Peruse the library catalog for poetry books

Check out the David Lampe special collection.

Take a stroll and browse for books in the SE quadrant of the 3rd floor (PQ-PS).

Recordings on the subject of poetry are available for check out in Media Services in various formats:
DVD | VHS | CD

We have many audio recordings available online from our music and poetry databases. Make up a playlist and listen from home!

American Song
Digital online collection of American music. Includes spoken word recordings from poets such as Amiri Baraka, Gwendolyn Brooks, Langston Hughes, and more.

Columbia Granger’s World of Poetry
An index of poems along with biographies, commentaries, and the full text of 250,000 poems. Includes “listening room” feature containing audio recordings of poems.

Smithsonian Global Sound for Libraries
Digital online collection of music, spoken word, and prose from North American and global traditions.

More Resources


Recent Web Updates

New Events Added
  10/15 - Songwriting Workshop
  (photos + materials)

New Members:
  Khristopher Barreiro
  ed baker
  Teresa Peipins

New Photos:
  8/27 Open Mic
  7/30 Karen Sands-O'Connor
  7/23 Forrest Roth & Jaye Bartell


The Rooftop Poetry Club was established in June 2005 to provide a creative venue for writers of the Buffalo State College community. Through poetry readings, open-mike events, workshops, and campus wide poetry projects, the club has proven itself an invaluable forum for the campus writing community and an asset to the entire college.

The layout of Butler Library is unique in that it contains a second-floor center courtyard called the "Rooftop Garden." Those of you who are unfamiliar with rooftop gardens may not appreciate the poetic nature of such a space. But if you've ever sat up on a roof--- away from the world, yet smack dab in the middle of it all—you can surely see how one might be drawn to read, write, and think in such a space. The rooftop garden is a perfect meeting place for the Rooftop Poetry Club. Simply walk up the center steps of the library to the second floor and look to your left-- you'll see the door leading you out to the rooftop.

How to Join

Interested in becoming a member? Submit 2-4 original works along with your name, a brief bio, and a digital photo. Submissions should be e-mailed to Lisa Forrest, and within a week you'll have your own page in our members section. Please feel free to e-mail us with any questions. See you on the roof!

Join Now!


Fall Schedule

11/24: Reading featuring
Andrew Zawacki
& Katy Lederer

Room 210, Butler Library, 4:30 pm

Winter Schedule

1/28: Baby, It's Cold Outside
A Winter-Themed Open Mic

Bring your winter themed poems. Hot chocolate will be served!
Int'l Students Reading Area, Butler Library, 4:30 pm

2/4: In Good Taste
Workshop with Irene Sipos

This workshop will focus on literary response to shapes, tastes, textures, and smells of everyday and exotic foods.

2/11: Workshop with Musa Abdul Hakim
More information forthcoming.
Int'l Students Reading Area, Butler Library, 4:30 pm

3/5: Reading featuring
Allen Shelton
Int'l Students Reading Area, Butler Library, 4:30 pm


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This page last updated 11/24/08. Please send Web corrections to Dennis.
For other inquiries about the Rooftop Poetry Club, contact Lisa.