The Northfield Public Library and the Arts and Culture Commission (ACC) are pleased to announce the appointment of local poet Rob Hardy to a three-year term as Northfield’s first Poet Laureate. In establishing the program, the Library and ACC envision the Poet Laureate as a coordinator and creative leader for poetic and literary arts in the community. The
Laureate will be part of an overall effort to advance the visibility, quality, and appreciation of poetic arts in schools, among practicing poets, and for public audiences. The project will build on current efforts to cultivate a poetry-rich community in Northfield.
In selecting Rob Hardy, the selection committee notes his substantial record of publication, the critical acclaim for his poetry, and his established history of activity in the Northfield literary community. His work with students in the community spans from elementary schools through middle and high school and into the colleges. Hardy’s community collaborations include an upcoming partnership with the Northfield Human Rights Commission, incorporating poetry into the International Day of Peace celebration in September.
In his application, Hardy shares, “I would love to continue working to expand the audience for poetry in Northfield, as well as to help new and different poetic voices to be heard.” He has participated in Northfield’s local Sidewalk Poetry project both as a poet and judge, established a poetry reading series at Content Bookstore, and has written pieces for a variety of public occasions in Northfield. Hardy is also a member of the Northfield District School Board.
In reflecting on the creation of a Poet Laureate position, Teresa Jensen, Northfield Library Director, shares: “This is a an initiative that has been discussed between the library and the ACC for some time, and we are very pleased to bring it forward this year. Rob Hardy will work with us to bring attention to the importance of poetry in our everyday lives and help to define role of the Poet Laureate in the community.”
“The ACC is grateful to the Northfield Public Library for the invitation to co-sponsor our new Poet Laureate program,” indicates Bonnie Jean Flom, Chair of the ACC. “The selection of a Poet Laureate in Northfield is an appropriate next step for a community that so enthusiastically embraces the literary arts. We are eager to work with Rob Hardy as he explores new and exciting ways to weave poetry into the fabric of our vibrant arts town.”
