November 11, 2009 Peggy V. Helmerich Browsing Room, Edmon Low Library

Story by Marissa Chavez, OSU Library Communications Intern

STILLWATER -Oklahoma may be a young state but it is rich in history and culture: Jim Barnes, Oklahoma's 2009 Poet Laureate, has proved that through his poetry. The Edmon Low Library welcomes him on Nov. 20 to commemorate Statehood Day.

"We wanted to bring a speaker in who could talk about Oklahoma in a meaningful way," said Mary Larson, professor and head of the Oklahoma Oral History Research Program and member of the Center for Oklahoma Studies.

Barnes will speak in the Peggy V. Helmerich Browsing Room, Edmon Low Library, at 3:30 p.m. A book sale and signing reception will follow.

Barnes has published eight books of poetry, two of poetry in translation, one of criticism and an autobiography. Many of his works have been honored, including The Sawdust War, which received the Oklahoma Book Award in Poetry.

"Barnes grew up in Oklahoma and has written beautiful things about the state, so he'’'s a great representative for statehood week," Larson said.

Oklahoma Ovation is held each year to celebrate Oklahoma’s admission as a state. Last year's event featured award-winning, Oklahoma author Rilla Askew.

The OSU Center for Oklahoma Studies is sponsoring this event. The center is part of a new University initiative to encourage interdisciplinary work. The Library's Oklahoma Oral History Research Program partnered with the English and history departments to create the Center for Oklahoma Studies.

This event is free and open to the public. For more information about this or other OSU Library programs, visit www.library.okstate.edu or call 405-744-7331.

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