Library Commission Meeting Agenda Packet 040325

Page 2 of 4 Finding #1: Two of the three local cities studied do not have a teen poet laureate program, and all cities operate poet laureate programs using existing city resources. • Dublin and San Ramon have adult poet laureates, but do not offer a teen program. Dublin’s Adult Poet Laureate is required to present original poetry at three city events, while San Ramon’s must present at four events. Neither city has a dedicated budget for the program, and both rely on existing city resources to support their laureates • Livermore does not have an official teen poet laureate program but offers a Teen Poet of the Trimester, a rotating high school position. The Adult Poet Laureate is a separate initiative. Finding #2: County and national programs studied have different program and funding structures than cities. • Alameda County Teen Poet Laureate Program: o Alameda County Library operates its own Youth Poet Laureate program, while other cities within the county may also run independent programs o Alameda County Library Foundation provides sponsorship. • Urban Word (National Youth Poet Laureate Program): o Serves as the governing body for Youth Poet Laureate (YPL) programs o Cities must register as an Urban Word chapter to participate at the national level o Annual cost: $500 for the participating city to maintain chapter status o Being a designated chapter provides additional resources, visibility, and opportunities for youth poets o Alameda County teen poet laureates can apply for national recognition through this program. Committee Concepts for the Pleasanton Program Drawing from their research, the committee provided input on program concepts that could strengthen Pleasanton’s TPL program: • Rebrand from a Teen Poet Laureate (TPL) to a Youth Poet Laureate (YPL) program for broader inclusivity • Allocate additional City resources or seek sponsorship to enhance program impact and support program sustainability • Develop a mission and vision statement for the program • Engage youth in supporting the program’s outreach • Register as an Urban Word Chapter to connect to state and national opportunities, creating a pathway for local poets to advance • Implement events such as poetry slams, contests, and poetry workshops to build confidence and public speaking skills and to engage a diverse community of young writers. The committee identified the following resource needs to be successful: • Dedicated City staffing hours for the program • Funding for teacher stipends to increase school participation • Funding for supplies and marketing Page 7 of 34