Poetry Now Project
My notion of the Poetry Now project is to create an audience for contemporary poetry in locales not generally immersed in the current poetry scene. Both rural and urban, these sites are populated by citizens of every hue and ethnic background.
The Poetry Now project has two complementary aspects. First, by visiting these spots, talking about Illinois poetry's rich history, and reading from my own work, I aim to persuade folks that current poets do indeed speak to the pressures and anxieties and beauties of our everyday lives. Second, by donating funds toward the purchase of contemporary poetry books at local libraries, I hope to ensure that area readers are exposed to poets writing in and of their own moment in history.
Libraries Receiving "Poetry Now" Funds
(Click on library to view books purchased)
Watseka, IL Public Library / November 9, 2004
Richland Community College / Library, Decatur,
IL / April 1, 2005
Peoria, IL Public Library - April 5, 2005
Knox College Library / April 9, 2005
Elgin Community College Library / Elgin, IL
/ April 21, 2005
Columbia College Library / Chicago, IL /
April 28, 2005
Wheaton Warrenville South High School, Warrenville,
IL / May 10, 2005
Wheaton North High School, Wheaton, IL /
May 10, 2005
Western Illinois University, Macomb, IL / September
25, 2005
Kankakee Community College, Kankakee, IL / September
29, 2005
Kennedy Junior High School, Lisle, IL / October
20, 2005
Elmhurst College, Elmhurst, IL / November
3, 2005
Illinois College, Jacksonville, IL / November
17-18, 2005
College of DuPage / March 30, 2006
Carol Stream Public Library / November
2, 2006
Millikin University Library / Decatur, IL
/ November 10, 2006
Kewanee Public Library / Kewanee, IL / April
6, 2006
Southern Illinois University / Edwardsville, IL
/ April 20, 2006
Eureka College, Melick Library / Eureka, IL
/ April 19, 2007
Urbana Free Library / Urbana, IL / April 26, 2007
Parkland Community College / Champaign-Urbana, IL / April 26, 2007
Bradley University / Cullom-Davis Library / June
15, 2007
A. N. Pritzker School / Chicago, IL / October 20, 2007
Ayer Public Library / Delavan, IL / November 1, 2007
MacMurray College / Jacksonville, IL / February 21, 2008
Lincoln Middle School / Berwyn, IL / April 3, 2008
Northern Illinois University / DeKalb, IL / April 4, 2008
Highland Park Public Library, Highland Park, IL / April 17, 2008
Wheaton Public Library / Wheaton, IL / September 17, 2008
Warrenville Public Library / Warrenville, IL / September 17, 2008
Jacksonville Public Library / Jacksonville, IL / November 13, 2008
Indian Creek High School / Shabbona, IL / March 26, 2009
Tredway Library / Augustana College / Rock Island, IL / April 2, 2009
Hinsdale Public Library / Hinsdale, IL / September 11, 2009
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