Leaves of Bark

Paul Lawrence Dunbar at Library of Congress

The Poetry Foundation's very cool "Washington DC Poetry Tour" reveals that Paul Lawrence Dunbar worked in the stacks at the Library of Congress and was the 1st poet - black or white -- to give a public reading at the LOC. (As a side note, the PF says Dunbar hated the job down in the stacks)

Nearing 50 Living Library Poets

In less than two months the Leaves of Bark blog has identified almost 50 living library poets around the world: 28 in the US, and 14 from various nations., including Namibia, Scotland, France, England, the Czech Republic, and Canada.

Thanks to everyone who has sent poems and biographical information. Keep on spreading the word and remember, we have a Contemporary Library Poetry page to highlight the poems of library-poets if you want to send us a sample or two.

The Voyage of The Leaves of Bark

Welcome to Leaves of Bark, where we document the nexus between poetry  (the spoken and written word) and librarianship (the keepers of libers, of books, of bark). Both poet and librarian are essentially scribblers on bark.

We have a page for famous Poet Librarians of the Past, and a growing Roll of Honor for both US and International Living Library Poets.

Throughout history some of our greatest poets have been librarians, and some of our best librarians have been poets. Such creators have found inspiration in the brilliant catacombs of library stacks...and maybe you are one?