National Poetry Month

Initiated in April 1996 by the Academy of American Poets, National Poetry Month is currently the largest world-wide literary celebration. It encourages booksellers, libraries, poets, publishers, and schools to promote the importance of poetry and its significance to society and culture. Mississippi State University Libraries is participating in the festivities this year, and we hope our events and programs inspire you to celebrate poetry in April and throughout the year!

By celebrating Poetry Month, Mississippi State University Libraries hopes to promote poetry by:

• exploring the legacy and achievements of poets,
• promoting poetry readings,
• helping teachers bring poetry into their classrooms,
• increasing awareness of poetry in local and national media outlets,
• advocating for increased publication and distribution of poetry books, and
• supporting poets and poetry.

Want to show your support for National Poetry Month? Order a free National Poetry Month poster here!

The 2025 poster features an excerpt from “Gate A-4”, a poem by former Young People’s Poet Laureate and Academy Chancellor Naomi Shihab Nye, as well as artwork by New York Times-bestselling author and illustrator Christy Mandin.

If you wish to request the official National Poetry Month poster or download a digital copy, click here.