Title
Recommendation to Appoint Cathy Dana and Gene Kahane as Alameda's Poet Laureates. (Library 210) [Not heard on September 5, 2017]
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Jill Keimach, City Manager
Re: Recommendation to Appoint Cathy Dana and Gene Kahane as Alameda's Poet Laureates
BACKGROUND
In 2002, the City Council created the position of Alameda Poet Laureate. The Poet Laureate is an honorary title given to a person who has exhibited excellence in the literary arts. Mary Rudge was appointed Alameda's first Poet Laureate, a position she held from 2002 until 2014. Julia Park Tracey was selected as Alameda's second Poet Laureate who served from 2014 to 2017. Ms. Park Tracey moved out of Alameda and was no longer eligible for reappointment as Poet Laureate.
The appointment term for the Poet Laureate is three (3) years with the possibility of one reappointment. The following are some of the key goals of the Alameda Poet Laureate.
? The Poet Laureate encourages citizens to express their literary creativity; and
? The Poet Laureate will promote and showcase original works of citizens; and
? The Poet Laureate will promote a love of poetry, literature, and the written word in Alameda and beyond; and
? The Poet Laureate creates works of the written word that commemorates special events in the life of the City of Alameda.
The Poet Laureate's term will begin in September 2017, during which they will raise the profile of poetry and creative writing in general within the City of Alameda through public events and community service activities, and provide mentorship to the city's youth.
DISCUSSION
After researching the selection process used in 2002, the Alameda Free Library held an informal meeting in July 2014 with the local poetry community to discuss the goals and expectations for the Alameda Poet Laureate. Based on that input and discussions with individuals involved in the original selection process, a new selection process for ...
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