The Itinerant Poetry Librarian: Worldwide Membership Hits 800 Mark...

Since May 2006, The Itinerant Poetry Librarian has been travelling the world with a library of ‘Lost & Forgotten’ poetry, installing the library & librarian and archiving the sounds, poems and poetry of the cities, peoples and countries she meets. Welcome to the project's blog . . . Our Itinerant Poetry Librarian lives wherever her library is - come join the cause!

FAQs: • Yes we carry our entire life and the library with us as we go • Yes, it is quite heavy • No, we're not mad. As Charles Simic said, 'But what if poets are not crazy?' That's the spirit boyo!

We exist to: remind people of the importance of free public libraries...subvert mainstream channels of distribution...remind people that access to knowledge should be free and not dependent upon economic wealth hierarchies... show people that poetry/art can provide answers to questions we ask of life...experiment in existing outside of 'the market' – thereby, instead, investing in social capital, social innovation and community.

We aim to make life taste better. Word.

Thursday 21 August 2008

Worldwide Membership Hits 800 Mark...

... so T.I.P.L. celebrates 5lowershop stylee ...

As per traditional NthHundred Valued Patron of the Library award, VPL number 800 had his hand shaken by TIPL right here in Amsterdam [whereas VPL number 700 had his hand shaken in San Francisco...you see where we are going with this...]

VPL #800 was also awarded a special, not-yet-on-the-loose handwritten haiku:

One day your frog prince
or princess will come along
Meanwhile, hold your breath.

* * * In Other News * * *

"Barry Fitton cooks the best Indian food in Amsterdam" - Eddie Woods

"Her voice had the throaty, indignant lilt of a Dutchwoman" - John le Carré

Come Join Before We Travel On - Amsterdam!
Leipzig! We arrive forthwith, hold steady chaps!