Poetic Strokes
For the poets, the proposed outcomes will include better writing skills and confidence gained by writing and having pieces in publication. SELCO will survey a random selection of the poets published in the 2013 anthology requesting information about changes in their writing patterns and descriptions of any additional publications.
For the readers of Poetic Strokes and/or attendees at poetry readings, the proposed outcomes will include assessing:
• Familiarity with local poets and an encouragement to consider personal creative writing
• Comfort level with attending future poetry workshops or readings or submitting their own poetry to future publications
• Library staff will also be surveyed and give feedback on the 2013 Poetic Strokes contest.
Of the poets responding to the SELCO survey, 93% indicated that Poetic Strokes - Wordflow met their expectations and 73% will consider submitting work to other publications.
Personal comments included:
• The book is always very well done - something local poets now value participating in.
• I like the high quality of the publication, the fact that it is in libraries and the addition, this year, of the poetry by young people.
• Poetic Strokes is well on its way to becoming a well-respected anthology.
The inclusion of youth poetry in a segregated Wordflow section also generated less favorable opinions:
• Separate Poetic Strokes and Wordflow into two volumes
• Poetic Strokes suffered a serious blow with the addition of Wordflow.
Personal Comments from the Poetry Tour included:
• I'm a writer and a teacher. Thank you for supporting contemporary poetry and live readings in our community.
• This is a great program. I'm happy to pay taxes to support programs like this.
SELCO (Southeastern Libraries Cooperating), Austin Public Library, The Brickhouse Coffee Shop - Austin, Owatonna Public Library, University Center Rochester - Rochester Community and Technical College, St. Charles Schools, St. Charles Public Library