Live! At the Library: A Conversation with Robert Pinsky
Former three-time U.S. Poet Laureate Robert Pinsky returns to the Library for a discussion of his poetry and criticism with Ron Charles, who writes about books on Substack. A book signing will follow.
Date:2026-03-05
Event
Live! At the Library: An Evening with Norah O’Donnell
Broadcast journalist Norah O'Donnell explores overlooked women who shaped American history in "We the Women: The Hidden Heroes Who Shaped America," her new book chronicling female pioneers from 1776 to the present.
Date:2026-03-05
Event
Live! At the Library: U.S. Poet Laureate Inaugural Event Celebrating Arthur Sze
Event has been updated
Award-winning poet Arthur Sze will give his inaugural reading as the 25th Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry at the Library of Congress. The historic reading marks the beginning of Sze's laureateship. Book signing to follow.
Date:2025-12-11
Event
Family Day: Author Talk with Raina Telgemeier and Scott McCloud
As part of Family Day, join bestselling cocreators Raina Telgemeier and cartoonist Scott McCloud as they talk about their middle grade graphic novel, "The Cartoonists Club." Participate in an exciting interactive program that includes inspiration for coming up with ideas for comics, live drawing and a Q&A, followed by a meet and greet with the authors.
Date:2025-10-18
Event
Live! At the Library: U.S. Poet Laureate Inaugural Event Celebrating Arthur Sze
Event has been rescheduled
Award-winning poet Arthur Sze will give his inaugural reading as the 25th Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry at the Library of Congress. The historic reading marks the beginning of Sze's laureateship. Book signing to follow.
Date:2025-10-09
Event
Live! At the Library: A Conversation with Kate McKinnon
Lovers of comedy, adventure-seekers and kids at heart: come meet Kate McKinnon, award-winning performer and writer who is celebrated globally for her work in film and television. In this Storytime for Adults event, she'll talk about writing her middle grade series, "The Millicent Quibb School of Etiquette for Young Ladies of Mad Science," and the latest entry in the series, "Secrets of the Purple…
Date:2025-10-02
Event
Katherine Rundell Presents “The Impossible Creatures” Series
Do you love a thrilling adventure, feisty characters, and a world full of remarkable creatures? Join us to hear from Katherine Rundell, author of the bestselling children’s fantasy novel “Impossible Creatures,” as she travels from England to share the next book in the series, “The Poisoned King,” with fans of all things magical. Signing to follow.
Date:2025-09-27
Event
Live! At the Library: An Evening with Mary Roach
Join bestseller Mary Roach, author of “Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers,” among other titles, as she talks about her new book “Replaceable You: Adventures in Human Anatomy.”
Date:2025-09-25
Event
Café Concert Summer Series: DC’s Different Drummers Jazz Band
DC’s Different Drummers bring their Jazz Band ensemble to play iconic songs from the Hammerstein, Mancini, Arnaz, Billy May, Gershwin and Strayhorn collections. This cafe concert will be held in the Great Hall from 6 to 8 p.m.
Date:2025-09-11
Event
25th Library of Congress National Book Festival
Uniting book lovers for 25 years, the Library of Congress National Book Festival will return with conversations with more than 90 authors whose literary genres range from fiction to nonfiction, picture book to biography, poetry to young adult, and more. Updates on plans will be shared at loc.gov/bookfest.
Live! At the Library: Black Literary Heroes with A’Lelia Bundles and Glory Edim
Authors A'Lelia Bundles and Glory Edim will discuss Black women writers and their literary heroes. The event will be moderated by novelist and co-founder of the Hurston/Wright Foundation, Marita Golden. A curated display of Library collections items will be open to the public from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. in Room LJ-113. Program will begin at 6:30 p.m. in Room LJ-119, with a book…
Date:2025-07-17
Event
Juneteenth Family Day with Jewell Parker Rhodes
Join bestselling and award-winning author Jewell Parker Rhodes to hear about her new middle grade novel, "Will's Race for Home," as she goes west in this thrilling 1889 adventure story about a boy and his father who set out to win land during the Oklahoma Land Rush — if they can survive the journey.
