Reader Alexandra points to a program helping librarians make poetry successful with the grizzled, be-trenchcoated perverts patrons of their houses of filth and porn local branches.

“Poetry is most successful when your patrons hear it, see it, hear about it, bump into it, in as many ways as possible,” she said. “It will be unavoidable if you do a good job.”

The Poets House model guides librarians in collection development, creating book displays, and leading programs such as slams and writing workshops. “Once people start coming, they find something that is nourishing them,” said Howard, who noted that poetry circulation tripled at libraries that followed the Poets House model. “They will come back, and you will be rewarded by that.”

Howard also encouraged the librarians to raise not only their patrons’ awareness of poetry but the staff’s as well. She suggested starting meetings with a poem, for instance. The more staff members embraced poetry, the more successful the librarians’ efforts would be.