Library hosts teen poetry evening

"In the coffee house tradition," the Carson City Library will host an "Xpress-o Yourself" evening of poetry Saturday designed by and for area teens.

"Poetry reading is cool because you get to share it with other people," said Destiny Casci, 13, a home-schooled event organizer.

The library's 10-member, all-volunteer teen advisory board, which came up with the idea and organized the event, will offer a microphone and spotlight for poets and readers.

Refreshments will be served, including coffee, soft drinks, doughnuts, caramel-apple slices and a veggie tray with dip. Some refreshments for the poetry evening were donated by Albertsons.

"There'll be plenty of poetry there for people to read and, of course, they're welcome to read their own poetry as well," said Cory King, youth services librarian.

The teen advisory board includes three home-schoolers and students from Eagle Valley and Carson middle Schools and Carson High School. The group came together last summer after King put up fliers in the library and placed ads in the paper. "It was also word of mouth," he said.

This will be the first event planned by the teen board since it formed last summer. The board meets once a month.

"It takes a little time to get everybody on the same page as far as what kind of event they want to have and just to hash out details," said King.

While this event is geared toward teens and younger poetry enthusiasts, King said that during National Library Week in April, there may be poetry events open to all ages.

"We're talking about other programs with a broader age range," he said.

Teen advisory board members have spread the word about the poetry event at their respective schools and around town.

"We hope to get a small crowd," said King.

IF YOU GO

What: "Xpress-o Yourself" evening of poetry reading, food and refreshments

When: 6-8:30 p.m. Saturday

Where: Carson City Library, 900 N. Roop St.

Call: 887-2244, ext. 1004.