The Keene Public Library's competition is open to high school students in grades 9-12 who are either home schooled or attending a non-participating high school. The National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation have partnered with U.S. state arts agencies to support Poetry Out Loud a contest that encourages the nation's youth to learn about great poetry through memorization and recitation. This program helps students master public speaking skills, build self-confidence, and learn about their literary heritage. Poetry Out Loud uses a pyramid structure that starts at the classroom level. Winners advance to a school-wide competition then to a regional and/or state competition and ultimately to the National Finals. The Keene Public Library has held an open competition each of the past five years.