All libraries will be closed on Sunday, March 31, for Easter.

Youth Poetry Contest

Entries Accepted March 15 - April 15

Winners Announced by U.S. Poet Laureate Joy Harjo on April 25

 

 

Youth Poetry Contest FAQ

Must be a 4th - 12th grader during the entry period AND must live in or attend school in Oklahoma County.

Library employees and members of their households are not eligible.

Eligible participants may submit a maximum of 2 works. A completed online entry form must accompany each submission. Ineligible or incomplete forms and/or entries will not be judged.

Entries must NOT:

  • Be in a language other than English
  • Be copied from any other sources
  • Have been previously published
  • Be more than 1,500 words

Option 1:  Submit online submission

Option 2:  Ask a library staff member to help you submit your entry at any library location.

 

Entries will not be returned.

Library staff will serve as judges. Entries will be judged on content, originality and quality. Winners will be contacted via phone and/or email by library staff and announced on April 25 by U.S. Poet Laureate Joy Harjo. Winners will be published on the library’s website and social media platforms.

Grades 4-6 - 1 Prize Winner 

  • Wireless Headphones 
  • Prize Pack with a journal, pen and poetry books   


Grades 7-9 - 1 Prize Winner 

  • Amazon Fire Tablet 
  • Prize Pack with a journal, pen and poetry books    

 

Grades 10-12 - 1 Prize Winner 

  • Amazon Fire Tablet  
  • Prize Pack with a journal, pen and poetry books   

 

Best in Show - 1 Prize Winner 

  • iPad 
  • Wireless Headphones 
  • Prize Pack with a journal, pen and poetry books    

 

Youth Poetry Workshop

 

Poetry Workshop for 4th - 6th Grade

Presented by Mary Gray, Local Poet, MPA and MFA

Join Poet Mary Gray as she walks students through the definition of personification, delves into figurative language, and provides a guided poetry reading of works by Mordicai Gerstein. At the end of Mary’s poetry workshop, students will have the opportunity to put pen to paper with a fun writing exercise.


 

Presented by Grant Jenkins, Assoc. Prof., Faculty of English Language and Literature, University of Tulsa

Black Americans of African descent have been writing poetry in North America before the United States was even a country. Join Poetry Professor Grant Matthew Jenkins as he discusses his love and appreciation of African American Poetry. Professor Jenkins introduces young poets to poetry greats such as Phillis Wheatley, George Moses Horton, Frances Ellen Watkins Harper, Paul Laurence Dunbar, Langston Hughes, Melvin B. Tolson, Gwendolyn Brooks, Russell Atkins, Maya Angelou, Amiri Baraka, and Sonia Sanchez. He then showcases three of his favorite poets (Nathaniel Mackey, Julie Patton & Harryette Mullen) in the hopes that students will learn something about writing poetry from each of their unique writing styles, which include stuttered rhythms, improvisation, and nicknaming.


 

 

POETRY WORKSHOP FOR 7TH - 9TH GRADE

Presented by Mary Gray, Local Poet, MPA and MFA

Join Poet Mary Gray as she walks students through the definition of imagery, discusses the difference between abstract and concrete images, and provides a guided poetry reading. Mary’s poetry workshop will help young poets learn how to connect their reader with feelings or ideas that are sometimes difficult to put into words.


 

Presented by Grant Jenkins, Assoc. Prof., Faculty of English Language and Literature, University of Tulsa

Experiencing writer’s block? Not to worry! Professor and poet Grant Matthew Jenkins is here to show students how to have fun with words. Professor Jenkins talks about process-oriented writing and walks students through its four steps: free associate; sample & gather; defamiliarize; arrange. All you need is something to write with and three to four books to get started and create your own poem!


 

 

POETRY WORKSHOP FOR 10TH - 12TH GRADE

Presented by Najah Hylton, OKCPS English Teacher and Member of the Tri-City Collective, Oklahoma’s educational team of creatives for youth and communities of color

Join OKCPS teacher and poet Najah-Amatullah Hylton as she talks about poetry, what makes it interesting, what makes it fun, and her favorite things about it! Najah explains the difference between poetry and prose, delves into figurative language, specifically talks about sound devices such as alliteration, assonance, consonance, and rhyme, and provides a guided poetry reading in this informative poetry workshop video.


