Home - Ardmore Library - Poetry Contest - LibGuides at Lower Merion Library System

20th Annual Charlotte Miller Simon Poetry Contest

Charlotte Miller Simon always had a deep love for poetry and read it to her sons from the time they were toddlers. She also encouraged them to write poems and stories of their own. It was at the Ardmore Library where, especially during the summer, the boys grew to love reading fiction, history, biography, science and poetry. Charlotte took the boys to the library several times a week, and there were always library books at home. Mitch, Jon, and Matt all have very fond memories of the time spent at the Ardmore Library. Charlotte Miller Simon passed away in August 2004, and it is with loving memory that this annual poetry contest is dedicated to her. She would have liked nothing better than to have it at the Ardmore Library. The Library is grateful to its benefactors, Jonathan and Christina Miller, for making these awards possible, and to Charlotte Miller Simon, whose life and love of poetry we remember today.

Entry Rules

One (1) original, unpublished poem per person, with only one (1) author per poem
Poems must be no more than 25 lines in length. No illustrations are permitted.
Poems must be submitted electronically through the contest entry form. Incomplete forms will not be accepted.

Divisions

Adult Division - Ages 18+

Teen Division - Grades 7-12

Children’s Division - Grades 1-6

Prizes

First, second and third place prizes will be awarded in all three divisions.

1st prize: $100

2nd prize: $75

3rd Prize $50

Contest Entry Form

COMPLETE AN ENTRY FORM

Deadlines

Your poem must be received no later than Friday, January 3, 2025.

Winners will be notified the week of February 3, 2025.

If your poem is selected as one of the prize winners, you are granting permission:

To publish your work in a library printed booklet
To read or have your poem read at the Library's Poetry Celebration Award Ceremony
To publish your name on the LMLS website and social media
To post your photo on the LMLS website or social media, upon completion of our Photo Release Form

Award Ceremony

March 16, 2025 at 2:00 pm

The public, all participants, and their families are invited to attend the Poetry Celebration Award Ceremony at the Board of Commissioners’ Meeting Room, second floor of the Lower Merion Township Building, 75 East Lancaster Avenue, Ardmore.