York County Libraries (YCL) are seeking entries for the 34th annual "A Celebration of Poetry" Contest. The contest is open to York County and Adams County students in first through 12th grades. Entrants are asked to write an original poem in their style of choice. According to organizers, submitting original artwork with poems is encouraged, but not required.

The complete contest rules and official entry form are available at http://www.yorklibraries.org/poetry. Submissions will be accepted online and at all YCL locations through Friday, Jan. 20, 2023.

To help students prepare for the contest, YCL staff will post weekly poetry prompts on social media and will offer Pop-Up Poetry stations at York County libraries and Gettysburg Library. Youths are encouraged to visit a library to explore a variety of poetry styles, rhymes, and rhythms at the new stations. In addition, planning for two poetry workshops in December is underway. Details will be posted on the YCL events calendar.

Contest entries will be judged by a panel of local educators and poets who will select winners in several age groups: grades one and two, three and four, five and six, seven and eight, nine and 10, and 11 and 12. Winning poems will be published in a commemorative booklet.

Winners will be invited to read their poems during "A Celebration of Poetry," set for 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, April 26, 2023.

For more information, contact ysdepartment@yorklibraries.org or visit http://www.yorklibraries.org.