The university will celebrate National Poetry Month in April with readings, an exhibition on the history of the African Poetry Book Fund and visits by the University Libraries’ “poem bot.”

Organized by the University Libraries’ Diversity Committee and the Department of English’s Creative Writing Program, the celebration opens with a noon, April 3 poetry reading hosted by Kwame Dawes, Chancellor’s Professor of English and the Glenn Luschei Editor of Prairie Schooner. The event, which will be in the Adele Hall Learning Commons in Love Library North, will include creative writing faculty and graduate students reading selections from the African Poetry Book Fund catalogue and their own verses.

The reading celebrates the opening of the African Poetry Book Fund exhibition. The display showcases the five-year history of the organization and the massive scope of establishing poetry libraries in five African Libraries. The exhibition is on display from April 3 to May 4 on the second floor of Love Library North.

A second poetry reading, “Observations — Embracing the Moment,” is 7 p.m. April 10 in the learning commons. The event will include poetry readings by students in the university’s English as a Second Language program. The program is hosted by Patrick T. Randolph, a lecturer in English as a Second Language.

On select days in April, the University Libraries will display its “poem bot.” The interactive display encourages passers-by to print, read and carry with them a pocket-sized poem.

The Department of English is also holding a series of National Poetry Month events, including readings with poets Solmaz Sharif on April 5 and Patron Henekou on April 12. An overview of these events is available online.

Launched in 1996 by the Academy of American Poets, National Poetry Month is the largest literary celebration in the world. Learn more about National Poetry Month.

All poetry month activities are free and open to the public.