Get ready for York County Libraries’ 35th Annual “A Celebration of Poetry” contest.  Open to York and Adams County students in grades 1 – 12, we are looking for students to write an original poem in their style of choice. Submitting original artwork with poems is encouraged but not required. For all the contest rules and the official entry form visit www.yorklibraries.org/poetry. Submissions will be accepted online from November 20, 2023 through January 19, 2024.  

 Contest entries will be judged by a panel of local educators and poets who will select winners in the following age groups: Grades 1-2, Grades 3-4, Grades 5-6, Grades 7-8, Grades 9-10, and Grades 11-12. Winning poems will be published in a commemorative booklet. In addition, winners will be invited to read their poems during “A Celebration of Poetry” event from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. on April 17, 2024. Questions about the contest? Just email ysdepartment@yorklibraries.org.  

 “Writing poetry allows students to use their imaginations and to express their thoughts and opinions creatively,” says York County Libraries Youth Services Director Mindy McDonnell. “Plus, by learning to work with language in a new way, they are actually becoming better readers too.”