Date:2025-06-19
Event
Thomas Mallon on the Early Days of the HIV/AIDS Crisis
Novelist Thomas Mallon will talk about his just-published book, "The Very Heart of It: New York Diaries, 1983-1994" with Library Literary Director Clay Smith. In 2022, The New Yorker published a selection of Mallon's diaries from the early days of the HIV/AIDS crisis. The response was immense. The Library holds Mallon's personal archives, including his diaries, book and article drafts, research files, and correspondence.
Date:2025-06-05
Event
Jonathan Capehart in Conversation with Michele Norris
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Jonathan Capehart comes to the Library to talk about his memoir, “Yet Here I Am: Lessons from a Black Man’s Search for Home.” Capehart will be in conversation with journalist Michele Norris.
Date:2025-06-05
Event
Live! At The Library: Mary Oliver Memorial Reading
For the second annual reading, highlighting emerging poets writing on the natural world, bestselling poet and writer Aimee Nezhukumatathil will read with emerging poets Ariana Benson and Robin Walter. A moderated discussion and book signing will follow.
"The Great Gatsby" at 100: A Public Reading
On the exact 100th anniversary of the publication date of “The Great Gatsby,” the Library of Congress is producing a full reading of the novel, livestreamed from our Thomas Jefferson building on Capitol Hill. Be an old sport and join us in-person or online to experience this classic American novel which entered the public domain in 2021.
Date:2025-04-10
Event
Live! At the Library: Discovery Night
Follow your curiosity at the Library’s next big themed night, Discovery Night! Nonfiction writers Carl Zimmer, Mindy Weisberger and Rebecca Lemov will discuss their brand-news books, about, respectively, the history of discovery about oxygen; zombifying parasitic insects; and the hidden history of hyper-persuasion.
Date:2025-04-03
Event
Live! At the Library: Douglas Kearney with Ron Charles
Douglas Kearney will talk with Washington Post Book Critic Ron Charles about his groundbreaking new collection of visual poems, "I Imagine I Been Science Fiction Always."
Date:2025-02-20
Event
National Ambassador for Young People's Literature Inauguration: Mac Barnett
Event has been rescheduled
Award-winning author Mac Barnett will be inaugurated as the 2025-2026 National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, the ninth writer to hold this position. Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden will lead a conversation with Barnett during the ceremony, which will also include a special appearance by 2023-2024 National Ambassador Meg Medina.
The Hero Party with Dav Pilkey
The Library of Congress will host Dav Pilkey, the No. 1 worldwide bestselling author and acclaimed illustrator of the global phenomenon “Dog Man” on Wednesday, Jan. 29 starting at 5:30 p.m. During this event, Pilkey will discuss his newest book, “Dog Man: Big Jim Begins” and talk about how books bring people together and help kids develop empathy and compassion.
Date:2025-01-29
Event
A Conversation with Brooke Shields
The Library of Congress will host multi-award winner Brooke Shields to discuss her forthcoming book, "Brooke Shields Is Not Allowed to Get Old.” Norah O'Donnell of CBS News will moderate the discussion.
EventLive! At the Library: A Conversation with Robert Pinsky Former three-time U.S. Poet Laureate Robert Pinsky returns to the Library for a discussion of his poetry and criticism with Ron Charles, who writes about books on Substack. A book signing will follow.
EventLive! At the Library: An Evening with Norah O’Donnell Broadcast journalist Norah O'Donnell explores overlooked women who shaped American history in "We the Women: The Hidden Heroes Who Shaped America," her new book chronicling female pioneers from 1776 to the present.
EventLive! At the Library: U.S. Poet Laureate Inaugural Event Celebrating Arthur Sze
EventFamily Day: Author Talk with Raina Telgemeier and Scott McCloud As part of Family Day, join bestselling cocreators Raina Telgemeier and cartoonist Scott McCloud as they talk about their middle grade graphic novel, "The Cartoonists Club." Participate in an exciting interactive program that includes inspiration for coming up with ideas for comics, live drawing and a Q&A, followed by a meet and greet with the authors.
