In celebration of National Poetry Month, the Mercer County Library System (MCLS) is excited to announce the 2026 Haiku Contest.
The contest is open to residents of all ages who live, work, or attend school in Mercer County. Entries (limited to one per person) will be accepted from Thursday, January 1, through Monday, February 9, 2026, via the MCL website: mcl.org. The haiku must be original and unpublished (not previously printed, posted online, or under consideration elsewhere) and follow the traditional 5-7-5 syllable structure. A panel of judges will choose the finalists. Winners will be chosen by Alicia Ostriker, professor emerita of English at Rutgers University, 2018 Poet Laureate of New York, and Chancellor of the Academy of American Poets from 2015 to 2020. Prizes will be awarded for first, second, and third place. A Poetry Reading and Prize Ceremony will take place Thursday, April 9 at the Lawrence Headquarters Branch, Mercer County Library System.
County Executive Dan Benson said:
“Such a great contest
Poets of Mercer County
Submit your haiku”
For full contest guidelines and submission details, please visit www.mcl.org.