Special Poetry Series Honors Former Grolier Book Shop Owner Louisa Solano

Poets Gail Mazure and Robert Pinsky will read from their selected works at the Cambridge Public Library on October 1, initiating a fall poetry series to honor another local name in poetry circles.

Louisa Solano is a poetry marvel, just like the Grolier Book Shop she owned from 1974 to 2006. Her unique contributions to Cambridge and the greater poetry community have been invaluable, and now with a tremendous donation to the Cambridge Room at the Cambridge Public Library, the treasured history of the book shop and many local poets will forever be a part of Cambridge history.

Ms. Solano's donation to the library’s Archives and Special Collections includes a substantial collection of signed first editions from members of the Cambridge poetry community as well as material related to the Grolier Book Shop.

“Louisa’s donation is a wonderful addition to the Cambridge Public Library’s Archives and Special Collections,” says Alyssa Pacy, the Library’s Archivist. “Many of these publications are rare and out of print.  I know that they will be a valuable resource for researchers for generations to come. As I have been going through the signed editions, nearly every inscription reads ‘For Louisa, in gratitude and admiration’. Those words are a testament to Louisa’s lifelong support of poets and show her impact on the poetry community.”

The Louisa Solano Poetry Series will feature the following poets: 

October 1st
Robert Pinsky, Poet Laureate from 1997-2000
Gail Mazur, Founding Director of Blacksmith House Poetry Series in Cambridge

November 5th
David Ferry, 2012 National Book Award Winner for Poetry

December 3rd
Frank Bidart reads from Metaphysical Dog: Poems, his latest collection

Each reading will begin at 6:30 pm in the Main Library Lecture Hall. Books will be available for purchase and signing.

NEXT WEEK! Cambridge READS with Edwidge Danticat on Sept. 18

If you haven't already secured your spot for the 2013 Cambridge READS event, tickets are available now!

This season's Cambridge READS selection is Claire of the Sea Light, the newest book by award-winning Haitian-American author Edwidge Danticat.

On Wednesday, September 18th, Ms. Danticat will be speaking at the Sanders Theatre near Harvard Square, the only Boston-area visit she is making for her new book. The program begins at 6:30 pm and will be introduced with a special dance performance by Jean Appolon Expressions, a Cambridge-based dance company dedicated to preserving Haitian folkloric dance.

Tickets are free and are now available at the Harvard Box Office, Porter Square Books, and the Main Library. Tickets will also be available at the door on the day of the event, 

For a little history on the Friends of the Cambridge Public Library Cambridge READS program, peruse this archive blog post.  There are always great things happening at the library! For more information on how you can get involved with the Friends to help support our Cambridge libraries and events like Cambridge READS, click here.