Past Events

Don’t miss out—search our archives of past events. Videos, podcasts, and more are now available.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Filter By:

Fri, May 17, 12:00 PM
The Library Store On Wheels
The Library Store On Wheels at the Granada Hills Branch Library 12:00pm - 4:00pm


Thu, May 16, 7:15 PM [ALOUD]
Co-presented with LéaLA, Feria del Libro en Español de Los Ángeles
The Making of the Great Bolaño: The Man and the Myth
Panel discussion with author Ben Ehrenreich; Barbara Epler, president, New Directions; author Mónica Maristain; and poet-translator David Shook

Moderated by Héctor Tobar, staff writer, Los Angeles Times

Tue, May 14, 7:15 PM [ALOUD]
E.O. Wilson- CANCELLED
Letters to a Young Scientist

In conversation with author Margaret Wertheim

Thu, May 09, 6:30 PM
The Library Store On Wheels
The Library Store On Wheels at DTLA ArtWalk from 6:30pm - 11:30pm


Mon, May 06, 5:30 PM
The Library Store On Wheels
The Library Store On Wheels will be at the "On the Lot" Food Truck Fest in Los Feliz, from 5:30pm - 9:00pm. 


Sat, May 04, 11:00 AM
The Library Store On Wheels
The Library Store On Wheels at Taza Coffee Shop in Echo Park, 11:00am - 3:00pm


Sat, Apr 27, 12:00 PM
The Library Store On Wheels
The Library Store On Wheels at the Northridge Branch Library 12:00pm - 4:00pm


Thu, Apr 25, 7:15 PM [ALOUD]
Trevor Paglen
The Last Pictures


Tue, Apr 23, 7:15 PM [ALOUD]
Granta's Best Young British Novelists
Nadifa Mohamed and Ross Raisin

In conversation with John Freeman, Granta editor

Sun, Apr 21, 10:00 AM
The Library Store On Wheels
The Library Store On Wheels at the LA Times Festival of Books 10:00am - 5:00pm


Sat, Apr 20, 8:30 PM
The Book Drop BASH!
Celebrating the Literary Life of Los Angeles


Wed, Apr 17, 7:15 PM [ALOUD]
Frans de Waal
The Bonobo and the Atheist

In conversation with primatologist Amy Parish

Tue, Apr 16, 3:00 PM
The Library Store On Wheels
The Library Store On Wheels at Studio City Branch Library 3:00pm - 7:00pm


Thu, Apr 11, 6:30 PM
The Library Store On Wheels
The Library Store On Wheels at DTLA ArtWalk from 6:30pm - 11:30pm


Wed, Apr 10, 7:15 PM [ALOUD]
Cheryl Strayed
Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail

In conversation with Judith Lewis Mernit, writer and contributing editor, High Country News 

Tue, Apr 09, 7:15 PM [ALOUD]
Caroline Kennedy and Eloise Klein Healy
Poetry to Live By


Thu, Apr 04, 7:15 PM [ALOUD]
Aleksandar Hemon
The Book of My Lives: A Memoir

In conversation with author Louise Steinman

Sat, Mar 23, 5:00 PM
The Writer's Cut: Dan O'Shannon
Behind the Scenes with Today's Best Television Writers

For Members of the Library Foundation of Los Angeles

Thu, Mar 21, 7:15 PM [ALOUD]
From the Ground Up: Sustainable Coffee Culture
Panel discussion with Alexandra Katona-Carroll, program manager, Coffee Quality Institute; Jay Ruskey, owner, Good Land Organics; Angel Orozco, owner and roaster, Cafecito Orgánico

Moderated by Peter Giuliano, Specialty Coffee Association of America

Tue, Mar 19, 7:15 PM [ALOUD]
Marisa Silver
A Photograph Brought to Life: A Novelist Reimagines Dorothea Lange's "Migrant Mother"

In conversation with poet and memoirist Meghan O'Rourke

Thu, Mar 14, 7:15 PM [ALOUD]
Mohsin Hamid
How to Get Filthy Rich in Rising Asia: A Novel

In conversation with novelist David Treuer

Tue, Mar 12, 7:15 PM [ALOUD]
Bernie Krause
The Great Animal Orchestra: Finding the Origins of Music in the World's Wild Places

Sound lecture

Tue, Mar 05, 7:15 PM [ALOUD]
Nathan Englander
What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank

In conversation with David L. Ulin, Los Angeles Times book critic

Sat, Mar 02, 7:00 PM
7:00pm Doors Open - 8:00pm Showtime - 9:30pm Concert
THIS IS YOUR LIBRARY...

with punk legend Exene Cervenka, Mike White of HBO's Enlightened, author Héctor Tobar & City Librarian John Szabo.  Plus special musical guest Feeding People.

