Your library is sponsoring its Fifth Annual Children’s Poetry Contest in celebration of National Poetry Month — and National Library Week.

We look forward each year to honoring our local young poets and providing them with a forum to express their creativity. Students in the third and fourth grades of all area schools (Adams County Christian, Cathedral, Holy Family, McLaurin and Trinity schools) are invited to contribute their original poetry about this year’s topics: Books: Their effect on my life; or The library: Its effect on my life.

Teachers and librarians from each school will pick two winners from each grade. The winners are invited to your library at 10 a.m. Tuesday.

Family, friends, teachers and the public are invited to come hear these future poets read their works. Natchez poet Peter Buttross will talk to the children and emcee the event.

The Friends of the Library will provide refreshments to celebrate the occasion.

Teen poetry slam

What’s a poetry slam? It’s a competitive performance event — sort of like sports — only you use your mind instead of your body.

Participants read their poetry and receive points from judges. The audience cheers for their poets and boos the judges.

The winners of the first round perform again for points, and it keeps going until a champion is crowned. It’s a craze all across the country, and now it’s coming to Natchez. The Armstrong Library is sponsoring a Teen Poetry Slam for students in grades 6 through 12 at 4 p.m. Thursday. Contact your library for rules and how to participate — and feel free to just come watch.

Storytime

Bring your little ones to storytime at your library at 10 a.m. every Wednesday. This Wednesday for National Library Week, will feature a special musical storytime led by Teresa Kelley of Noah’s Notable Critters Music School, always a favorite with the children.

National Library Week

This week is National Library Week, a time to celebrate the contribution of libraries, librarians and all library workers. We’re proud of our library’s contributions to Natchez, and to celebrate, we’re inviting you to an open house on Monday. We’ll have refreshments and give guided tours of your library. It’s a good time to come learn about your library.

Library information

The Natchez Adams Wilkinson Library Service consists of three branches: Armstrong Library in Natchez (the headquarters of the library system), Van Cleave Library in Centreville, and Woodville Public Library in Woodville.

The Armstrong Library is located at 220 South Commerce in Natchez, and is open Monday through Thursday from 9-6, Friday from 9-5, and Saturday from 9-1. You can call us at 601.445.8862, email us at armstrong@naw.lib.ms.us or visit us online www.naw.lib.ms.us.