Poetic Strokes
SELCO identified a regional project to demonstrate the artistic and literary heritage of libraries and poets in Southeastern Minnesota and launched a regional poetry contest in 2010. The Poetic Strokes contest called for local poets to submit an original piece to be considered for publication in the regional anthology, Poetic Strokes. This would be the fourth volume in the Poetic Strokes series – previous contests took place in 1999-2001 and had to be ceased due to limited funding. The revival of Poetic Strokes was a definite need in the SELCO region as library staff and patrons were looking for an opportunity to showcase the talent in Southeastern Minnesota.
After contracting with emen design to design the call for poets, announcements were sent out to SELCO member libraries and regional writing groups, and flyers were available to post in public locations. A press release was also created. The submission guides for the poetry contest were:
• Poets must be 16 years of age or older
• Poets must reside in the eleven-county region of Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha, and Winona Counties
• Poems about libraries or reading are encouraged, but all poems are welcome
• Poems must be typed out and can be submitted as either digital attachments through e-mail or mailed paper copies
• A cover sheet must be submitted
• The maximum length allowed will be three poems or three pages
• (see attachment for more details)
After the submission deadline, SELCO staff worked with a judging panel to create criteria for poetry selection. All poems were reviewed and the selections were made based on the criteria created by the panel. SELCO staff and emen design selected artwork and a design layout for Poetic Strokes. After publication, copies of Poetic Strokes were provided to the contributing poets, SELCO member libraries, and members of the Minnesota Legislature, including the Governor.
Once the anthologies were distributed, the judging panel, contributing poets, and patrons checking out Poetic Strokes were surveyed. Copies of Poetic Strokes were added to the SELCO professional collection so patrons statewide could checkout a copy via Interlibrary Loan. A local selected poet mentioned the Poetic Strokes contest in her blog, and Minnesota Governor Pawlenty sent a signed letter of thanks and appreciation to SELCO staff for promoting reading and literature.
Event Dates and Locations:
SELCO accepted submissions for the Poetic Strokes poetry contest from January 1, 2010 to February 15, 2010. A panel of three poetry judges was selected and judging of the poetry took place March-April 2010. Poems were selected and the Poetic Strokes was printed and distributed in early May 2010.
Activity Details
Partner Organization(s): em en design (www.emendesign.com), a local graphic arts firm in Rochester, MN
Partner Organization(s) Contribution/Role in the Program: The graphic arts firm, em en design, designed the Poetic Strokes flyers and the layout for the Poetic Strokes anthology.
Program Outputs: Outputs are things you can count such as attendance, number of new participants, and the number of attendees who had never been at a similar event, and so on.
• 2,500 posters and other public announcements, inviting poets to submit their work, were distributed region-wide.
• 118 poets submitted a total of 280 poems for judging from 30 different communities, representing all 11 SELCO counties.
• A panel of three poetry judges was selected.
• 42 poems by 30 poets were selected by the judging panel for publication in the 2010 Poetic Strokes anthology.
• 1,500 copies of the Poetic Strokes anthology were ordered, printed, and distributed to SELCO member libraries, contributing poets, and legislative members.
Measurable Outcomes may be collected by survey, anecdotal responses, post-test; End user change in Behavior, Attitude, Skills, Knowledge, Condition and/or Status
SELCO staff surveyed all participating poets and found it was a wonderful experience for most all participants. 100% of participating poets returning surveys found that the Poetic Strokes contest met their expectations, was enjoyable, and increased interest in writing poetry. 78% of participating poets returning surveys said they were more likely to submit to future Poetic Strokes contests and other writing contests. 89% of participating poets returning surveys were more likely to read local poets and poetry in general, and 78% were more likely to connect with other local poets. 94% of participating poets thought the Poetic Strokes contest was Good or Excellent. (See attached copy of survey for questions). Here are some comments from submitting poets:
- It is wonderful that you are interested in encouraging poetry! The book you put together is LOVELY!
- Thank you! A great use of heritage funds!
- Love that this was available! I was notified that I didn’t make the cut. At least I was notified – that shows respect for respondents. Please make this available again next year!
- The opportunity to submit and then have my poetry accepted for publication is wonderful.
- It gives anyone a chance to be recognized!
- Thanks for the chance to have my poetry get more exposure! Maybe next time host a “Meet the Poets” event so participants can get to know each other.
- I could not find any posters and the only info I got was off your website. Better advertising is in order!
- I am thrilled to have work in such a well made publication – and that it is regional & on the shelves of area libraries!
Patrons at the SELCO member libraries are, too, pleased with the publication of Poetic Strokes and are checking copies out. 100% of surveyed patrons thought Poetic Strokes was enhanced their knowledge and understanding of local poets, increased their interest in reading and writing poetry, and made them more likely to attend future poetry workshops and/or readings at the library. Here is what patrons wrote down as what they liked best about Poetic Strokes:
- Diversity of poetry and knowing these are local poets!
- I love being able to use local poets and this collection is a great place to find new work by local poets.
- Local talent – lots of library poems. Beautifully produced!
The Poetic Strokes patron survey is still active as libraries are handing out paper copies to all patrons who check out Poetic Strokes at the library. The Poetic Strokes judging panel was interviewed and asked how they felt about the judging process and if they learned anything new. Here were some responses:
- Thank you for the enjoyable and useful experience!
- The only suggestion I would have would to be to have a section for the young, student writers or young adult. It seems unfair to have to judge them against people who have taught poetry at college level.
- I thought the judging process was effective and efficient. I have not worked with SELCO before – I learned that you are well-organized and, as they say, a “class act.”
SELCO is committed to improving the collection process of outcomes for the second year of Poetic Strokes by increasing ways to publicize to hit more of the SELCO’s 11 counties to increase participation and to work closely with writers groups to establish poetry readings and workshops around the SELCO region.