The Library will be closed on Sunday, March 31, 2024, in observance of Easter

Lynne Thompson, Poet Laureate of Los Angeles,

Lynne Thompson

Lynne Thompson reading potery at an event

Poetry Books I’m Excited About

December 13, 2022

As we approach the 2022 holidays—and the many ways we all celebrate it—folks are wondering what to gift their poetry-loving family and friends. What follows is a (necessarily incomplete) list of poetry collections that have been published in the second half of this year that you should consider.


Colorful photo illustration with text Youth Poets

Youth Poets of Los Angeles

July 13, 2022

In my role as the City’s Poet Laureate, l issued a call to L.A.’s middle schools for students’ poems responding to the following questions: What location or site in the City means the most to you & why? What part of Los Angeles would you want to save forever?


Youth Poet Laureate Jessica Kim

Interview With Los Angeles Youth Poet Laureate Jessica Kim

April 11, 2022

At what age did you begin writing poetry: Were there poets who encouraged or inspired you in the early stages and if so, who and what encouragement or inspiration did they provide?


Collage of poetry books

New or Forthcoming Books I’m Excited About

November 17, 2021

As I indicated in the November 4 episode of Poems on Air, there are a slew of new or forthcoming poetry collections that I’m excited to add to my reading table.


Collage of poetry books by Black poets

Cave Canem Poetry Fellows & Faculty

August 03, 2021

In June 2021, we celebrate the 25th anniversary of the literary organization Cave Canem which was established to educate, promote, and support Black poets.


collage of poetry book covers

Asian Pacific American Poets

May 18, 2021

One of the benefits of literature is that it allows the reader to empathize with the protagonists or—in the case of poets—with the themes and issues that concern them.


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