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