Town of North Haven Poet Laurate
The mission of North Haven’s Poet Laureate Program is to communicate the value of poetry and use poetry as a means to engage, educate, and entertain the community at large. The Poet Laureate of the Town of North Haven serves as an ambassador promoting the creation and enjoyment of poetry. Learn about our North Haven Poet Laureate Committee here.
Dr. Beth Luoma, 2025-2027
Dr. Elizabeth Morse Luoma began writing poetry as an elementary school student while growing up in Connecticut, winning state and national awards for her poetry and essays. With a Ph.D. in cell biology and a passion for education, Dr. Luoma's career has focused on scientific and education research, teaching, writing, and public speaking. She is currently Executive Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning at Sacred Heart University, lives in North Haven with her husband (Jeff) and her children (James and Ruth), and enjoys writing and sharing poetry in both personal and professional settings.
As Poet Laureate for the town of North Haven since 2025, Dr. Luoma has written and performed original poetry at numerous town events, including the Memorial Day parade, Veterans Day ceremony, Board of Selectmen Meeting, and North Haven Memorial Library Renovation Reception. She has also led poetry workshops for the community, including "Poetry for Grief" in collaboration with Elaine Nadal, Poet Laureate of the town of Milford, and "My Life through Lyrics" for middle school students in collaboration with Gavin Knauft, North Haven Youth Poet Laureate. She has been an invited speaker and guest in local university classes and events. She also serves as a judge and workshop facilitator for the North Haven Memorial Library youth summer poetry contest.
Want to learn more about how a biologist like Dr. Luoma became a poet laureate? Read this magazine feature in Holy Cross Magazine.
Interested in having Dr. Luoma speak at a North Haven event or run a workshop for your community group? Email her at northhavenpoet@gmail.com.
What Bradley Begot
By Dr. Elizabeth Morse Luoma, North Haven Poet Laureate
Written for the North Haven Memorial Library Renovation Celebration (February 21, 2026)
What Bradley begot with the gift of a grand,
gave rise to the building in which we now stand.
Bequeathed to begin a library for this town -
A mission, a vision - as seven residents gathered round.
A town meeting, a charter, a new home with Dr. Lord,
In 1884, the library opened its doors.
Its shelves increased volumes; the collection - how it grew!
And in just a few years, it needed home number two.
What Bradley begot moved to Memorial Town Hall,
and was declared to be free and available to all.
Learning begot learning, giving begot giving,
Memorial monies poured in - the deceased honored by the living.
What Bradley begot received home number three:
A 1938 Booth design with newfound capacity.
Land from Linsley children, Stiles bricks at the helm,
A dedicated building where Broadway meets Elm.
Decades to develop, the Culver collection acquired,
New land bequeathed, new location desired.
What Bradley begot needed home number four:
The perfect field of dreams awaited next door.
Just feet from where cleats crossed over home plate,
Stands our library of lore in its location to date.
What Bradley begot continues to grow
As it reaches more people than we’ll ever know.
More stacks, more seats, more places to meet,
From the roof to the floors, the latest renovation complete.
A page has been turned, a new chapter begun,
What Bradley begot chronicles the power of one.
Past and Current Poet Laureates
2025-2027: Dr. Beth Luoma
2022-2025: Gabriella Brand
What is expected of the Poet Laureate?
The Poet Laureate expectations include, but are not limited to, promoting reading, understanding, and writing of poetry, to develop and facilitate poetry workshops, upon invitation, be a guest in the North Haven public schools, read original poems at public events, collaborate with other poets to develop and present poetry-related activities, and represent North Haven in the Connecticut Coalition of Poets Laureate.
Eligibility & Application Requirements
To be considered, a nominee must be a poet and resident of North Haven, ages 21 and up.
Applications for our 2027-2029 Poet Laureate will open in summer of 2026.
Applications are required to include the following:
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A signed copy of the North Haven Poet Laureate Application Form and Required Materials Sheet (button below)
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A brief artist’s statement or personal philosophy that describes how the nominee intends to approach the scope of the work and the objectives of this program
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A sample of up to five poems by the nominated poet, citing sources if the work has been published
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A resume or CV
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Up to three letters of recommendation
Are you ready to apply?
A fillable PDF of the application can be downloaded via the button below, while paper copies can picked up at the Adult Service Desk (1st Floor). You decide which application method is easier for you.
Completed applications and all accompanying documents may be emailed to
poetlaureate@northhavenlibrary.net
or returned in person to the Adult Service Desk by TBD.
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The North Haven Library is seeking committee members for the
2027 Poet Laureate Search!
The North Haven Poet Laureate Committee is comprised of a North Haven Memorial Library staff member, a member of the North Haven Memorial Library Board of Directors, and two representatives from any of the following categories:
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A member of the local education community
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Poetry faculty member from a Connecticut college or university
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Interested adult community member
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Former Poet Laureate
If you are interested in being part of the committee please email poetlaureate@northhavenlibrary.net or deliver a print letter of interest to the library by TBD with your contact information, including name, email, address, and phone number.