April is National Poetry Month!

April is National Poetry month.  Why does poetry need a month? 

Fiction doesn’t have one.  Neither does nonfiction. The other day someone said to me, I’m sorry but I HATE poetry.  And this is why poetry needs a month.

We are introduced to poetry as children.  These are usually silly little rhymes; 

later we may be forced to read Longfellow: Listen, my children, and you shall hear/ Of the midnight ride of Paul Revere…And later, we’ll read Poe: And the stars never rise, but I feel the bright eyes/ Of the beautiful Annabel Lee…And these are the ones, as children, that we understand.  And if we’re lucky enough to have a good teacher, we learn about the music in these poems, and others.  But how many of us read poems after we leave school?  When I taught undergraduate creative writing, even the students who said they liked to write poetry, didn’t read poetry. 

If you are not a seasoned reader of poetry, please do not assume it is 

inaccessible, corny or boring.  There is a poet out there you will love. 
A poem exists that can change your life--even for that moment as a
poem’s words echo through you.  Rita Dove said, “Poetry is language at
its most distilled and most powerful.”  But that doesn’t mean one cannot understand this language. 

Here are a few ways to incorporate more poetry into your life:

Come to the library and check out a poetry book!

Sign up for Poem a day on www.poets.org.  Every day a poem will be sent

to you via email.  While at poets.org, peruse their informative and
inspiring site.

Participate in Poem in Your Pocket Day on April 24th.

Minnesota has many award winning poets.  Look them up and read them.

(submitted by library staffer Brenda Hellen)

Learn a new Language! Check out Transparent Language Online

Learning a new language couldn't be easier with our new Transparent Language Online. The resource is free with your library card and available 24/7. Or download the mobile app for IOS and Android devices and learn on the go!

Features:
* 80+ languages
* Proficiency Tests
* Vocabulary Lists
* Beginner English for speakers of 24 languages
* Choice to write or speak answers

Short on time?
The Byki Quick Start feature offers:
 * 10 vocabulary lists for each language
 * Word of the Day
 * Access to TL's online social communities
 * Language and Culture blogs

go to www.northfieldmn.info - click on E-Library

Questions? Call the library at 507-645-6606