Palatine Library District Celebrates National Poetry Month

Palatine Library invites residents to enter its eleventh annual poetry contest! Writers of all ages may submit one original poem from Wednesday, April 1 through April 15. Entries will be considered for the Nancy J. Heggem Poetry Awards (cash prizes), selected and sponsored by local poet and former Library Board member, Nancy Heggem.

Contest guidelines and entry forms are available online beginning Sunday, March 15. Turn in your completed entry form and original poem at any District location, or submit online at palatinelibrary.org/poetry. Entries will be displayed in the Main Library in April, as space permits. Contest open to Palatine Library residents only.

Need inspiration? Visit the Main Library (700 N. North Court) to create an original haiku with our Haikubes activity table during the month of April.

Winners will be announced at Poetry Fest on Sunday, May 3, from 2:30 - 4:00 p.m. and published on the library website. The celebration includes light refreshments and a family-friendly open mic with a prize. Sign up online to reserve your seat. For the Open Mic, register in person from 2:00 – 2:30 p.m. at the Poetry Fest. All ages are welcome to attend.

Librarian and poet Tracie Padal has helped plan and coordinate poetry month activities at the Library for the past decade. “We hope that this contest challenges aspiring writers to nurture their skills and self-confidence,” Padal says, “and we can’t wait to read this year’s entries.”

The vision of Palatine Public Library District is to inspire connection, curiosity, and joy. The District serves approximately 90,000 residents predominantly within the communities of Palatine and Hoffman Estates.