.m. (adults & teens)
In celebration of National Poetry Month, join graduate students from the University of Florida's Creative Writing Program as they teach participants how to write their own poetry.
Millhopper Branch
Writer's Alliance of Gainesville - Sunday, April 2 at 2:30 p.m. (adults)
This month we'll celebrate National Poetry Month with two of Gainesville’s most talented local poets and authors, Jenna Nishida and Reinfred Addo.
Each April, the Academy offers activities, initiatives, and resources so that anyone can join in online and at home and—hopefully—find comfort, resilience, and connection throughout the month of April and beyond:
- Order (for free) the official National Poetry Month poster
- Read about 30 ways to celebrate National Poetry Month online and at home
- Read about 30 ways to celebrate National Poetry Month in the classroom
- Sign up for Poem-a-Day and enjoy a free daily poem in your inbox
- Follow the thousands of celebrations taking place on social media with the official hashtag #NationalPoetryMonth and follow the Academy of American Poets on Twitter @POETSorg
- Share a #pocketpoem on Poem in Your Pocket Day