Once again, a Poet Laureate Selection Committee is on the lookout for applicants for the position of Cupertino Poet Laureate. The person selected will serve from January 2016 –December 2017, the third in the City to officially promote the multiple aspects of poetry to Cupertino’s diverse population. Jennifer Swanton Brown is currently serving as Cupertino Poet Laureate, as did David Denny before her.

Through personal presentations and hosted educational events, the Poet Laureate will introduce youth and adults to the benefits of personal and community expression, calling attention to our City, to its incredible variety of cultures, and its history. Our first-rate Library will continue to host poetry events, as will other Cupertino locations, throughout the year.

Applicants must have resided or worked in Cupertino for at least 2 consecutive years, or have ‘demonstrable ties’ to Cupertino. The applicant must be published or been recognized as a poet, and be at least 21 years old. Folks with disabilities and candidates fluent in languages in addition to English, are encouraged to apply, though poem samples must be submitted in English.

Application is available online at cupertino.org/poetlaureate or pick up an application at the City Hall, Cupertino Public Library, Quinlan Community Center, Senior Center or De Anza College. For more information, contact poetlaureate@cupertino.org. Applications are due to City Hall by 5 pm, July 10, 2015. Interviews will be in late July.

Setting criteria, publicizing, interviewing and recommending candidates to the City Council falls to the Cupertino Poet Laureate Selection Committee. The members are Ann Stevenson from the Cupertino Library Commission; Kathy Stakey, The Friends of the Cupertino Library; Deborah Vanni, English Teacher in the Fremont Union High School District; Jennifer Swanton Brown, current Poet Laureate; Dave Denny, past Poet Laureate; Pushpa MacFarlane, area educator; Beverly Lenihan, Cupertino Library Foundation; Adrian Kolb, community leader. Gayathri Kanth, Cupertino Librarian, is a resource to the Committee.