Existing comment:
Duties of the Poet Laureate:
The position, as originally conceived by the Librarian of Congress Herbert Putnam, was created to build the Library's literary collections and encourage their public use -- duties today carried out by librarians.
Early expectations for the position are reflected in a memo from reference librarian David C. Mearns outlining the duties of newly appointed Consultant Allen Tate (1943-44). Gwendolyn Brooks (1985-86) served as the 29th, and final, Consultant in Poetry. |