Welcome to the Woodberry Poetry Room, a lively center of literary activity at Harvard University. Located in Lamont Library, in a space designed by Alvar Aalto, the library features a large collection of poetry monographs and a landmark archive of literary recordings.
All are invited to access our collections, attend our events, and enjoy our space. (Members of the public should inform the front desk that they are “visiting the Poetry Room”). We look forward to welcoming you.
“Let us go & make our visit....”
Events
The Poetry Room hosts a popular series of readings, lectures, seminars, and oral histories throughout the academic year. All of our events are free and open to the public (and most are livestreamed).
Boston Originals: Midwinter Reading & Party
Thursday, February 26 at 6:00pm
Free and open to the public
Wax Poetics: Ishion Hutchinson on Kamau Brathwaite
Thursday, March 12 at 6:00pm
Free and open to the public
Penitential Cries: Susan Howe's Spectral Library
Friday, April 3 from 9:30am-5pm
Registration required
Collections
The Poetry Room is home to a breathtaking range of collections, including a landmark archive of literary recordings, a selection of 20th and 21st century monographs and literary magazines, and a collection of rare books and manuscripts. While all collections are open to the public, circulating privileges are restricted to Harvard affiliates.
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CollectionArchive of Literary Recordings
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CollectionBlue Star Collection
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CollectionCirculating & Serials Collection
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Digital CollectionThe Listening Booth
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CollectionFrederick C. Packard, Jr. Sound Recordings
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Classes & Tours
The Woodberry Poetry Room offers a range of innovative educational opportunities, including staff-led audio seminars, public listening sessions, and group tours. While our standard seminar gives a broad overview of our A/V collection highlights and history, we are also happy to customize seminars for individual classroom needs. Advanced reservations are required.
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For faculty, graduate students, and educators wishing to schedule classes or seminars
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To discuss group tours or a more formal use of the space
About the Poetry Room
With over 6,000 literary recordings on a range of media that span the 20th and 21st centuries, the Poetry Room is home to one of the earliest and largest “library of voices” in the United States (1933–present).