Thousands of years ago, poetry was conceived.
And in mankind’s continuous quest to express himself, poetry remains one of the most potent forms of communication.
In 1996, April was first designated as National Poetry Month by the Academy of American Poets. Since that time, April has become a time to celebrate this unique form of prose and discover, once more, the power of words.
“Couplets and Coffee 2!” at the Encino-Tarzana Branch of the Los Angeles Public Library, is a special program designed to get teens involved in poetry. The second annual event is an Open Mic Night that invites teens to either share poems they’ve authored, or simply read their favorite poems by other authors. Akin to open mic events held at coffeehouses throughout the Los Angeles area, the library happening will include free coffee and pastries provided by Whole Foods Market in Tarzana.
Teen Services Librarian Candice Mack said that the poetry event is a great opportunity for young people to express themselves in a relaxed environment. There are strong parallels between poetry and the lyrics in many of the songs that teens enjoy, she explained, so often teens easily connect with poetry. She views the poetry get-together as one more way for young people to have fun, and continue to learn at the same time.
In recent months, Mack said, that there has been a steady increase in the number of teens who are involved at the branch library. She attributes this to several of the programs that the library hosts including the Teen Council and the Teen Volunteer Program. As members of the council, teens are instrumental in deciding and planning the activities that will take place at their specific branch. Among the upcoming events at the Encino-Tarzana branch will be a Harry Potter gala celebration this summer, in conjunction with the July 15th premiere of the feature film “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2”.
Through the Teen Volunteer Program, participants can volunteer at the library and receive community service hours, which is often a requirement for local high school students. In addition, college applications frequently inquire about a candidate’s community service involvement. For those students who are thinking about college, the Encino-Tarzana branch offers free practice ACT and SAT examinations with follow-up sessions. (Click here for SAT practice exam schedule at LAPL. Preregistration is required.)
Mack, enthusiastic about getting teens involved, likes to think of the library as sort of a community center for youth. “There’s a lot of cool things happening at the library,” she said. “It’s one of the last places where teens can still hang out for free.”
(“Couplets and Coffee 2” will be held on Thursday, April 14th from 4:00-5:00 p.m. Admission is free. The Encino-Tarzana branch library is located at 18231 Ventura Blvd. Tarzana 91356. For additional information call: (818) 343-1983.)
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