The Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress seeks to raise the national consciousness to a greater appreciation of poetry.
Appointed annually by the Librarian of Congress , the Poet Laureate serves from October to May. The Librarian consults with former appointees, the current Laureate, and distinguished poetry critics before making the appointment. In 1985, by an act of Congress, the name was changed from Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress to the Poet Laureate.
The Poet Laureate receives a $35,000 annual stipend. The Library keeps to a minimum the specific duties in order to afford Laureates maximum freedom to work on their own projects while at the Library. The Laureate gives an annual lecture and reading of his or her poetry.
Each Laureate brings a different emphasis to the position. Some of the most memorable concepts were brought by Joseph Brodsky, Gwendolyn Brooks and Rita Dove. Joseph Brodsky initiated the idea of providing poetry in airports, supermarkets and hotel rooms. Gwendolyn Brooks met with elementary school students to encourage them to write poetry. Rita Dove championed children's poetry and jazz with poetry events.
Consultants in Poetry and Poets Laureate Consultants in Poetry and their terms of service are listed below: