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 Members:
 Kim Chinquee
 Mike Sikkema
 Alberto O. Cappas
 Gabrielle Bouliane
 Joseph Bess
New Photos:
  6/11 Marina Blitshteyn & Jerome Gentes
  6/4 Ed Taylor & Paul White


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!


Spring / Summer Schedule

7/9: Reading featuring Geoffrey Gatza
Celebrating the publication of his new book,
Not So Fast Robespierre.
With Rich Owens and Mike Sikkema.
Rooftop Garden, Butler Library, 7 pm

7/16: Reading featuring Gabrielle Bouliane &
Liz Mariani

Rooftop Garden, Butler Library, 7 pm

7/23: Reading featuring Forrest Roth &
Jaye Bartell

Rooftop Garden, Butler Library, 7 pm

7/30: Reading featuring Karen Sands-O'Connor
Rooftop Garden, Butler Library, 7 pm


Fall Schedule

8/27: Welcome Back Open Mic
Rooftop Garden, Butler Library, 4:30 pm

9/17: "The Art of the Occasional Poem" Workshop with David Lampe
Int'l Students Reading Area, Butler Library, 4:30 pm

10/15: Songwriting Workshop
with Lisa & Dennis

Int'l Students Reading Area, Butler Library, 4:30 pm


Home | Members | Past Projects & Photos | Podcasts | Blog | Resources | Submit
Library Home | Buffalo State Home

This page last updated 7/7/08. Please send Web corrections to Dennis.
For other inquiries about the Rooftop Poetry Club, contact Lisa.