Fri, Mar 01, 11:45 PM
Stay Home and Read a Book Ball
Mark Salzman, Chair

Tue, Feb 26, 8:15 PM
Cocktails with Gavin Newsom
Free for Young Literati and a guest.

Immediately following ALOUD at Central Library.

Mon, Feb 25, 7:15 PM [ALOUD]
Katherine Boo* Program Cancelled
Behind the Beautiful Forevers: Life, Death, and Hope in a Mumbai Undercity

In conversation with Louise Steinman, curator, ALOUD

Thu, Feb 21, 7:15 PM [ALOUD]
The Feminine Mystique: Where Are We 50 Years Later?
Hanna Rosin (The End of Men); Kathy Spillar, executive editor, Ms. Magazine; Tani Ikeda, co-founder of imMEDIAte Justice; and Carol Downer, co-founder of Feminist Women's Health Centers

Moderated by Dr. Amy Parish, primatologist and Darwinian feminist

Mon, Feb 11, 7:15 PM [ALOUD]
A Guide to Living on our Radioactive Planet
Dr. Robert Peter Gale, M.D. and Eric Lax


Sun, Feb 10, 3:00 PM
An Afternoon at The Getty Research Institute with Black Clock
Free for Members of the Young Literati.

Featuring Aimee Bender, Geoff Nicholson, Susan Straight and David Ulin.
Presented in collaboration with the Getty Research Institute.

Sat, Feb 09, 2:00 PM [ALOUD]
Co-presented with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association
Chamber Music Concert
With musicians from the Los Angeles Philharmonic: Stacy Wetzel, Violin; Chao-Hua Jin, Violin; Minor Wetzel, Viola; Hui Liu, Viola; Joy Song Thomson, Cello


Wed, Feb 06, 7:15 PM [ALOUD]
Writing and the Art of Not Knowing
George Saunders and Bernard Cooper: Reading and Conversation

Moderated by Sarah Shun-lien Bynum

Tue, Jan 29, 7:15 PM [ALOUD]
Diego Luna
Shooting Reflections: Film and Social Change

In conversation with Mandalit del Barco, correspondent, national desk, NPR West

Thu, Jan 24, 7:15 PM [ALOUD]
Nick Flynn
The Reenactments

In conversation with Elvis Mitchell, film critic and host of The Treatment on KCRW 89.9 FM

Thu, Jan 17, 7:15 PM [ALOUD]
Mid-Century Modern
Architecture, Photography, and the Good Life in Cold War California

Panel discussion with Jenny Watts, curator of photographs, The Huntington; Christopher Hawthorne, architecture critic, Los Angeles Times; D.J. Waldie, author and historian

Tue, Jan 15, 7:15 PM [ALOUD]
Amy Wilentz
Farewell, Fred Voodoo: A Letter from Haiti

In conversation with Jon Wiener, author and professor of history, U.C. Irvine

Thu, Jan 10, 7:30 PM [ALOUD]
Co-presented with the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center
An Evening with Jeff Bridges and Bernie Glassman
The Dude and The Zen Master

In conversation with Rev. Danny Fisher, Coordinator of the Buddhist Chaplaincy Department, University of the West

Thu, Dec 13, 7:15 PM [ALOUD]
LA Grand Ensemble
A Visual Concert

Performing Shostakovich, Colomer, and Mahler

Mon, Dec 10, 7:15 PM [ALOUD]
Anne Lamott
Help, Thanks, Wow: The Three Essential Prayers

In conversation with Father Gregory Boyle

Thu, Nov 29, 7:15 PM [ALOUD]
An Evening with U.S. Poet Laureate Natasha Trethewey

Reading followed by a conversation with Rob Casper,
Head of the Poetry and Literature Center at the Library of Congress

Tue, Nov 27, 8:15 PM
Cocktails with Jon Meacham and Bill Maher
Free for Young Literati and a guest.

Immediately following ALOUD at Central Library.

