The UT Poetry Center, home to the Ruth Stephan Poetry Collection, is a diverse collection of poetry unique to the University of Texas Libraries. The center is located on the entry level of the Perry-Castañeda Library in the UFCU room.
The Ruth Stephan Collection is more than 50 years old and promotes the reading of poetry for enjoyment and edification. The collection also supports poets from the university and the greater Austin community, and it serves as a record of small press publishing in Austin. Some of the collection’s chapbooks, no longer in print, are not found at any other library! The collection is meant to be enjoyed by all, including the greater Austin and Texas communities. Therefore, the books do not circulate and are intended to be available for anyone looking for inspiration.
Ruth Stephan's intention in creating the collection was to "maintain and cherish the spirit of poetry and to recognize that poetry is the art of poets, not of critics." It is our sincere hope that the UT Poetry Center serves as a place for all writers and readers of poetry in Austin and beyond.
Visit the UT Poetry Center research guide for recommended books and to learn more about the collection.
