Daily Info's Sophia sat down with Oxford Poetry Library Founder and Director Phoebe Nicholson to find out more about the work they do.
Q: What is Oxford Poetry Library?
A: Oxford Poetry Library is a volunteer-run lending library of poetry and community space which aims to be a free and open resource of books and creative writing! Our collection is currently housed in The Community Works (sharing a building with Lula’s Ethiopian Cuisine, opposite the train station) where we hold weekly drop-in library sessions on Fridays and Saturdays from 12pm-3pm. During these opening hours, anyone is welcome to come and spend time in our space, read, write, borrow books, try out some poetry games, and chat to our friendly volunteer librarians! We also run regular workshops and events, including monthly open mics, sessions to get you started with writing in all kinds of forms and styles, and groups to encourage the appreciation and reading of poetry. You can find out more on our social media channels, and on our website oxfordpoetrylibrary.com
Q: How did the Oxford Poetry Library come to be?
A: I set up OPL back in 2017 because I wanted to see more inclusive access to the arts and poetry in Oxford! Even in a city that has such deep literary roots, if you’re not associated with the University, it can be hard to know where to start. OPL started as a cargo bike full of books which I took around markets and events around the city to try and meet people where they are, spread the word about the value of poetry as a tool for self-expression and creativity, and get them reading and writing. Now with a collection of over 1000 books, and a physical location in the city centre, we’ve come a long way, but our mission remains the same.
Q: What makes poetry a relevant and important artform in today's world?
A: Poetry is an incredible tool for empathy and connection. In a relatively small amount of space, a poem can offer a direct line to the way another person sees the world – and so writing can be a way of sharing with the world your own perspective! Now more than ever, getting these insights is so important to allow us to relate to each other as human beings. Poetry is also a great tool to slow down, notice, and appreciate small things and connect them with bigger themes, feelings, and narratives. In today’s manic world where we’re constantly bombarded with so many demands on our attention, I think we could all use a bit more slowing down!
Q: How can I get involved with OPL?
A: We are an entirely volunteer-driven organization so are very dependent on the generosity of people’s time, energy, and enthusiasm to keep doing what we’re doing! We need volunteers as librarians, workshop and event helpers, and general administrative support, and with all kinds of availabilities and commitment levels. To find out more about how you can volunteer, drop us an email at [email protected]
If you can’t spare us volunteer time, you can also support us just by attending our events, library opening hours, and workshops and making good use of our resources and space.
Q: Your monthly open mic session, This is Just to Say, frequently fills the venue to capacity. What do you think is behind its popularity?
A: think people are hungry for spaces where they can meaningfully connect with one another! Having a regular space where people can come together and celebrate creativity, share their own work, and hear the work of others is such a simple and yet quite a rare thing. Our open mic is extremely inclusive and supportive – as a performer, you can trust the audience to catch you and really listen to your work. The quality of work that is shared is reliably high, and the genuine diversity of the performers means that as an audience member, you never know what to expect, but you know you’re in for a treat every month.
Q: What other events and workshops should people look out for at OPL this Spring/Summer?
A: Coming up in the next months, we’ve got some exclusive one-off events and workshop mini-series for writing enthusiasts of all kinds! ‘From Page to Stage’ is returning monthly, our workshop series that looks at getting participants skilled up in how to start performing their work with a variety of techniques. ‘The Shape of Poetry’ is also restarting in June, a series about writing in various poetic forms, playing with structure in a way that is fun and accessible. On 11 May, poets Vanessa Lampert and Alan Buckley are running an all-day workshop called ‘Wow What Happened To Me There?’ which looks at poetry and the art of surprise.
We’re also continuing our usual roster of regular workshops and events, including Getting Started with Poetry, our monthly free session that invites people to find a way in to writing in a relaxed, inclusive space – also our open mic matinee The Hip Crowd which welcomes people with babies and those for whom daytime entertainment is easier to access.
Q:Finally, describe OPL in three words:
A: Playful, creative, and curious