Is the Poetry Center open to the public?
Absolutely! While the Poetry Center lives on The University of Arizona campus, the library is entirely open to the public. Everyone is welcome to come into and enjoy this space!
The Poetry Center is open Tuesday - Friday from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm and Saturdays from 9:00 am - 3:00 pm.
We have periodic closures that are detailed here.
Can I check out books from the Poetry Center library?
The Poetry Center is a non-lending library, which means you cannot check out books to take home. But the good news is you can browse our collection of over 60,000 books and enjoy the collection in-person as long as you like.
Additionally, a copier is available in the library if you want to copy poems (with a ten-cent suggested donation per copy).
can i come to a poetry reading?
Yes—and they're all free to attend!
(You can even attend virtually if you can't make it to the Poetry Center in person).
We have the honor of hosting contemporary poets and writers throughout the year, from renown poet laureates to emerging voices. Explore our calendar of upcoming events and we hope to see you soon for an evening of poetry!
is there free parking?
Free parking is available after 5:00 PM on weekdays and all day on weekends in uncovered parking areas that surround the building.
If you wish to visit the Poetry Center between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM on weekdays, the Highland parking garage is very conveniently located across the street from the Center and is available for use for a fee.
are your events free?
The vast majority—yes!
Our free events include our Reading Series, Kids Create, Exhibitions, and more. We are able to provide events free of admission through the generous support of our donors.
If you would also like to help the Poetry Center provide free, high-quality literary programming to Southern Arizona communities, you can to make a donation to the Poetry Center anytime.
how Can i learn more about writing and publishing poetry?
We offer Poetry Classes & Workshops throughout the year, taught by an amazing slate of visiting writers. These classes are open to writers of all levels!
Our librarians have also developed these helpful guides for Publishing Poetry and Literary Journals.
what's the story of your building?
Built in 2007, the award-winning Helen S. Schaefer building was intentionally designed as 'a progression toward solitude.' You'll notice that the space gradually moves from communal to private space—from the public reading venue where visiting poets read to the solitude of the library collection and bamboo gardens.
The contemporary architecture was designed by Line and Space LLC and architect Les Wallach, and the Poetry Center is named in honor of leading arts supporter Dr. Helen S. Schaefer.
how can i access poetry recordings?
You can listen to thousands of poems read in the poets own voice on Voca!
Voca, the Poetry Center's fully online audiovisual archive, features recordings from the Poetry Center's long-running Reading Series, from the 1960s all the way up to 2025.
Voca is fully captioned, transcribed, and free—and always growing!
can i volunteer at the poetry center?
Thank you so much for your interest!
We are not in need of new volunteers at this time.
how can i support the poetry center?
We depend on community support for our programs—and donors like you make all our work possible.
Your generous gifts:
- Ensure free access to our ever-growing collection of 60,000 books of poetry
- Support robust K-12 programming in Tucson and across Arizona
- Welcome hundreds of authors, rotating exhibits, rare books, and art installations
- Prioritize accessibility by making sure folks can experience poetry via live streaming and our robust Voca archive—housing more than 12,000 caption files and over 60 years of recorded poetry readings
Learn more about how to become a member of the Whitman Circle or make a gift to support the work of the Center.
how can i stay in touch?
Would you like to receive our print calendar in the mail? Request to be added to our list.
Prefer digital updates? Sign up for our e-newsletter!