Winners of the 2026 Poetry Contest
- 04/03/2026
- 09:57
- Jackie Kolb
Thank you to everyone who submitted their poetry for the library’s 2026 Poetry Contest. We have loved reading your poems! Thank you for sharing your library memories and the reasons why you love libraries through verse.
Poems were judged in three categories: CHILDREN (1st through 7th grade), TEEN (8th through 12th grade) and ADULT (19+).
Due to the large number of submissions in the children’s category, the panel has picked 3rd and 4th place winners for that category.
This year’s panel was made up of representatives from The Library, The Friends of Seymour Library, and The Resting Soul.
Read the Winning Poems from the 2026 Poetry Contest.
Congratulations to this year’s winners!
First Place
Jan Graham (Adult Category)
Lily (Teen Category)
Rey (Children’s Category)
Second Place:
Suzanne Robison (Adult Category)
Callie (Teen Category)
Nova (Children’s Category)
Third Place:
Lily (Children’s Category)
Fourth Place:
Kayden (Children’s Category)
Please join us at the Cayuga Museum Carriage House Theater, 203 Genesee Street, on Thursday, April 23, at 6 pm for a reading of the winning poems, followed by a Poetry Open Mic Night!
Poets of all ages are welcome! Refreshments will be provided by the Friends of Seymour Library. No registration required for this free event!
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Seymour Library’s
2026 Poetry Contest: Library Love!
Adult Category
First Place: Oh, Library by Jan Graham
In the days of my youth
I’d walk your aisles
where sunlight filtered dusty gold
and the spicey scent of paper old
would fill my nose
whispered voices would drift
from stacks and secluded nooks
here page after page I’d turn
opening to me an imaginary world
now in my days of advancing age
I return to you and find once more
a refuge in the comforting arms of books
Second Place: SEYMOUR LIBRARY 1968 by Suzanne Robison
As a teen I bounce up the wide limestone steps,
Pulling open the tall, heavy, iron and glass door,
I enter Seymour Library and tiptoe to the cubbies,
Accessing the Card Catalog where location info is stored.
With the Dewey Decimal Number noted, I enter the stacks,
The glass floor is thick but still scary; I’m on guard,
I pull the book but walk, not run, to the Circulation Desk,
Bang! Bang! Bang! The Librarian date stamps all the cards.
My Library Card is returned to me; the book pocket holds a dated card,
The Librarian tells me to call to renew; she puts the last card in a sorter,
The Librarian is nice and we both smile as I pick up the book to leave,
She reminds me of the due date and says if I’m late I’ll owe a quarter!
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Teen Category
First Place: Hands by Lily
When I check out a library book
I ponder much more than its contents.
I wonder whose hands the book passed through
and what it meant to them.
I wonder what lesson they took away from it,
I wonder if it helped them through something,
I wonder if it meant as much to them as it did to me.
And in this way, I feel connected.
It comforts me to know that someone else shared that experience.
Because libraries bring us together.
Libraries do more than make us well read.
They help us learn and inquire about the people around us.
Second Place:
Untitled by Callie
A library’s books, thick or thin
It doesn’t Really matter what they’re made in
Choose some books, free of charge
some books are small, some books are large
come see the shelves, full of books
don’t be shy, come take a look
Librarians don’t care, if you’re rich or poor
They will just welcome you through the door
Children’s Category
First Place:
Our Book Haven by Rey
Our library feels like home
Books stacked on endless shelves, holding lores waiting to be told,
The letters on the pages come alive, beckoning me to quests galore!
My imagination sparks to life, words transport me to different worlds,
Will I be riding dragons? Fighting Ninjas? Or solving mysteries?
Our library is like a garden – enchanting and magical
The books like flowers – starting to bud when suspense rises,
And blossoming beautifully when climax arrives!
Whether I’m tired or blue,
I can count on the library to lift my spirits!
Where book characters feel like old friends,
Because our library feels like home.
Second Place:
Lovely Library by Nova
Oh lovely library
How you stand out
Making me happy
All about.
And all your books
That make me smile
I’ll read on and on
So it’s worthwhile.
Third Place:
A book by Lily
When you go to the library you’ll find a book.
The cover is pretty so you’ll look.
You’ll read the back and you’ll fall in love
It says it’s about a dove.
You’ll borrow the book and read it.
There’s another one so you’ll say you need it..
Then you’ll read that one too
And it starts relating to you.
You’ll write a book inspired by it.
And your mom says she thinks people will like it.
You’ll publish the book or so you think.
But it’s still in your notebook unpublished.
Fourth Place:
Book kid by Kayden
Josh loves his book
He names a club at school after books
He said to his mom
He wants to make books when he’s older
And that’s what happens
Love poetry? Check out the latest additions to books of verse in our collection!