Poetic work
Anyone interested in becoming the ninth Santa Clara County Poet Laureate can attend an informational workshop at the Milpitas Library on July 7.
The Santa Clara County Library District, in partnership with SVCREATES and support from Poetry Center San José, is accepting applications starting July 6 for the 2027-28 poet laureate, an honorary post that acts as an advocate for poetry, literature and the arts and takes part in public readings and civic events. The next poet laureate will receive a stipend of $6,000 per year.
The Milpitas workshop is set for 6:30-7:30 p.m.; no registration is required. There is also an online information session planned for July 10, 5:30-6:30 p.m.; register at https://bit.ly/49zWhmq. SVCreates’ Director of Programs Sinjin Jones is holding one-on-one virtual office hours for for interested poets who need help with their application; sign up at https://bit.ly/4vJSHir.
Applications for poet laureate will be accepted through Aug. 14 at 5 p.m. at SVCREATES.org/Poet-Laureate, where more information on the position is available.
Summer reads
The Santa Clara County Library District launched its summer reading program on June 1, encouraging patrons to “Plant a Seed, Read.”
To get started, patrons can visit sccld.org/summer and sign up for the Summer Reading Challenge in Beanstack. Librarians have compiled suggested summer book lists for kids and teens. All children who read and log at least five books—including audiobooks, ebooks, comics and picture books—and complete one activity will receive a prize while supplies last. Prizes are also available for teens and adults.
The library district also has myriad events and activities planned for all ages as part of the summer reading program. Artist Gigi Farmer will lead a Kanzashi flower-making workshop at the Milpitas Library on June 13, 2-4 p.m. Participants ages 12-18 will make sustainable fabric flowers that can be transformed into other charms and trinkets. All materials will be provided.