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Archive: 2014 (52 Posts)

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Remembering Our Laureates

Posted by: Robert Casper

As this year comes to an end, and a new one begins, I want to take a moment to remember a few people dear to the Poetry and Literature Center that passed away. Today I want to focus on two former Poets Laureate, Maxine Kumin and Mark Strand. I had the good fortune of meeting …

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Christmas Greetings from Robert Frost

Posted by: Peter Armenti

Among the many materials in the Library’s Rare Book and Special Collections Division that focus on book design and fine printing are nearly two-dozen small chapbooks popularly known as Robert Frost‘s “Christmas Cards.” The chapbooks, first issued in 1929 and annually from 1934-1962, are collectible curiosities. While you might expect each one to feature a …

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State Poets Update: New North Carolina Laureate Selected; Ohio Creates State Poet Position

Posted by: Peter Armenti

‘Tis the season to be jolly, especially if you’re a poetry lover in North Carolina or Ohio! Five months after Valerie Macon resigned as North Carolina poet laureate due to a controversy over her qualifications and the process through which she was appointed, a new North Carolina laureate has been selected. Governor Pat McCrory announced …

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Teacher’s Corner: Using Poetry to Illustrate the Importance of Drafting

Posted by: Peter Armenti

The following guest post, part of our “Teacher’s Corner” series, is by Rebecca Newland, Teacher in Residence at the Library of Congress. Developing skills in written expression is as important a life skill as it is a school skill. One step in developing writing skills is drafting. Students are sometimes reluctant to revise work after …

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A Marathon Celebration of Emily Dickinson

Posted by: Peter Armenti

Emily Dickinson was born 184 years ago today. To celebrate, the Library of Congress invited poetry lovers this Monday to enter “A fairer House than Prose” with a marathon reading of Emily Dickinson’s poems and a special display of Dickinson materials from its Rare Book and Special Collections Division. The event, held in Room 119 …

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The Warrior Poet (a.k.a. Fellow Traveler No. 1)

Posted by: Robert Casper

The following is a cross-post from the Library of Congres Blog, from Senior Public Affairs Specialist Jennifer Gavin. Many larger-than-life figures have served as the Librarian of Congress.  As the Library once again plays host to that seminal document affirming the rule of law, Magna Carta, today we shine a spotlight on the man who …

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Teacher’s Corner: Unexpected Poets

Posted by: Peter Armenti

From the Catbird Seat is excited to launch a new monthly series, “Teacher’s Corner,” by Rebecca Newland, Teacher in Residence at the Library of Congress. “Teacher’s Corner” will highlight ways that K-12 teachers and librarians can effectively use poetry- and literature-related primary sources from the Library in the classroom. Bringing primary sources into the poetry …

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The Writing’s on the Wall: Found Poetry in Street Art

Posted by: Peter Armenti

The following guest post is by Amber Paranick, a librarian in the Newspaper & Current Periodical Reading Room. I got the idea for this post by quite literally stumbling on it. I was running to catch my bus and tripped and almost fell. I looked down at my feet and much to my admiration was …