Unless otherwise noted, tickets to and reservations for these events are not required.

August 2017

Thursday, August 31, 4:00 PM
NATIONAL STUDENT POETS PROGRAM

Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden and Institute of Museum and Library Services Director Kathryn K. Matthew will appoint the sixth class of National Student Poets, five outstanding youth poets from across the United States, for their original work. Program to include a plaque ceremony and poetry reading.  Public reception to follow. Free tickets required. Presented in partnership with the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers.

Location: Mumford Room, sixth floor, James Madison Building <view map>
Contact: (202) 707-5394

September 2017

Wednesday, September 13, 7:00 PM
POET LAUREATE INAUGURAL READING

Tracy K. Smith will give her inaugural reading as the 22nd Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry. She will be joined by National Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman, who will open the event by reading an original poem. Free tickets required. Presented in partnership with Urban Word. Public reception with book sales and signing to follow.

Location: Coolidge Auditorium, ground floor, Thomas Jefferson Building <view map>
Contact: (202) 707-5394

Thursday, September 28, 12:00 PM
CONVERSATIONS WITH AFRICAN POETS AND WRITERS: ANTJIE KROG

South African writer Antjie Krog will read selections of her work and participate in a moderated discussion with Laverne Page, Africa Area Specialist in the African and Middle Eastern Division. This event is free and open to the public. Co-sponsored by the Library of Congress African and Middle Eastern Division and presented in partnership with the Africa Society of the National Summit on Africa and Howard University.

Location: African and Middle Eastern Division Reading Room, LJ-220, Thomas Jefferson Building <view map>
Contact: (202) 707-5394

October 2017

Saturday, October 14, 11:30 AM (rescheduled from March 28, 2016)
WITTER BYNNER FELLOWSHIP READING: RAY GONZALEZ

21st Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry Juan Felipe Herrera will introduce 2017 Witter Bynner Fellow Ray Gonzalez, who will read a selection of his work followed by a conversation with Rob Casper, head of the Poetry and Literature Center. Co-sponsored by The Loft Literary Center and The Minnesota Center for the Book.

Location: Minnesota State Fairgrounds, 1265 Snelling Ave N, St Paul, MN 55108 <view map>
Contact: (202) 707-5394

Monday, October 23, 7:00 PM
THE LIFE OF A POET: DAWN LUNDY MARTIN

Poet Dawn Lundy Martin will discuss her work with Ron Charles, editor of The Washington Post's Book World. This event is free and open to the public. Reservations are required. Co-sponsored by the Hill Center and the Washington Post.

Location: Hill Center at the Old Naval Hospital (921 Pennsylvania Ave. SE)
Contact: (202) 707-5394

November 2017

Friday, November 3, 12:00 PM
INTERNATIONAL WRITING PROGRAM SPOTLIGHT

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the International Writing Program, residents Enza García Arreaza (Venezuela) and Santiago Giralt (Argentina) will participate in a discussion with Cynthia P. Schneider, former ambassador to the Netherlands and Amy Storrow, foreign service officer and Cox fellow. Christopher Merrill, director of the International Writing Program, will moderate the discussion. Co-sponsored by the Hispanic Division of the Library of Congress and presented in partnership with the International Writing Program at the University of Iowa and the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, U.S. Department of State.

Location: Whittall Pavilion, ground floor, Thomas Jefferson Building <view map>
Contact: (202) 707-5394

Thursday, November 9, 12:00 PM
LITERATURE OF WWI: YUSEF KOMUNYAKAA

Poet Yusef Komunyakaa will discuss his favorite World War I authors and read selections of his own award-winning work. This event is free and open to the public with book sales and signing to follow.

Location: Mumford Room, sixth floor, James Madison Building <view map>
Contact: (202) 707-5394

Wednesday, November 29, 7:00 PM
THE LIFE OF A POET: RAE ARMANTROUT

Poet Rae Armantrout will discuss her work with Ron Charles, editor of The Washington Post's Book World. This event is free and open to the public. Reservations are required. Co-sponsored by the Hill Center and the Washington Post.

Location: Hill Center at the Old Naval Hospital (921 Pennsylvania Ave. SE)
Contact: (202) 707-5394

January 2018

Saturday, January 13, 2:00 PM
POETS LAUREATE: FROM LA TO DC

2017 National Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman and Los Angeles Poet Laureate Robin Coste Lewis will participate in a reading and moderated discussion with Rob Casper, head of the Poetry and Literature Center on the value of poetry, place, and laureateship. Mila Eve Cuda, 2017-18 Los Angeles Youth Poet Laureate, will open the event. Book sales and signing will follow. Presented in partnership with Urban Word, Los Angeles Public Library, Department of Cultural Affairs, City of Los Angeles, and California State Center for the Book.

Location: Los Angeles Central Library, Mark Taper Auditorium, Los Angeles, CA, 90071
Contact: (202) 707-5394

February 2018

Tuesday, February 27, 12:00 PM
CONVERSATIONS WITH AFRICAN POETS AND WRITERS: BUSHRA AL-FADIL

2017 Caine Prize winner Bushra al-Fadil will read from his prize-winning short story “The Story of the Girl Whose Birds Flew Away” and participate in a moderated discussion with Africa Area Specialist in the African and Middle Eastern Division, Marieta Harper. This event is free and open to the public. Book sales and signing will follow. Co-sponsored by the Library of Congress African and Middle Eastern Division. Presented in partnership with The Africa Society of the National Summit on Africa, The Caine Prize for African Writing, and the Center for African Studies at Howard University.

Location:African and Middle Eastern Division Reading Room, LJ-220, Thomas Jefferson Building <view map>
Contact: (202) 707-5394

March 2018

Thursday, March 15, 6:30 PM
NATIONAL YOUTH POET LAUREATE CELEBRATION

2017 National Youth Poet Laureate, Amanda Gorman and the 2018 National Youth Poet Laureate finalists will participate in a reading and moderated discussion with Michael Cirelli, executive director of Urban Word NYC. This event is free and open to the public. Co-sponsored by the Library of Congress Young Readers Center. Presented in partnership with Urban Word.

Location: Mumford Room, sixth floor, James Madison Building <view map>
Contact: (202) 707-5394

Wednesday, March 21, 7:00 PM
THE LIFE OF A POET: LAURA KASISCHKE

Poet Laura Kasischke will discuss her work with Ron Charles, editor of The Washington Post's Book World. This event is free and open to the public. Reservations are required. Co-sponsored by the Hill Center and the Washington Post.

Location: Hill Center at the Old Naval Hospital (921 Pennsylvania Ave. SE)
Contact: (202) 707-5394

April 2018

Wednesday, April 11, 7:00 PM
THE LIFE OF A POET: MATTHEW ZAPRUDER

Poet Matthew Zapruder will discuss his work with Ron Charles, editor of The Washington Post's Book World. This event is free and open to the public. Reservations are required. Co-sponsored by the Hill Center and the Washington Post.

Location: Hill Center at the Old Naval Hospital (921 Pennsylvania Ave. SE)
Contact: (202) 707-5394

Thursday, April 19, 7:00 PM
POET LAUREATE SPRING LECTURE

22nd U.S. Poet Laureate Tracy K. Smith will celebrate the conclusion of her first term as laureate. This event is free and open to the public. Book sales and signing will follow.

Location: Coolidge Auditorium, ground floor, Thomas Jefferson Building <view map>
Contact: (202) 707-5394

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