The creation of the Little Free Poetry Library in the Fredericton Botanic Garden will provide opportunities for the community to connect through poetry. This initiative, led by the City of Fredericton’s 4th Poet Laureate, Fawn Parker, highlights the written word through providing a dedicated public space for people to leave or take a book.
The Little Free Poetry Library will serve as one of Parker’s legacy projects and is the second project from a Poet Laureate to call the botanic garden home.
“Since the City of Fredericton created the position of Poet Laureate nearly a decade ago, each poet has made the role their own” said Mayor Kate Rogers. “Fawn’s initiative provides the community with a free way to connect with and celebrate the beauty of poetry in an equally beautiful setting.”
The City of Fredericton’s Poet Laureate is an ambassador of the literary arts, promoting and celebrating the joy, beauty, and value of literature, poetry, and the spoken word. During their term, the Poet Laureate crafts original literary works to present at community events and engages the public through a variety of activities, programs, and special events. As part of this project, Fawn collected a selection of books to be placed in the library.
“In the role of Poet Laureate, I have the privilege of sharing my own poetry with the community and showcasing work by local writers,” said Fawn Parker. “Having the opportunity to create and stock this library has been so exciting. I hope all who visit the Fredericton Botanic Garden have the opportunity to enjoy the books on these shelves and perhaps leave behind a book for others.”
First opening in 1990, the Fredericton Botanic Garden has long been a place for the residents and visitors to connect with nature and each other.
“The unveiling of the Little Free Poetry Library is just one more example that the Fredericton Botanic Garden is a beautiful space, said Julie Wright, Treasurer of the Fredericton Botanic Garden Association. “We are delighted to add a second library to the Garden, and what more fitting location for it than our eclectic Literature Garden.”
The Little Free Poetry Library carries on the tradition of collaboration between the City of Fredericton and the Fredericton Botanic Garden Association on cultural projects. Previous projects include the Rhodo sculpture, the City’s annual Artist in Residence Program, the creation of the NB Literature Garden, which served as one of the legacy projects for the City’s first Poet Laureate, Ian LeTourneau and the Healing Garden.