Volunteers will read her poems several times Tuesday over the Lawrence Public Library’s public address system, and then Emily Dickinson will make an appearance that evening to read some herself.

The famed American poet, who lived from 1830 to 1886, will not actually be in Lawrence, but Sandra Calvin Hastings will dress like Dickinson and present a first-person dramatization at 7 p.m. in the library’s auditorium to celebrate National Poetry Month.

“Dickinson’s poetry, I think, is pretty accessible. She’s considered one of the greatest American poets,” said Maria Butler, the library’s community relations coordinator. “Her poems are short, easy to read and very interesting.”

Hastings teaches literature and writing at Johnson County Community College, and she performs the first-person interpretations through the Kansas Humanities Council.

During her performance, Hastings will be introduced as Dickinson. Then she will read several poems and take questions in character. At the end, she will field questions out of character.

To warm up for Hastings’ performance, several Kansas University English department faculty members and other library patrons will read Dickinson poems every 30 minutes from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. Tuesday.

The library used a similar format in 2002 with Langston Hughes poetry, Butler said. Library staff members will display several poetry books in the library throughout the month.

Butler said she hoped that during National Poetry Month more adults and children would become interested in reading poetry.

“There’s something for everyone there. You can find something that speaks to you,” she said.

Emily Dickinson

Ode to Emily

The Lawrence Public Library is seeking volunteers to read Emily Dickinson poetry during half-hour time slots beginning at 9 a.m. Tuesday.

To help, call Maria Butler at 843-3833, ext. 123.