A Note From Our Executive Director

In support of efforts to diminish the spread of COVID-19, Poets House is postponing all public programs scheduled throughout the rest of March. For only the second time in 32 years the library is temporarily closed, until further notice. I send deep wishes for your well-being. Poets House is with you, in solidarity. We are anxious, along with you—but we are also inspired by examples of community, caring and responsibility. We are inspired by poetry itself, as it helps us find a voice even in extremity. Although we have had to close the library and postpone programs in an effort to safeguard staff and constituents, we are trying to find new and creative ways to connect with our community and support the poetic voice that is deep within us.

Our website and e-mail newsletter will continue to send news about our programmatic offerings—only now, the focus will be on the poetry we can share with you from afar. We hope that finding new ways to program online and to explore the treasures of our collections remotely will help us all discover new ways of being together—even as we hunker down to protect each other. Stay tuned for details of our new video programming.

Our workshops are moving online. For those of you who feel confused or overwhelmed by the technologies, your workshop registration will also include a free tutorial session about using the technology.

In this time of emergency, poetry has a role to play—to help us hear each other and comfort each other. Poetry will help us build strength from the inside. And when the crisis is over, it will help us rebuild communities and institutions—help us become aware of beauty and help us address the gaps in society that we must work together to correct.

We send support and warm wishes to you and thank you for the ways you build community by protecting each other. We will remain agile and continue to post information about our openings & closings, and be active online.

With sincere wishes of health and resiliency,
Lee Briccetti, Executive Director