Attachment 1 - Poet Laureate Policy (2)
COUNCIL POLICY MANUAL
TITLE: Town Poet Laureate Selection
POLICY NUMBER:
EFFECTIVE DATE: 10/19/17
PAGES:
ENABLING ACTIONS:
REVISED DATES:
APPROVED:
PURPOSE
The purpose of this policy is to provide the guidelines for selection and appointment of the
Town Poet Laureate as well as to outline the expectations of the position.
SCOPE
This Policy applies to the Poet Laureate Selection Committee and Town Poet Laureate.
POLICY
Overview
The Town Poet Laureate is an honorary position selected by the Poet Laureate Selection
Committee through a competitive process and appointed by Town Council. Originally
established by Town Council in 2010 to promote the building of the new Library, the Poet
Laureate actively works to promote poetry and literature in the Town of Los Gatos. The position
is voluntary and does not receive monetary compensation, expense reimbursement, or benefits
from the Town. The Library Director serves as the liaison for the Town Poet Laureate.
Selection
The Selection Committee meets in the fall of the year preceding the appointment of a new Poet
Laureate and is responsible for advertising the position, producing and distributing applications,
setting application deadlines, reviewing applications, and interviewing the top three
candidates. The Selection Committee forwards its selection to the Town Council for official
appointment by November of the year preceding the beginning of the new Poet Laureate’s
tenure.
Small Town Service Community Stewardship Future Focus
ATTACHMENT 1
TITLE: Town Poet Laureate Selection
PAGE:
POLICY NUMBER:
The Poet Laureate Selection Committee will be comprised of three members to include:
Town Mayor
One Member of the Library Board
One Member of the Arts and Culture Committee
The Library Director is the administrator/liaison of the Committee and may serve as alternate in
the event that one member of the Selection Committee cannot serve.
Qualifications and Expectations of the Town Poet Laureate
Qualifications for the position of Poet Laureate:
Los Gatos resident
At least 18 years old
Have had poetry published or been recognized for contributions to poetry or other
literature
Term:
The Poet Laureate is appointed for a three-year term commencing on January 1st of the
first year and concluding on December 31st of the third year.
Should the Poet Laureate need to resign from the position for any reason, notice shall
be provided to the Library Director in writing. The Selection Committee would convene
in the fall of the year of the resignation to select a new Poet Laureate to begin the
following January.
Expectations for the position of Poet Laureate:
Plan and present an annual poetry program of the Poet Lau reate’s design at the Library
Annual participation in a Town event
Annual outreach and/or program promoting poetry in a local school
Represent the Town through original poetry
Present a poem at a Town Council meeting during the April Poetry Month
Submit a collection of poetry produced during the Poet Laureate’s tenure to the Library
Archives at the completion of their term
Robert Schultz, Town Attorney