Contact: Donna Urschel (202) 707-1639

March 23, 2011

Robert Casper Named Head of the Poetry and Literature Center

Robert Casper, programs director for the Poetry Society of America, has been named the head of the Poetry and Literature Center in the Office of Scholarly Programs at the Library of Congress.

Librarian of Congress James H. Billington said, "Casper brings a range of experience, expertise, new ideas and exuberance that promise to generate new dynamism in this important national program of poetry at the Library of Congress." Casper will start in his new position on March 28.

At the Poetry Society, the nation’s oldest poetry organization, Casper organized 50 to 60 events a year, including poetry readings, panel discussions, conferences, awards ceremonies and festivals, and events that were held in 13 cities across the country.

Prior to that position, Casper served as membership director for the Council of Literary Magazines and Presses, the nation’s only organization for independent literary publishers, where he greatly increased membership and substantially raised membership revenues. He also provided a variety of technical assistance to the publishers and helped develop and coordinate an annual conference on the business dimensions of literary writing.

Ten years ago, Casper founded the literary magazine Jubilat, which publishes the best of contemporary American poetry, along with interviews and a variety of other short literary forms. Jubilat has been featured in Poets & Writers, The Chronicle of Higher Education and on National Public Radio’s "All Things Considered."

The Poetry and Literature Center administers both the noon and the evening series and is the home of the Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry. Many of the nation=s most eminent poets have served as Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress and, after the passage of Public Law 99 194 (Dec. 20, 1985), as Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry.

The Library serves the U.S. Congress and the nation both on-site in its reading rooms on Capitol Hill and through its award-winning website at www.loc.gov. Many of the Library’s rich resources and treasures may also be accessed via interactive exhibitions on a personalized website at myLOC.gov.

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PR 11-065
03/23/11
ISSN 0731-3527

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