Charleston County Public Library is teaming up with For The Scribes, an independent online writing space (forthescribes.com), throughout the month of April to host a poetry competition.
You must be 14 or older to have your work considered. Please submit no more than two poems either by emailing [email protected] or in person at any CCPL branch between Sunday, April 1, 2018 and Wednesday, April 18, 2018. There are no limitations for length, style, or presentation. The For The Scribes team will select three winners from both a teen and an adult category. Each winner will receive a literary-themed prize.
If chosen as a winner, you will be asked to share your pieces as part of a National Poetry Month celebration at the Main Branch of CCPL on Monday, April 30 at 6 p.m. If you have any additional questions, please email [email protected] or call 843-805-6946.
A little too shy to compete with your words? We have a bunch of events you can join to celebrate National Poetry Month at several of our branches. Here's the list:
West Ashley Library
Celebrate National Poetry Month (teens)
Monday, April 23 to Friday, April 27, 2018.
Celebrate National Poetry Month by telling us about your favorite poem or preferred poet, and receive a Treat!
James Island Library
"Fridge Magnet" Poetry
Throughout April, adults can use random cut-out words from magazines to paste together short poems of their own creation to display in the library or take home.
Mt. Pleasant Regional Library
Poetry Scavenger Hunt (ages 3-11)
Throughout April
Mt. Pleasant Regional LibrarySearch for poems in the children's department to win a prize and add your name to the Poet-tree. It's a passive program where patrons can pick a poem from the display every day in April.
Village Library
Celebrate National Poetry Month
Throughout April
Create and display your original poetry at the library. Prizes will be awarded for the best entries.
Hurd/St. Andrews Regional Library
Poetry Station for Kids and Families
Throughout April
Rewrite a Shel Silverstein poem Mad-Lib style, write your own poem for our Poet-Tree and find a poetry book to take home!
Teen Spot Poetree (Poetry) for Teens
Throughout April
Write your favorite verse of poetry on a leaf and receive a sweet treat!
Poem to Poet Contest for Adults
Throughout April
Match the poem to the corresponding poet.
Edgar Allan Poe/Sullivan's Island Library
POE-etry Writer's Group (adults)
Tuesday, April 10 and 24 (2nd and 4th Tuesdays) at 10:30 a.m.
Gather with fellow poets to share and improve your work.
POE-etry Reading (all ages)
Saturday, April 21 at 12 p.m.
Local poets are invited to share their works in celebration of National Poetry Month. Those interested in reading their poetry should call 843-883-3914 for details.
Otranto Road Regional Library
Adult Poetry Contest
April 2-30
Celebrate National Poetry Month by submitting up to three original poems during April. The three best entries will win prizes and be displayed in the library. Prizewinners announced May 2.
Tweens & Teens Poetry Contest
April 2-30
Submit up to three poems during April in celebration of National Poetry Month. The poems will be on display in the YA section of the library. Winners announced May 2.
Library Mad Libs
Throughout April
Celebrate National Poetry Month with Mad Libs poetry.
Dorchester Road Regional Library
National Poetry Month
April (all month)
Celebrate National Poetry Month by writing a poem to be displayed in the Children’s area.
STEAM Club
Wednesdays, April 4, 11, 18, and 25 at 3:45 p.m.
Explore STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) with hands-on activities.
April 4: Minecraft Week
April 11: Art Week (Rotate through several stations, including a poetry station)
April 18: Science Week
April 25: Math and Engineering Week
Main Library
A P-Nut Party by P-Nut the Lowcountry Poet
Throughout April
Saul Alexander Gallery
In 2017, P-Nut the Lowcountry Poet decided he wanted to try his hand at telling neighborhood stories through painting. A poet for more than 30 years, P-Nut has shared his ideas about Charleston through words, but has now added to his tool box his works on canvas. Bright colors, iconic motifs (red dots on a liquor store; dogs; music) and an infectious fun energy are the hallmarks of his work. The First Monday Gallery Night opening reception will be held on April 2 from 6-7p.m.
A P-Nut Poetry Party
Wednesday, April 25 at 6 p.m.
Auditorium
Join April's featured Saul Alexander Gallery artist Joseph "P-Nut" Johnson for a night of poetry and fun. A P-Nut Party can happen anywhere. It can happen in a bar, where P-Nut the Lowcountry Poet writes poems on napkins. A P-Nut Party can happen after a long day, sharing stories on his front stoop over a cold Bud Light. A P-Nut Party can be moonshine and daylight. A P-Nut Party can be a big Gullah dinner, pigtail, hoppin’ john and peas. At a P-Nut Party, we don’t have color, white or black. It’s just us. A P-Nut Party is nuts.
The Shakespeare You Can't Ignore
Monday, April 16, 2018 - 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Dr. Margaret Oakes will explore some of Shakespeare’s edgier yet lesser known plays such as "Titus Andronicus," "Coriolanus," and "Troilus and Cressida" to show how he explores harsh emotion, the shock value of violence, and the cruelty of individuals as part of the range of human experience. This is a South Carolina Humanities program.
Book Spine Poetry
April 1-30
Celebrate National Poetry Month by creating a poem using only the words on Children’s book spines. Show off your poem at the Children’s Desk to earn a sweet treat.
Magnetic Poetry Competition (grades 6-12)
Throughout April
Main Library Teen Lounge
Stop by the Young Adult services desk to create a magnetic poem. Vote for your favorite submission, and the winner will receive a basket of prizes!
Break The Line!! National Poetry Month Finale
Monday, April 30 at 6 p.m.
Auditorium
This wrap-up to CCPL's National Poetry Month collaboration with the independent online writing space For The Scribes will feature readings from our Break the Line!! poetry competition winners, as well as performances from some of Charleston's best, newest, and most fresh writers, thinkers, and creative voices. Join us for an all-ages celebration of the written word!
Cooper River Memorial
Poem in My Pocket
Throughout April
Choose a poem from the bowl to carry with you all day.
Itty Bitty Book Club
Tuesday, April 3 at 10:30 a.m.
Enjoy a spring-themed STEM/poetry storytime about science and nature.