Upon seeing their words printed in “For Those Who Dream by Day” for the first time, local poets began referring to the book as “our anthology.”
This was always the intent and hearing such warm feedback was “incredibly inspiring,” said Zoe Ocampo, Adams County Cultural Arts manager.
“A lot of people feel incredibly heard and seen by their local government and community, and that’s really the goal of the overall program: to elevate voices.”
The Adams County Poet Laureate Program launched in 2023 as a partnership between Adams County and Anythink Libraries. With the goal of breaking down barriers to poetry, it’s led to open mic nights, workshops and now, this one-of-a-kind literary work.
“For Those Who Dream by Day” is the first Adams County Community Anthology, a published poetry collection celebrating the inaugural Adams County Poet Laureate Kerrie Joy, who also edited the book. Alongside Joy’s poetry, the collection features 46 works by local poets and photographers.
“It’s really just this beautiful community anthology,” Ocampo said. “It came to life as a direct way to communicate and share literary arts.”
The collection centers around the multitude of ways we dream, from dreams not yet achieved, to the ones we’ve realized. The topic resonated with Joy as an artist and allowed for varied interpretations from local artists who submitted their work.
“The poetry ranges in voices from all over Adams County talking about all sorts of things that are really just very human.”
Anthology copies will be available to the public to pick up starting Sept. 21 at all Anythink Library branches and the Adams County Government Center for free. An ebook version will also be available to own or check out through Anythink later this year.
“We use the arts as a way to connect community, and access is the primary piece of that,” Ocampo said about their commitment to providing this book, other poetry events and broader access to art and culture to residents at no cost.
While Joy finished her term in 2025, Adams County and Anythink Libraries are excited to be working with current Adams County Poet Laureate Aerik Francis. Several exciting events with Francis are coming this fall, from a create your own wearable poetry event at The Studio at Anythink Thornton Community Center, to an eco-poetry workshop and a youth open mic night. Click to view all of the upcoming events and learn more.