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THE CITY OF <br />,,, ".11 ®,_ JOINT LIBRARY AND CIVIC ARTS <br />PLEASANTON. AGENDA REPORT <br />October 7, 2019 <br />Item 4 <br />TITLE: APPROVE APPOINTMENT FOR TEEN POET LAUREATE POSITION <br />SUMMARY <br />In August 2012, the City of Pleasanton began the formal process to recruit and officially <br />appoint Teen Poet Laureates. The primary role of the City's Teen Poet Laureates is to <br />promote the appreciation of the poetry and literary arts in the community throughout the <br />school year. Teen Poet Laureates purse meaningful endeavors in the community in <br />collaboration with the library and civic arts. Past projects include readings on school <br />campuses, open mic nights, readings at civic events, afterschool library pop-up poetry <br />sessions and creative poems set to music in collaboration with the Firehouse's High <br />School Music Collaborative. Community service hours are provided for this volunteer <br />position. Applications were accepted at the Pleasanton Library in the month of July and <br />candidates participated in interviews and shared samples of their writings and <br />community references. From the pool of applicants, one Teen Poet Laureate from <br />Quarry Lane School has been selected. <br />RECOMMENDATION <br />It is recommended that the Civic Arts Commission and the Library Commission approve <br />the appointment of Kanchan Naik as the Pleasanton Teen Poet Laureate representing <br />Quarry Lane School for the school year term of 2019/2020. <br />FINANCIAL STATEMENT <br />The City Poet Laureate receives no remuneration. Any expenses related to the Poet <br />Laureate program, i.e. supplies for workshops, poetry readings, etc., are allocated <br />within the Library and Recreation Department's operating budget, not to exceed $2000. <br />BACKGROUND <br />On November 17, 1998, the City Council approved the Civic Arts Commission's <br />recommendation to create the position of Pleasanton Poet Laureate. The primary role <br />of the Poet Laureate is to provide poetry at civic events and promote the appreciation of <br />the literary arts in the community. <br />These individuals have established a wonderful tradition of Poetry readings, while using <br />their unique styles to develop new programs for the community. Some of these include <br />television broadcasts and the establishment of the Poetry, Prose and Arts Festival. In <br />2001, the City's Poet Laureate Program also won an award from the National <br />Conference of Mayors. <br />