The Owen Sound and North Grey Union Public Library is appointing a new Poet Laureate.
Rebecca Diem was appointed to the role after a Feb. 29 board meeting, and officially started March 1.
Created in 2007 by the former CEO of the Owen Sound and North Grey Union Public Library Judy Beth Armstrong, the role aims to support and highlight the local literary arts and is funded by the community.
The Poet Laureate writes poetry about the area, as well as for special events, participates in public performances, as well as work with local poets and writers, while acting as a literary ambassador for the region.
“I’m excited to connect with local established and aspiring poets, because we have incredibly talented folks living here. Grey-Bruce and Owen Sound is such a unique place, and I appreciate it more and more as I grow and travel the world. I am honoured to serve my community as the Poet Laureate,”says Diem.
She comes to the role currently on leave as a director for Canada’s largest free book festival, The Word On The Street Toronto.
Diem writes speculative fiction and poetry and is the author of the indie steampunk series Tales of the Captain Duke. She is also working on a postpartum poetry collection inspired by the natural world and beach walks with a sleeping baby.
After having served as the Poet Laureate for the library since 2019, Richard-Yves Sitoski says the role gave him great personal and professional joy.
“I am especially thankful to the library for this extension of my term, for it allowed me to dig deeper in my work for the community. I look forward to seeing what my successor has planned, and I am excited to learn from them,” says Sitoski.