One of the community building traditions we have at the Schmid Law Library celebrates libraries (National Library Week) and poetry (National Poetry Month).
To honor both, one of our activities during National Library Week encourages laws students, faculty, and staff to submit Haiku entries for a "contest". All community members are then encouraged to vote for their favorite Haiku - with the winner having bragging rights for the year and receiving special swag.
Why Haiku? Former Dean Steve Willborn encouraged Haiku writing during his tenure "in an attempt 'to find healthy and appropriate outlets for procrastination,' during Nebraska's bleary winter". The law library has continued the tradition during National Library Week with our Haiku competition.
It's interesting to see the themes from each year. The 2020 submissions were during the pandemic shut down and the uncertainty of that period and shift to all online education clearly came through. With the "return to normal" in the subsequent years, a variety of themes are woven into the submissions.
Need inspiration? Look at what Haiku is, check out the New York City in 17 Syllables from the New York Times, and/or review examples of some of our previous submissions to get your creative juices flowing and submit YOUR Haiku to the MAALL ANNUAL MEETING HAIKU COMPETITION!
Submit your entries to Sandy Placzek (splaczek2@unl.edu). All submissions will be posted to this Guide and voting will occur during our annual meeting in November.
Feel free to submit multiple entries. Unsure if you'll be attending the meeting? No worries - you can still submit your creations.
Check back frequently to see the updated contributions. Submissions will be accepted through noon Friday, November 8. "Polls" (voting via a Google Form page) will be open beginning at 1 p.m., Friday, November 8 and and votes will be accepted through 1 p.m. Saturday, November 9. The "winner" (entry receiving the most votes) will be announced by Monday, November 11 with the winner receiving a fabulous swag bag of Lincoln and Nebraska related treats!