The Library is delighted to announce its new calendar of events. Skim through these highlights or browse the complete newsletter.

Registration is required for all events unless individual listings state otherwise. Many events are open to the public, with some for members only; check individual listings for details.

New events are added throughout the season; watch our monthly newsletter for updates, and bookmark our main events page.

NEW EXHIBITION

Women Get the Vote: A Historic Look at the 19th Amendment

January 30 - August 30, 2019
Open to the public whenever the Library is open
Peluso Family Exhibition Gallery

A new exhibition devoted to the legendary women’s suffrage movement, a crusade that culminated in 1920 with the ratification of the 19th Amendment. Selections from the Library’s holdings bring to light the literature from a social and political revolution that reverberates down to the present day. 

Opening Reception: Women Get the Vote

For members and guests | January 29

Author Brooke Kroeger speaks about the roles of both men and women in the historic struggle for women's suffrage.

PLUS

• Seminar: Reading Together: The Many Voices of Women's Suffrage with Heidi K. Weber (three Tuesdays beginning February 26)
• Gallery Talks (alternating Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning January 31)

Women Get the Vote is generously supported by Ada Peluso.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Meet the Publishing Pros: Agents Brenda Bowen, John Silbersack, and Emma Sweeney

Open to the public | January 10

In this occasional series, writers and patrons interested in the publishing world are invited to insightful discussion with its stars. Brenda Bowen represents books for young readers and for adults at Greenburger Associates. John Silbersack of The Bent Agency is a publishing professional with a deep experience as editor, publisher, and agent. Emma Sweeney is president and owner of Emma Sweeney Agency LLC.

Person Place Thing with Randy Cohen and Susan Cheever

Open to the public | February 11

Person Place Thing is an interview show based on this idea: people are particularly engaging when they speak not directly about themselves but about something they care about. Guests talk about one person, one place, and one thing that are important to them. The result? Surprising stories from great talkers. In this live podcast recording, Person Place Thing host Randy Cohen chats with bestselling author and lifelong Library member Susan Cheever, with music by guitarist Tomas Rodriguez.

PLUS

• Special Writing Life Event: Sarah Ruhl, Letters from Max: A Book of Friendship (January 23) - and book club-style discussion (February 12)
• Workshop: Create Your Unique Book Club with Heidi K. Weber and Liz Scully (February 23)
• Project Cicero (book collection at the Library February 28 - March 7)

LECTURES

Madeline Miller, Circe

Open to the public | February 21

This #1 New York Times bestseller tells the tale of Circe, daughter of the mightiest Titan and possessor of the power of witchcraft, as she crosses paths with many of the most famous figures in all mythology. When she finds herself pitted against one of the most terrifying and vengeful of the Olympians, she must summon all her strength to protect what she loves most.

Elaine Pagels, Why Religion? A Personal Story

Open to the public | March 7

Why is religion still around in the twenty-first century? Why do so many still believe? And how do various traditions still shape the way people experience everything from sexuality to politics, whether they are religious or not? In Why Religion? one of today’s most compelling thinkers on the subject looks to her own life to help address these questions. And join in a book club-style discussion of Why Religion?, March 28.

PLUS

• Andrew S. Curran, Diderot and the Art of Thinking Freely (January 15)

SEMINARS AND READING GROUPS

The Dystopian Novel: Good Reads from Bad Places with Jane Mallison

For members only | four Wednesdays beginning February 6

For more than a century now, the dark, gloomy version of a “dystopia” has flourished. While such books can sound depressing, the ingenuity and wit of their authors makes them fascinating. Popular seminar leader Jane Mallison guides readers throught the wreckage of four classic dystopias, from 1984 to Parable of the Sower.

Poetry Through the Lens of Art with Bhisham Bherwani

For members only | three Mondays beginning March 18

Homer’s depiction of Achilles’ shield in the Iliad is often cited as the earliest example of ekphrastic poetry - poetry that responds to visual art. This seminar will survey ekphrastic poetry and consider how poets have resourcefully engaged with visual art - painting, sculpture, architecture, photography, and other media - to address their individual agendas, impulses, and interests.

PLUS

• Tea & Trollope Reading Group with Blanche Siegel (one Sunday per month resuming January 13)
• The World of Philip Roth with Erwin Flaxman (four Tuesdays beginning February 19)
• Reading Together: The Many Voices of Women's Suffrage with Heidi K. Weber (three Tuesdays beginning February 26)

THE WRITING LIFE

The Editor Is In: An Interactive Seminar with Walter Bode

For members only | monthly separate sessions beginning February 28

Books Walter Bode edited have won the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Critics Circle Award. In this seminar, he’ll help writers find the most effective words and make the best use of them – based on participants’ own writing samples.

Live from the Library

Open to the public | March 19

Library members read from their own short stories, novels, poetry, criticism, memoir, and plays. Refreshments and wine will be served.

PLUS

• Prompt! with Carol Weston (second Friday of the month beginning January 11)
• Uptown at Night: An Evening of Humorous Storytelling and Comedy (April 16)

The Writing Life events in 2019 are generously underwritten by Jenny Lawrence.

CHILDREN'S AND YOUNG ADULT EVENTS

Gail Carson Levine, Writing Magic

Open to the public | for grades 3 and up | January 17

The award-winning author of Ella Enchanted, The Lost Kingdom of Bamarre, and her most recent book, Ogre Enchanted, offers a glimpse into the magic behind her fantastical tales. She will share writing prompts so that participants can leave with the kernels of stories to develop into their own magical tales.

Family Fun Day

Open to the public | for families | February 2

A special opportunity to introduce your friends to the Library at our Children’s Library Open House: an afternoon of family fun featuring storyteller Bill Gordh with tales from around the globe!

PLUS

• The Young Writers Awards Competition (open January 2 - April 2)
• Workshop: Christina Amato, Making Books by Hand (February 6)
• Young Writers' Workshop: Poetry Café with Dave Johnson (February 27)
• Listen to the Magic: Storytelling with Getchie Argetsinger (March 2)
• Young Adult Authors: Renée Watson and Ellen Hagan, Watch Us Rise (April 13)

Children's and Young Adult events are generously supported by the Richard Peck Fund.

The February 27 poetry event and the Young Writers Awards are generously supported by Jeanette Wagner.

INFORMAL AND INFORMATIONAL GATHERINGS

Member Orientations

For members only | twice a month beginning January 24

It’s your Library. Learn about all the ways to make use of our collections, building, and services in an informal presentation/Q&A with a staff member. Sessions last approximately 45 minutes.

PLUS

• Happy Hour (third Wednesday of the month resuming January 16)
• Teatime (most weekday afternoons)