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The Pankake Poetry Series was named in honor of retired librarian Marcia Pankake, whose love of poetry was demonstrated in the countless readings and poetry events she hosted at the University of Minnesota Libraries.

The Pankake Poetry reading usually takes place during April, National Poetry Month. The event is supported by the Friends of the Libraries and is part of the Friends Forum: A Series for Curious Minds.

About Marcia Pankake

Marcia Pankake was raised on a farm in Maple Grove, Minnesota. She attended the University of Minnesota, earning advanced degrees in American Studies and Library Science. She was hired as a librarian at the University in the 1970s, and helped build the literature collections there until her retirement in 2006. In 2010, the Pankake Poetry Series was founded in her honor.

She and her husband Jon Pankake were members of the Minnesota string band, Uncle Willie and the Brandy Snifters. Marcia and Jon co-edited a collection of songs from the Prairie Home Companion radio show, published in the U.S. by Viking as “Prairie Home Companion Folk Song Book,” and published in England by Faber under a different title, that of “Joe’s Got a Head Like A Ping-Pong Ball.” In 1999 Marcia Pankake edited a second publication, “A Prairie Home Companion Commonplace Book: 25 Years on the Air With Garrison Keillor.”

Watch the Pankake Poetry series online

Many of the poetry readings in the series have been recorded. A playlist of past readings is available to view and share on our YouTube channel.

Pankake Poets

The full list of poets featured in the Pankake Poetry Series is listed below. The names with links are those with event recordings available online. Click the link to view the event.

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