Read, Renew, Haiku
The 2024 Wilmington Memorial Library Poetry Contest is happening now!
All ages can submit a poem, written with the theme Conservation, Earth, or Nature in mind, now through Tuesday, April 30. Please read though our contest rules and information before submitting. Contestants can submit online or print a submission form and bring their poem to the library. If you’re having any trouble, please email us at kids@wilmlibrary.org. Teachers can submit by classroom at the bottom of this page.
Contest Rules
- Your name should only be on this submission form and not on any page of your poem.
- The theme of your poem should revolve around Earth, nature, or conservation.
- Poems can be in any style, participants are not limited to haiku.
- Poems must not exceed 20 lines in length.
- Poems must not be larger than an 8 1/2 x 11 sheet.
- Only one submission per person.
- Deadline to submit to the Wilmington Memorial Library is Tuesday, April 30.
Winners
A panel of judges will select winners in the following categories: Adult, High School, Middle School, and Elementary School Grades Kindergarten through 5th. Winners and honorable mentions will be invited to a Poetry Party on Wednesday, May 15 at 6pm, but all are welcome to attend. Winners will receive a book of poetry from the Friends of the Library and honorable mentions will receive a coupon for the Book Store Next Door.
Need some inspiration?
Check out these theme ideas to help you get started.
- Conservation as a movement focuses on protecting species from extinction, maintaining and restoring habitats, enhancing ecosystem services and protecting biological diversity.
- How do you help the Earth?
- What can you observe in your local habitat?
- What’s your favorite thing to do outside?
Teachers
Teachers can submit online for up to 10 kids at a time. Submit as many times as needed to enter your full class into the contest. Each poem document must be titled “Teacher’s Name – Kid’s Name”.
Prefer physical submissions? Feel free to submit poems to the library by filling out a printable Teacher Submission Form (two pages) and either dropping off the poems at the library, sending them via interdepartmental delivery, or scheduling a pickup by emailing us at kids@wilmlibrary.org.
Students’ names should only be on the submission forms and not on any page of their poem, except the back, if submitting physically, and on the name of the file, if submitting digitally.
