Penn State librarian Kim Fisher wanted to make poetry more accessible to the public. Now, after his tragic death a year ago, Fisher's name and art hangs alongside the poetry he sought to bring to people.

Throughout the month posters will continue to adorn the walls of campus buildings and businesses in downtown State College, celebrating poetry in honor of the admired librarian.

Fisher, the first Paterno Family Librarian for Literature, initiated the Public Poetry Project in 1999.

He wanted to display poetry in more public places so that people could enjoy and incorporate poetry into their daily lives, said Gabriel Welsch, lecturer and assistant director for communications for the English department. Fisher had put a great deal of time and effort into the project and had even selected some of the participating poets, Welsch said.

Fisher's work on the project ended when he was struck and killed by a car in January 2000.

His friends, Bonnie MacEwan, assistant dean for collection development in the University Libraries, and Welsch encouraged and assisted Fisher in his efforts for the project. Now, a year later, the two have carried on his wishes making "The Public Poetry Project Initiated by Kim Fisher" a reality. Posters created by Gretl Collins, a graphic designer for the College of Agricultural Sciences, display poems, artwork and some of Fisher's personal photographs in Pattee Library, throughout campus and also downtown.

Poetry readings and a reception will be a part of "An Evening of Pennsylvania Poets: Readings in Celebration of the Public Poetry Project" from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Lawrence G. and Ellen Foster Auditorium, 101 Pattee Library.

"The readings mark the achievements of the first year of this project. I think Kim would be very happy with how it has turned out," Welsch said

Over the past year, several poems by eight poets have been displayed in Central Pennsylvanian businesses and at Penn State branch campuses. The Public Poetry Project will continue throughout 2001 under Steven Herb, director of the Pennsylvania Center for the Book, with the support of the University Libraries.

MacEwan said that Tuesday night's readings mark the transition from this as Fisher's project to being an undertaking of the Pennsylvania Center for the Book.

"But we will always remember and celebrate the project as he created it," MacEwan said.

On Tuesday, five Pennsylvania poets will read some of their poetry, including pieces that were chosen for the 2000 Public Poetry Project poster series. The event is sponsored by the English department, the Eberly Family Special Collections Library in the University Libraries and the Pennsylvania Center for the Book.

Poets showcasing their talents include Gary Fincke, John Haag, Harry Humes, Julia Kasdorf and Marjorie

Maddox, who were chosen because of their strong connection to Pennsylvania and Penn State, Herb said.

"This project is not so much a memorial to Kim as it is a celebration of life and poetry. A year after his death, one cannot help but remember the inspiration he put into this project," Herb said.

Herb said he is committed to a second year of this project and hopes to commit to a third. "There has been a revival of poetry readings and participation throughout the country and this is a great opportunity to see some locally. I will be delighted to see a large turnout of students and others getting a taste of what Penn State has to offer," Herb said.

Audience members will have the opportunity to interact with the poets and enjoy the display at a reception in the Charles W. Mann Jr. Assembly Room, 103 Paterno Library, immediately following the readings. Both are open to the public.

The exhibit of poetry and art will remain until Feb. 28.