“Poem in Your Pocket” Week Returns to Media April 25 – May 1

“Poem in Your Pocket” 

Week Returns to Media April 25 – May 1

Contact:  Winnie Host, Librarian 610-627-6272 whost@rtmsd.org

If you plan to be in Media during the week of April 25 – May 1, don’t leave home without first putting a poem in your pocket.  Why?  So you can share it with your favorite store owner, police officer or neighbor and earn a treat. 

For the second year of what they hope will become a long-standing tradition, the Rose Tree Media School District, the Media Upper Providence Library, the Middletown Library and other neighborhood groups will sponsor “Poem in Your Pocket,” a week-long celebration of literacy, poetry and community.  During “Poem in Your Pocket” week, Media-area residents are encouraged to share poems with one another – at home, at school and, more importantly, in public places, such as downtown State Street and more than 20 local stores and restaurants.  Participating Media businesses will be offering special deals and discounts to anyone who comes in and recites a poem.

“Poem in Your Pocket” is just one of the activities available during April as part of National Poetry Month.  This wacky poetry fest has met with great success in other parts of the country, and local librarians thought promoting it here might help to strengthen the ties that exist between the schools, libraries and local businesses.

“We know that promoting literacy is a goal that the entire community shares, and we thought this program would be a great way to accomplish that goal and also teach people that poetry can be fun,” said Winnie Host, librarian at Penncrest High School.  “We are grateful to the local businesses that are participating, and really amazed at their overwhelming interest in this program.  We encourage people to take a trip into Media with a poem and take advantage of the special deals that are being offered. ” 

Carol Sciarra of Selene’s Whole Food Coop is one of the enthusiastic “Poem in Your Pocket” participating merchants.  “We had a very positive experience last year.  The kids and the poetry are wonderful and we appreciate efforts that will encourage people to visit downtown Media and shop in our store. One girl read a poem we liked so much we all wanted a copy.  We’re looking forward to hearing some great poems again this year.”