Poet Laureate Kooser to have first Library of Congress reading Oct. 7
Released on 10/06/2004, at 2:00 AM
Office of University Communications
University of Nebraska–Lincoln
WHEN: Thursday, Oct. 7, 2004, through Oct. 9, 2004
WHERE: Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.; National Mall, Washington, D.C.
The new poet laureate consultant in poetry, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Professor Ted Kooser, will inaugurate the Library of Congress literary season with readings from his work Oct. 7. He will also be a featured author at the fourth National Book Festival on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., Oct. 9.
The weekend's events mark the beginning of Kooser's official designation as the poet laureate consultant in poetry and his first visit to the Library of Congress, with which he will work throughout 2004-05 to promote poetry nationally.
Kooser's first poetry reading is 6:45 p.m. Oct. 7 in the Montpelier Room at the Library of Congress. He will also be honored at a luncheon earlier that day.
The fourth National Book Festival Oct. 9, organized and sponsored by the Library of Congress and hosted by Laura Bush, takes place, rain or shine, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the National Mall. Some 75 authors will be reading from their works, discussing their writing habits and autographing their books all day. Thousands of visitors will meet their favorite writers in pavilions such as History & Biography, Home & Family, Science Fiction & Fantasy and Teens & Children. Among the authors, illustrators and artists on hand Oct. 9 will be Joyce Carol Oates, Clive Cussler, Edward P. Jones, Juan Williams, Anna Quindlen, Douglas Brinkley, Nicholas Sparks, Kate DiCamillo, Cokie Roberts, Michael Cunningham, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and poet Dana Gioia, chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts.
Kooser was announced as the poet laureate on Aug. 12. The job carries with it few specific duties so writers can work on their own projects. The post includes an office at the Library of Congress, a $35,000 salary and an obligation to deliver and organize readings. Among Kooser's planned activities are visits to the American Library Association conference, the Des Moines National Poetry Festival, and the National Council of Teachers of English conference in Indianapolis.
CONTACTS: Bibi Marti, Library of Congress, (888) 714-4696
Erika Kuebler Rippeteau, NU Press, (402) 472-5938
Kelly Bartling, University Communications (402) 366-4271 (cell)