Friday 3 July 2009

Poetry Library Acquisition

The Saison Poetry Library (incorporating the Arts Council’s Poetry Collection) has just acquired my complete backlist. The library has a strong collection of text-based book art, and an exhibition programme of new work by artists.

The Library has been one of my favourite places to work since it reopened last year. It’s particularly pleasant during a heatwave, as it is located in the Southbank Centre, in easy reach of the river and the endlessly diverting fountain installation, 'Appearing Rooms' by Jeppe Hein. Unlike the British Library, it offers the serendipitous pleasures of browsing the shelves: last week I went in looking for David Constantine’s Casper Hauser, which explores man's inhumanity to man, and came out with Distance & Proximity by Thomas A. Clark, which is a delightful meditation on the pleasures of walking in the countryside.