Mon, Nov 19, 7:15 PM [ALOUD]
Lisa Randall
Knocking on Heaven’s Door: How Physics and Scientific Thinking Illuminate the Universe and the Modern World

In conversation with writer/producer Lynda Obst

Tue, Nov 13, 7:15 PM [ALOUD]
Facing the Torturer: A Meditation on Cambodia *PROGRAM CANCELLED*
François Bizot

In conversation with Eric Stover, author and war crimes investigator

Thu, Nov 08, 7:15 PM [ALOUD]
Daniel Mendelsohn and Jonathan Lethem
In Search of a Form: Two Writers Talk About the Essay 


Wed, Nov 07, 7:15 PM [ALOUD]
Desert America: Boom and Bust in the New Old West
Rubén Martínez

In conversation with Alison Hawthorne Deming, poet and essayist

Tue, Oct 30, 7:15 PM [ALOUD]
Sacred Ground: Pluralism, Prejudice, and the Promise of America
Eboo Patel

In conversation with Ed Bacon, rector, All Saints Episcopal Church

Mon, Oct 29, 7:30 PM [ALOUD]
Co-presented with The Eli and Edythe Broad Stage
An Evening with Tom Wolfe
In conversation with screenwriter Howard A. Rodman

With actor René Auberjonois performing a dramatic reading of Tom Wolfe’s work

Sat, Oct 27, 8:00 PM
Young Literati 5th Annual Toast


Wed, Oct 24, 7:15 PM [ALOUD]
Reinventing Bach: A Lecture
Paul Elie

With Bach selections performed by violinist Ga Hyun Cho

Tue, Oct 23, 7:15 PM [ALOUD]
The Worlds of Ursula K. Le Guin *PROGRAM CANCELLED*

In conversation with author Charles Yu
(How to Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe)

Wed, Oct 17, 7:15 PM [ALOUD]
Ludo Lefebvre and Roy Choi
Taking the Kitchen to the Street: Experiments in Flavor and Form

In conversation with Lesley Suter, dine editor, LA Magazine

Sun, Oct 14, 8:00 PM [ALOUD]
Co-presented with the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center
David Byrne and Trent Reznor
Going it Solo: Music, Marketing and the Web

In conversation with Josh Kun, professor, USC Annenberg School for Communication

Wed, Oct 10, 7:15 PM [ALOUD]
Bettye LaVette
A Woman Like Me

In conversation with author David Ritz

Tue, Oct 09, 7:15 PM [ALOUD]
The Future of African American Literature and the Paradox of Progress
Attica Locke and Erica Edwards in conversation


Mon, Oct 01, 7:15 PM [ALOUD]
Pankaj Mishra
Journey Through the Ruins of Empire

In conversation with Nicholas Goldberg, editor, Los Angeles Times editorial pages

Thu, Sep 27, 7:15 PM [ALOUD]
Playing the Future: How Games Are Changing the Way We Live
Mark Essen and Tracy Fullerton

In conversation with Sam Roberts, director, IndieCade

Mon, Sep 24, 12:30 PM [ALOUD]
Salman Rushdie
Freedom, Literature, and Living on the Run

In conversation with Louise Steinman, curator, ALOUD

Thu, Sep 20, 7:15 PM [ALOUD]
The Voting Wars: How Do We Move Beyond Partisanship and Polarization—or Should We?
Panel Discussion with author Rick Hasen (The Voting Wars), Connie Rice (attorney), Leslie Berestein Rojas  (Emerging Communities Reporter, KPCC) and Nicole Stygar (O.C. Young Republicans)

Moderated by Marty Kaplan, director, Norman Lear Center, USC Annenberg

Tue, Sep 18, 7:15 PM [ALOUD]
How Children Succeed: Grit, Curiosity, and the Hidden Power of Character
Paul Tough

In conversation with Patt Morrison, L.A. Times columnist & radio host, KPCC, 89.3 FM

Fri, Sep 14, 8:15 PM
Cocktails with Robert Hass & Carol Muske-Dukes
Free for Young Literati and a guest.

Immediately following ALOUD at Central Library.

Thu, Aug 23, 7:00 PM
Cocktails at the Marion Davies Guest House with GOOD.


