On a cold winter night, the Petworth Neighborhood Library supplied warmth through words, hosting a poetry event that educated the community about different poetic forms and that encouraged young participants to discover their voices.
The event brings a small group of young adults together to perform poetry — either their own or work by others.
“It’s a nice way to express yourself and explore yourself more,” Petworth library associate Adrienne Coyle said. “I think that’s something that all communities need anyway, but it’s nice to have something for this and for our communities specifically.”
The library, which is housed in a Georgian Revival-style building listed on the National Register of Historic Places, has been serving the community since 1939.
The Petworth Women’s Club proposed the library in 1927 as part of a campaign to expand city branches, according to the D.C. Office of Planning Historic Preservation Review Board.
Despite reduced funding during the Great Depression, the library in Petworth was one of only five to survive the original plan to build 13 branches.
In December 2024, the library began hosting poetry events to educate the community about poets and encourage creative expression.
Caitlin Jones, a Petworth librarian attending her second poetry event, said the programming has had a positive effect on her and the community as a whole.
“This has been pretty impactful,” Jones said, “just letting us listen to the poetry and listen to all the emotions together.”
The event featured a variety of poetry and created a safe space for participants to read and share their work.
Hameed Nelson, a participant, said reading poetry during the event produced a range of emotions and nostalgia.
“I felt like reading that gave me a lot of inspiration to be passionate about something good,” Nelson said. “Maya Angelou is the most motivational person I’ve read, and Nikki Giovanni, you know, just out there motivating me.”
Nelson added that “poetry definitely helped my confidence, because I got to read it and be myself.”
Tamia Lamb, another participant, expressed her appreciation for the occasion and its spontaneity.
“I didn’t even expect to read. I just felt a lot of people are going to be performing,” Lamb said. “This seems cool to perform in front of others.”
She wants to do more in the future.
“This experience inspired me to perform in front of others,” Lamb said.
Librarians encouraged attendees to take advantage of their resources and support community events.
“It’s open to absolutely everybody, and there’s no barrier to it,” Coyle said. “You know, you can just show up. And, so, I think that’s what makes it really special.”
The librarians hope the event inspires them to connect with their artistic side at no cost.
“You know, people can go to work, people can go to school and go home. But, the library itself is a nice place for people to come that is not any of those things,” Coyle said. “It’s nice for us to have these programs here, because it’s free.”
To attend events at Petworth Library or other D.C. Public Library branch, visit their website to learn how to support these spaces in your community.
Brianna Bryson is a reporter for HUNewsService.com.
