Scariff library puts poetry on Facebook
Clare People, Tuesday, 6th April 2010
by Bernie English
Scariff Library is branching out and taking advantage of web social networking to dust the cobwebs off classic poets.
The poetry club’s new Facebook page gives poetry fans and those who would like to learn more about the genre a chance to look, listen and contribute online, even if they can’t make it to the meetings in the library.
“We have members in Ireland, the UK and one lady in America,” said Aileen McDonagh, who co-ordinates the club at the library.
The page – which can be found by logging into a Facebook account and searching for ‘Scariff Poetry Group’ – includes information and poems by the poet under discussion, as well as snippets of information about the club and poetry in general.
“It’s a great way for people to join in if they can’t make it to the library for the club or they just want to find out a bit more about poetry and the club itself,” said Aileen.
The club doesn’t just deal with the classical poets but also delves into modern and new poetry movements and members write their own poem on a theme at each meeting.
“We pick a theme, like ‘wind’ and one person writes the first line, then it’s passed on to the next person and so on. The results vary but there’s often a flow on the theme,” said Aileen.
The poetry club meets every second Tuesday at 6.30pm and no previous knowledge of poetry is necessary; all that’s needed is an interest.
The Facebook page doesn’t need any particular commitment and friends and fans of the page can log in or out at any time. The next poet up for discussion is WB Yeats and the next meeting is on April 13.
Meanwhile, the book club at the Scariff library is also open for new members. The club meets once a month on the first Thursday of each month at 7pm. All are welcome.
Aileen McDonagh with children during a crafts day in Scariff
Library