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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 Photos Added:
  5/6 - Spring-Themed Open Mic
  4/8 - The Practice of Parody

New Members:
  David Hadbawnik
  Dave Lewitzky
  Ben Lyle Bedard
  Dana Barish
  Alyssa Barone
  Lynn Ciesielski


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!


Summer Rooftop News:
The Good and the Bad


Do you want to hear the good news or the bad news first? Ok, the good news is that the library will be getting a new roof top this summer! The bad news is that this means our summer reading series will not be held on the rooftop. After much consideration (who wants to really sit inside and listen to poetry on a beautiful summer evening?), Dennis & I have decided to do something unconceivable: We are taking the summer off! We promise to return in the fall with a full roster. So, enjoy the upcoming Buffalo summer (keep writing) and we’ll see you in September!

Fall Schedule

September 9th - Welcome Back Open Mic
Join us on the rooftop with your poems or songs! All are welcome.
4:30 - 5:30 p.m. E. H. Butler Rooftop Garden (in case of inclement weather, workshop will be held in the International Students Reading Area, 3rd floor, SE Quadrant).

September 30th - Image Making with Poems and Photographs
Workshop with Karen Lee Lewis, Teaching Artist
How can the art of photography help us explore image making and 'imag'ination in poetry? In this workshop we will explore imagery beyond visual reproduction. Bring a photograph to the workshop that you’d like to write to, or choose one that inspires you from photographs the instructor will bring.
4:30- 6:00 p.m. E. H. Butler Rooftop Garden
(in case of inclement weather, workshop will be held in the International Students Reading Area, 3rd floor, SE Quadrant).

October 7th - Nate Graziano and David Hadbawnik
4:30 - 5:30 p.m. E. H. Butler Rooftop Garden
(in case of inclement weather, workshop will be held in the International Students Reading Area, 3rd floor, SE Quadrant).

October 21st - Chris Fritton and Jessica Smith
4:30 - 5:30 p.m. International Students Reading Area, 3rd Floor, SE Quadrant

November 10th - Barbara Hollender and Irene Sipos
4:30 - 5:30 p.m. International Students Reading Area, 3rd Floor, SE Quadrant

December 9th - Winter Themed Open Mic
Bring your chilliest poems or songs to this winter themed open mic. Hot chocolate and cookies will be served.
4:30 - 5:30 p.m. International Students Reading Area 3rd Floor, SE Quadrant


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This page last updated 6/1/09. Please send Web corrections to Dennis.
For other inquiries about the Rooftop Poetry Club, contact Lisa.