The new library of the Poetry Foundation in Chicago has announced its first program, Collection and Cocktails: A Poetry Foundation Library Open House, to be held on September 7, 2011. Eight local poets will be reading from the library’s collection and attendees will have the opportunity to record themselves reading any poem within public domain.

The Poetry Foundation Library is the only library dedicated exclusively to poetry. The library features a collection of over 30,000 volumes and private listening booths to experience audio and video recordings. More information can be found in Greg Landgraf’s recent article, A Library Home for Poetry.

Admission to the open house is free, but pre-registration is strongly encouraged.