Government Information Librarian Lori Smith presents poetry written by her late mother Leona Smith.
The Lion's Roar/William Schmidt

Sims Memorial Library celebrated National Library Week with readings. The purpose of the event was to showcase creative writers in the community and encourage literacy through listening.

On Tuesday, Apr. 12 at 6:30 p.m., Library Director Eric Johnson jokingly welcomed the crowd to the 13th or 14th Annual Reading at Sims Library. The event hosted five unique readers presenting their own creative works for ten minutes before ending with Government Information Librarian Lori Smith who presented poems written by her late mother Leona Smith.

The reading gave an opportunity for some who may have never had their worked published, a chance to read and encourage other creative writers.

“One reason it is so important is a lot of times creative writing students don’t get to read out loud,” said Coordinator of User Education Dayne Sherman. “Or, they never get to read in front of an audience; just in front of class. I like to give students this opportunity to read in front of a group and it also gives the chance for them to meet each other. They get to encourage each other and that is really why I think it is a significant thing.”

This was not the first time for all the readers at the event. Some were glad for a second opportunity and enjoyed choosing a piece meant for a reaction from the audience. English graduate student with a focus in creative writing Carey Brooks read from his story “Wild Oats.”

“It was distinct,” said Brooks. “The story is layered in a way for participation and crowd response even though I am reading it.”

Brooks was glad that he had the opportunity to hear the other readers in their personal style.

“I really enjoy all the other writers,” said Brooks. “It was great getting to hear their voices. I think I might, like a lot of people, I might make the mistake of reading it in my own voice when reading other people’s fiction. That comes from a place of conventionally reading everything. You are trying to find the correct way to read and that doesn’t necessarily translate to the right.”

Audience member, English and Creative Writer Instructor David Armand and author of the recently released book “My Mother’s House.” Armand was glad for the entertainment of the night and getting the chance to hear revised work of some of his students.

“I teach here,” said Armand.  “Some of the pieces we actually talked about in class so that was cool. These things are great. They always get a nice turnout because a lot of times if you are not a published writer, then you don’t really get the chance to read in front of people. These are great opportunities.”

The reading gave writers who often work alone a chance to meet one another.

“To me, that is what it is about. It is a community,” said Armand. “Like if you are a writer, you do all the work by yourself; unless you have a class or you have a reading, you never know what people are thinking or how they are reacting.”

Those wishing to have a chance to express their own writings with fellow students are encouraged to find ways to meet periodically.

“I think students should form their own groups,” said Sherman. “There is no reason that students can’t have a monthly or weekly meeting at a coffee shop or even in the library where students wanted to organize it. It is something you can do that is real cheap or free. You don’t have to have cookies like I brought cookies. Just form a group, encourage each other, share the work and get the work out there.”

Along with Brooks and Smith, the other readers for the annual Readings at Sims Library included Karen Shields, Jessica Mina, Marley Stuart and Dusty Cooper.