On The Line with CPL

Please Note: For the time being, the best way to call On the Line at 401-900-1090 is from a cell phone.

Special Announcement!

Cranston Public Library is pleased to announce that the winning poems from Notable Works’ 2023 Poetry Initiative will be the featured selections on On the Line for 6 weeks beginning on April 18. Below is the recording schedule. Congratulations to all of the winning poets! All recordings will be available by 3:00 PM each Tuesday afternoon barring any unforeseen circumstances. Please call in for this exclusive opportunity to hear these award-winning works!

April 18: “At Salter’s Grove” by Ira Schaeffer (Honorable Mention)
April 25: “Song of a Child Found” by Mary Ann Mayer (Honorable Mention)
May 2: “Discovery” by Thomas Lane (Honorable Mention)
May 9: “Timeless” by Kate O’Kula (Third Place)
May 16: “Here on Earth” by Julia Meylor Simpson (Second Place)
May 23: “Wind” by Cynthia Elder (Grand Prize)

Each of the winning poems will appear in the forthcoming volume, Voices of the Earth: The Future of Our Planet III. Please visit notableworks.org for more information.

Call to hear a new poem each week!

401-900-1090

CPL is pleased to bring poetry to our patrons, all without leaving the comfort of home—no Internet, computer, or smart phone required.

A recorded, previously published poem, read by CPL staff, will be available each week (usually on Tuesday afternoons). Call 401-900-1090 to listen. Sometimes we will record a (very) short story or essay instead of a poem, so be sure to check back weekly to hear what’s in store.

Do you have a suggestion for a great poem*? We’d love to hear about it. Questions or comments about this service can be emailed to ontheline@cranstonlibrary.org. (opens email)

Click here to read a list of On the Line's recorded poems. (opens in new tab)

Want to learn more about poetry? Try some of these free online resources:

• PBS Poetry in America (opens in new tab)
  
• Poetry Foundation Collections
• Poetry Magazine podcast (opens in new tab)
  
• International Poetry Circle on Twitter (opens in new tab)
  
• Cave Canem (opens in new tab)
  
• Poetry Society of America Resource Page (opens in new tab)
  
• Poets & Writers (opens in new tab)
  
• Poetry Project (opens in new tab)

Please note: Children are not the target audience for this service. Recordings will always be family-friendly but might contain reference to complex or abstract themes.

Cranston Public Library is indebted to staff at Princeton Public Library for the inspiration for this service and the sharing of expertise.

*At least one published work by the poet must be owned by at least one Ocean State Libraries location as found in the online catalog (opens in new tab).

Call 401-900-1090 to listen to a new poem each week!