Watsonville Library To Begin Accepting Poet Laureate Nominations

WATSONVILLE, CA — Watsonville Public Library officials will begin receiving nominations for the city’s next poet laureate to help promote literary arts, the city announced on Wednesday.

The position of Watsonville poet laureate was approved by the library’s Board of Trustees last week and was created to elevate the art of poetry in the city. The position, which includes a $2,000 stipend, will begin in January, the city said in a news release.

The poet laureate will serve a two-year term and will be appointed by Mayor Jimmy Dutra through a proclamation of the city council.

Qualifications for the position include being able to serve out the two-year term, the person must be a Watsonville/Freedom resident who has lived in the city for no less than one year and who will continue to live in the city over the two-year term.

The selected individual must also be known through having published a book, a variety of media or journals and must have achieved some level of notoriety within the literary world. The person must be age 18 or older.

The Watsonville poet laureate will represent the city and the art of poetry through outreach events and will act as a resource to the library. The person will read poetry at community events, including ceremonies, city council meetings and other public meetings.

Nominations will be accepted through Sept. 1 and can be mailed to Alicia Martinez, Library Director, 275 Main Street, Suite #100, Watsonville, California, 95076. More information about the position and the application process may be found at the City of Watsonville's website.