University of Arizona POETRY CENTER

Tucked off Speedway just west of Cherry (its official address is 1508 East Helen St.) is the almost-brand new poetry center. Easy to park (it's free after five and on weekends, but there's a parking garage, not too, too expensive, on the opposite corner). Quiet. Peaceful. Cool. And chock-a-block full of poetry. You can read a current newspaper there, too. You can't cehck out any of the books, but you can read to your heart's content. And it's free, free, free!

Of course, my favorite corner is the children's poetry section. Full of books and teacher resources, it's a real find. There are comfy chairs for kids to sit in (I sit cross-legged on the floor) and there's a roll of paper and crayons to doodle and write on. They have Saturday morning "Poetry Joeys" for kids during the school year - usually near the end of the month. They are now offering two session, for young kids and for older kids, with activities and poetry. I'm planning to go as soon as they get started up again. I'm sure I can pass for 10 or 11......

They've also developed a fantastic curriculum called Verse!, that's geared to 4-6 year olds. I think they're cutting themselves short, many of the wonderful poetry-writing activities in this large manual can be done and/or adapted for older kids as well. Well worth the 25 bucks.

They usually have an artist exhibition, there's a huge computer room, and the lobby has a circle of sofas where you could gather and talk ......poetry, perhaps?

Upstairs are classrooms and offices. I took a beginner poetry writing class there last winter. They offer inexpensive workshops, and regular university courses, and you don't have to be a student. I'm so lucky to live near this university!

Here's their website.