 

Presented by Najah Hylton, OKCPS English Teacher and Member of the Tri-City Collective, Oklahoma’s educational team of creatives for youth and communities of color

Join OKCPS teacher and poet Najah-Amatullah Hylton as she provides all the tips you need to learn how to write a poem! Najah reads one of her poems and teaches students to write their own by focusing on types of repetition. She talks about how to select a topic and explains words such as ekphrasis, anaphora, antimetabole, and chiasmus. Najah also stresses the importance of giving yourself time in your creative process and most importantly, having fun!


 

 

 

Other Poetry Month Events

This event is in the "Teens" group.

Teen Book Boxes (Signup)

All Day 3/1 - 3/31
Southern Oaks Library
Registration
Library Branch: Southern Oaks Library
Room: Online + Curbside (Southern Oaks)
Age Group: Teens
Program Type: Books & Reading
Registration Required
Seats Remaining: 0
Event Description:
Do you like books? Are you between 12-18? If the answer to both of those are "yes," we have the thing for you! Sign up for a book box and we will try to find you your new favorite book from the Juvenile or Young Adult reading level! We will con...
This event is in the "Kids" group.

Molecule Scavenger Hunt

All Day 3/1 - 3/30
Bethany Library
Library Branch: Bethany Library
Room: Onsite (Bethany)
Age Group: Kids
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Science & STEAM
Event Description:
The library is full of molecules! Can you find them all? Knowing a bit about the Dewey Decimal System will help you out.   ...

Disclaimer(s)

The library makes every effort to ensure our programs can be enjoyed by all. If you have any concerns about accessibility or need to request specific accommodations, please contact the library.

This event is in the "Teens" group.
This event is in the "Adults" group.

March Creative Writing Chapbook

03/01/2024 @ 9:00am - 03/30/2024 @ 5:00pm
Warr Acres Library
Library Branch: Warr Acres Library
Room: Onsite (Warr Acres)
Age Group: Teens, Adults
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Books & Reading, Continuing Education, Cultural Experiences, Take-Home Kit, Writing
Event Description:
Have you always wanted to explore creative writing but never had the chance? Pick up one of our creative writing chapbooks filled with creative writing exercises meant to strengthen your creative muscles! ...
This event is in the "Teens" group.
This event is in the "Adults" group.

March Mindfulness Journal

03/01/2024 @ 9:00am - 03/30/2024 @ 5:00pm
Warr Acres Library
Library Branch: Warr Acres Library
Room: Onsite (Warr Acres)
Age Group: Teens, Adults
Program Type: Health & Wellness
Event Description:
It can be difficult to take a moment to stop, slow down, and focus on something that’s good for our well-being. Pick up one of our monthly mindfulness journals filled with prompts to help you focus on your mental health!  ...
This event is in the "All Ages" group.
This event is in the "Kids" group.
This event is in the "Teens" group.
This event is in the "Adults" group.

Tangram Take Home Kit​​

All Day 3/11 - 3/30
Ralph Ellison Library
Library Branch: Ralph Ellison Library
Room: Online + Curbside (Ralph Ellison)
Age Group: All Ages, Kids, Teens, Adults
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, DIY & Hobbies, Science & STEAM, Take-Home Kit
Event Description:
You'll get a bag with seven tangram tiles. A tangram is a puzzle consisting of a square cut into pieces that can be arranged to make other shapes. Make your own puzzle.  ...

Disclaimer(s)

It is encouraged that an adult supervise children while using this Metropolitan Library System Take & Make Kit.

This event is in the "Kids" group.
This event is in the "Teens" group.
This event is in the "Adults" group.

Fan Fiction/ Fan Art Contest Gallery 2024

All Day 3/18 - 3/30
Southern Oaks Library
Library Branch: Southern Oaks Library
Room: Onsite (Southern Oaks)
Age Group: Kids, Teens, Adults
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Books & Reading, Writing
Event Description:
The Southern Oaks Library Fan Fiction and Fan Art contest was founded by John Hilbert. In dedication to John's work, the contest continues to recognize the remarkable talents of people in our community. February 1, 2024 is the first day to submit ...
View More Events