Teens are invited to stop by the East County Regional Library to share their creative thoughts during the Teen Poetry Slam next week.

East County Regional Library Senior Librarian Head of Youth Services Angela Hall said they have held Teen Poetry Slams in the past, typically in April during National Poetry Month.

“We decided to hold it more frequently,” she said of the slam being held this month. “We wanted to do it in the spring and the fall, maybe even quarterly.”

Hall said it’s all about building relationships with the teens and keeping the momentum going.

The next Teen Poetry Slam will be held from 2:45 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 26. The Slam is open for freshmen, sophomore, junior and senior students. On occasion, Hall said they may have some tweens that participate as well.

Jill Jennings, who has been sponsoring the teen writers workshop, is very passionate about the Slam and is cohosting the event. Hall said she has published some poetry, as well as other writings.

“We have a really strong presence from our teen community. We are situated between the middle school and high school campus,” Hall said of why they have such an influx of teen patrons.

The Teen Poetry Slam, Hall said is a way for students to express themselves.

“Literacy isn’t just about reading a book. It’s about artistic expression. It gives them a way to express themselves, what they are feeling and dealing with through artistic expression,” she said.

The teens, in the past, have used the Poetry Slam, to share through the spoken word, music and theatrically.

“Whatever they are comfortable with in terms of self expression,” she said. “It allows them to be creative. It allows them to find their own creative avenues . . . kind of finding themselves and discovering who they are. They can connect to themselves, as well as other people.”

The Slam provides an opportunity for young people to find their voice.

“They don’t have to prove anything to anybody,” she said, adding that it’s about how they are feeling and how they are processing any challenges they are faced with.

The teens who participate in the Slam will not be censored. Hall said there are no limits on what they write and talk about.

“This is their baby. It is their work. I’m not going to censor who they are, what they are writing about, or speaking about,” Hall said. “We want kids to be able to write the way they want to write. Not the way their English teachers want them to write, or their parents want them to write. Just the way they need to write.”

Teens are encouraged to stop by the library and be ready to share their work.

“No one is laughing, or making fun of you. No one is judging you. Come one, come all. This is their time to shine,” Hall said.

The Slam is sponsored by the Friends of East County Regional Library. For more information call, 239-479-4636, or stop by the library at 881 Gunnery Road.