Tue, Jul 24, 7:00 PM [ALOUD]
Newer Poets XVII: A Reading
With Xochitl-Julisa Bermejo, Mia Carli, Paul Lieber, Angela Peñaredondo, Verónica Reyes, and Rolland Vasin


Wed, Jul 18, 7:00 PM [ALOUD]
Passion with a Purpose/ The Healing Power of Music
Talk and performance by LA Philharmonic violinist Robert Gupta

Followed by a conversation with Gail Eichenthal, program director, Classical KUSC 91.5 FM

Tue, Jul 17, 7:00 PM [ALOUD]
Flavor Forward: A Taste of Downtown L.A.
Panel Discussion with chefs Ilan Hall (Gorbals), Judy Han (Blue Cow, Mendocino Farms), John Rivera Sedlar (Rivera), Ricardo Zarate (Mo-Chica), Patricia Zarate (HomeGirl Café) 

Moderated by Evan Kleiman, host of Good Food, KCRW 89.9FM

Thu, Jul 12, 7:00 PM [ALOUD]
Strumming New Traditions: The Sounds of L.A.’s Son Jarocho
Musical performance by Las Cafeteras  

Followed by a conversation with César Castro "jarochelo" of Grupo Cambalache and Betto Arcos, host of The Global Village, KPFK 90.7 FM

Tue, Jul 10, 7:00 PM [ALOUD]
Joy Harjo
Crazy Brave: A Memoir   

Reading and Performance followed by a conversation with Keren Taylor, writer and director, Write Girl

Mon, Jul 09, 7:00 PM [ALOUD]
Sapphire
The Kid: A Novel 

In conversation with Brighde Mullins, director, Masters in Professional Writing Program, USC

Thu, Jun 28, 8:15 PM
Cocktails with Dana Spiotta & Janet Fitch


Tue, Jun 26, 7:00 PM [ALOUD]
Radio Ambulante: Stories from the Americas
Daniel Alarcón with Annie Murphy, Nancy López, Ruxandra Guidi, and Martina Castro

In bilingual conversation with Adolfo Guzman-Lopez, Arts and Education reporter, KPCC 89.3 FM

Thu, Jun 21, 7:00 PM [ALOUD]
A New Deal for Los Angeles
David Kipen and Gray Brechin in conversation


Tue, Jun 19, 7:00 PM [ALOUD]
Sara Lawrence-Lightfoot
Exit: The Endings That Set Us Free 

In conversation with Robin Kramer, senior advisor, The Annenberg Retreat at Sunnylands

Wed, Jun 13, 7:00 PM [ALOUD]
Tales from the City of Angels
An Evening of Storytelling, M.C.'d by Richard Montoya of Culture Clash

With Myriam Gurba, Erin Aubry Kaplan, Philip Littell, Héctor Tobar, Brenda Varda and Alie Ward

Tue, Jun 12, 7:00 PM [ALOUD]
Gail Collins
As Texas Goes...How the Lone Star State Hijacked the American Agenda 

In conversation with columnist Anne Taylor Fleming

Wed, Jun 06, 7:00 PM [ALOUD]
The Elemental West: Reflections on Moving Water
Kathleen Dean Moore and Craig Childs 

In conversation with William Deverell,
director, Huntington-USC Institute on California & the West

Sat, Jun 02, 7:00 PM
7:00pm Doors Open - 8:00pm Showtime - 9:30pm Concert
THIS IS YOUR LIBRARY...

with actor and art collector Cheech Marin, founding member of The Cure Lol Tolhurst, Taschen's Sexy Book editor Dian Hanson, and poet & UCLA Professor of English Harryette Mullen.

Thu, May 31, 7:00 PM [ALOUD]
An Evening with Novelist Richard Ford

In conversation with Michael Silverblatt,
host of "Bookworm" on KCRW 89.9 FM

Thu, May 24, 7:00 PM [ALOUD]
Arlie Hochschild
The Outsourced Self: Intimate Life in Market Times

In conversation with Amy Parish, biological anthropologist and primatologist, USC

Tue, May 22, 7:00 PM [ALOUD]
Eli Broad
The Art of Being Unreasonable: Lessons in Unconventional Thinking

In conversation with Jim Newton, editor-at-large, LA Times

Wed, May 16, 7:00 PM [ALOUD]
A Bitter Taste of Freedom
The story of fearless journalist Anna Politkovskaya

Film screening and Q & A with
Filmmaker Marina Goldovskaya

Tue, May 15, 8:15 PM
Cocktails with David Eagleman
Free for Young Literati and a guest.

Immediately following ALOUD at Central Library.

Fri, May 11, 11:45 PM
MEMBER APPRECIATION DAYS!

Friday, Saturday and Sunday, May 11-13, 2012

Thu, May 10, 7:00 PM [ALOUD]
Alison Bechdel
Autobiography and the Graphic Novel

In conversation with Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times staff writer

Wed, May 09, 7:00 PM [ALOUD]
Terry Tempest Williams