NOLS hosting programs for Poetry Month
Published 1:30 am Wednesday, April 1, 2026
The North Olympic Library System (NOLS) is bringing poetry programs to Clallam County during Poetry Month this April in partnership with area organizations that include Olympic National Park, North Olympic Land Trust and the Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge.
Poetry Walks
Throughout April and May, nature-themed poems will be placed in inspiring locations along six trails for Poetry Walks, a self-guided experience that invites participants to explore and contemplate the poems at their own pace while connecting with natural surroundings. More information can be found at NOLS.org/poetry.
Organized by NOLS, the Poetry Walks program returns for its 12th season in Olympic National Park, this year featuring poetry along the Madison Creek Falls, Spruce Railroad and Hall of Mosses trails. Poems will be displayed for the second year at the Elk Creek and Lyre Conservation Areas, which are stewarded by the North Olympic Land Trust. New this year, the Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge will place poems along the main trail.
Support for this program is also provided by the Port Angeles Friends of the Library.
Haiku Contest
NOLS is hosting a Haiku Contest for Clallam County students in grades 7-12. Original three-line poems (five, seven, and five syllables long) must be submitted by 5 p.m. Friday, April 24.
Each library branch will select one grand prize winner to receive a $25 gift card to a local business, and two runners-up who will receive a notebook and pen. One submission per teen will be accepted at any NOLS branch, the Bookmobile, or by online form. For more information, visit NOLS.org/contest or stop by your library. Email youth@NOLS.org with any questions.
Poetry Fest, Readings and Workshops
A free Poetry Fest will be held on Friday, April 3, at 6:30 p.m. at the Port Angeles Main Library, 2210 S. Peabody St. Clallam County Poet Laureate Nellie Bridge will read her work alongside guest poet Rodrigo Rojas. Attendees can explore beginner-friendly poetry activities and browse a variety of poetry books.
Bridge and Rojas will also present in English and Spanish at a Poetry Reading on Saturday, April 4 at 3:30 p.m. at the Forks Branch Library, 171 S. Forks Ave. Guests will be able to connect with the poets and explore their creative processes at a question-and-answer session after the reading.
Celebrate Poem in Your Pocket Day on Friday, April 10 at 5:30 p.m. at the Pine and Eight, 511 W. Eighth St., Port Angeles. Bridge will host Seattle-based poet J. Baugher for a reading. Attendees are encouraged to bring a favorite poem to share with others. Browse treats for sale and meet other poetry-lovers at this unstructured time to mingle, converse and share.
On Monday, April 13 adults and teens are invited to a “Where I’m From” Poetry Workshop with Bridge at 5:30 p.m. in her classroom at Five Acre School, 515 Lotzgesell Road in Sequim. This event is open to the public and attendees can write or revise poems for possible inclusion in an upcoming anthology. Attendance is not required to submit poems, which will be accepted through April 30. Learn more at NOLS.org/MyPoem.
Visit NOLS.org for more information about the events, which are supported by local Friends of the Library groups. Support for the Clallam County Poet Laureate position comes from the North Olympic Library Foundation and Clallam County.
