Thursday, November 15: Racine Public Library "Poetry Roundtable" @ Java Vino

The Racine Public Library, 75 Seventh St., will be hosting a monthly Poetry Roundtable beginning Thursday, November 15 from 7-9 p.m. at Java Vino, 425 Main St. These free monthly events will focus on contemporary American poetry, highlighting a different poet at each meeting. As a group, participants will read poetry excerpts, analyze them and discuss their significance in today's society. Individuals with varying levels of poetry experience are welcome.

To supplement this program, the Racine Public Library's internet website is providing a page with links pertaining to each author. The site will include poetry, interviews and criticisms, among other resources. Visit the library's Poetry Roundtable website, at www.racinelibrary.info, to access these features and to find each month's selected work.

November's selection will focus on the works of poet Ben Lerner. Photocopies of the poetry will be provided at the event, but it is recommended participants review some of the work in advance. Information on Ben Lerner may be obtained through the Poetry Roundtable page of the library's website or by contacting the library's reference desk at 262.636.9217.

While Poetry Roundtable events are free, space is limited to 10 participants. Interested participants should call the Racine Public Library at 262.636.9217 to register in advance. In addition to the electronic materials that will be made available, the library will be purchasing books by the featured authors so patrons may check them out.

The Racine Public Library Poetry Roundtable is facilitated by Nick Demske, a local poet and employee of the Racine Public Library. In 2006, he graduated in Creative Writing from Carthage College. The recipient of several poetry awards including, the Carthage College Research and Creativity Award, First Prize in Centrique Magazine's Bi-annual Literary Contest and The Chapin-Tague Award for Poetry, Demske is a contributing editor for the online magazine, Expose Kenosha, and frequently reads at the weekly open mic events at 716: Fine Art Gallery, 401 Main St. in downtown Racine.