Open to children in Kindergarten through Grade Six.

Contestants must be residents of or attend school in Allen County, IN.

Only one poem, no more than one page in length, per person may be submitted.

Submissions will be accepted October 1 through November 15, 2024.

Any style of poetry is welcome.

Poems must be original work and not previously published.

Poems do not have to adhere to a specific theme.

Submissions should be legibly handwritten or typed on 8.5" x 11" paper and delivered to any library location. All entries must have the poet's name, address, phone number, email (if available), name of school, and grade on the back of the poem.

Criteria for judging of poems includes:

•    understanding the concept of a “poem”

•    creativity

•    legibility

•    originality

All Poetry Contest entries become the property of the Allen County Public Library.

First, Second, Third and Honorable Mention will be chosen for each grade.

Winners will be notified by mail.

For further information, call the Library at (260) 421–1220.