In South Los Angeles
One of South LA’s hidden gems, Sims Library of Poetry, 2702 W. Florence Ave., serves as a community space for literature and poetry lovers alike is in danger of closing its doors due to financial obligations.
Open for four years, Hiram Sims serves as its executive director. A former college professor, Sims originated the idea for the library after requesting that his students read a book of poetry a week. It all began with a suitcase that was filled to the brim with books students could loan and has now evolved into a space where poetry lovers are welcome. On Saturday, Jan. 27 Sims LIbrary will host a fundraising event called the “Give Words Campaign” from 2 to 5 p.m.
Fifteen poets, including Sims, will read selected works. Music, food and refreshments. A raffle and a silent auction will also be included.
The Sims Library of Poetry is the first Black-owned library in the state of California. Sims is also the newly appointed commissioner of the Los Angeles Public Library and teaches of LAPL and teaches CLI (Community Literary Initiative), a program aimed at helping aspiring poets publish books of poetry. The library is home to more than 10,000 books of poetry.
For more information on how to support the Sims Library of Poetry, visit www.simslibraryofpoetry.org, or call (323) 531-2511.