EventLive! At the Library: A Conversation with Kate McKinnon Lovers of comedy, adventure-seekers and kids at heart: come meet Kate McKinnon, award-winning performer and writer who is celebrated globally for her work in film and television. In this Storytime for Adults event, she'll talk about writing her middle grade series, "The Millicent Quibb School of Etiquette for Young Ladies of Mad Science," and the latest entry in the series, "Secrets of the Purple…
EventKatherine Rundell Presents “The Impossible Creatures” Series Do you love a thrilling adventure, feisty characters, and a world full of remarkable creatures? Join us to hear from Katherine Rundell, author of the bestselling children’s fantasy novel “Impossible Creatures,” as she travels from England to share the next book in the series, “The Poisoned King,” with fans of all things magical. Signing to follow.
EventLive! At the Library: An Evening with Mary Roach Join bestseller Mary Roach, author of “Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers,” among other titles, as she talks about her new book “Replaceable You: Adventures in Human Anatomy.”
EventCafé Concert Summer Series: DC’s Different Drummers Jazz Band DC’s Different Drummers bring their Jazz Band ensemble to play iconic songs from the Hammerstein, Mancini, Arnaz, Billy May, Gershwin and Strayhorn collections. This cafe concert will be held in the Great Hall from 6 to 8 p.m.
Event25th Library of Congress National Book Festival Uniting book lovers for 25 years, the Library of Congress National Book Festival will return with conversations with more than 90 authors whose literary genres range from fiction to nonfiction, picture book to biography, poetry to young adult, and more. Updates on plans will be shared at loc.gov/bookfest.
EventLive! At the Library: Ask the Ethicist: A Live Session with Kwame Anthony Appiah Join us for a lively and thought-provoking evening with the 2024 recipient of the John W. Kluge Prize for Achievement in the Study of Humanity and New York Times columnist behind “The Ethicist.”
EventLive! At the Library: Black Literary Heroes with A’Lelia Bundles and Glory Edim Authors A'Lelia Bundles and Glory Edim will discuss Black women writers and their literary heroes. The event will be moderated by novelist and co-founder of the Hurston/Wright Foundation, Marita Golden. A curated display of Library collections items will be open to the public from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. in Room LJ-113. Program will begin at 6:30 p.m. in Room LJ-119, with a book…
EventJuneteenth Family Day with Jewell Parker Rhodes Join bestselling and award-winning author Jewell Parker Rhodes to hear about her new middle grade novel, "Will's Race for Home," as she goes west in this thrilling 1889 adventure story about a boy and his father who set out to win land during the Oklahoma Land Rush — if they can survive the journey.
EventThomas Mallon on the Early Days of the HIV/AIDS Crisis Novelist Thomas Mallon will talk about his just-published book, "The Very Heart of It: New York Diaries, 1983-1994" with Library Literary Director Clay Smith. In 2022, The New Yorker published a selection of Mallon's diaries from the early days of the HIV/AIDS crisis. The response was immense. The Library holds Mallon's personal archives, including his diaries, book and article drafts, research files, and correspondence.
EventJonathan Capehart in Conversation with Michele Norris Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Jonathan Capehart comes to the Library to talk about his memoir, “Yet Here I Am: Lessons from a Black Man’s Search for Home.” Capehart will be in conversation with journalist Michele Norris.
EventLive! At The Library: Mary Oliver Memorial Reading For the second annual reading, highlighting emerging poets writing on the natural world, bestselling poet and writer Aimee Nezhukumatathil will read with emerging poets Ariana Benson and Robin Walter. A moderated discussion and book signing will follow.
EventLive! At the Library: Poet Laureate Closing Event with Ada Limón To conclude her historic two-term, three-year appointment as U.S. Poet Laureate, Ada Limón will give a lecture on the art of poetry. A book signing will follow.
Event"The Great Gatsby" at 100: A Public Reading On the exact 100th anniversary of the publication date of “The Great Gatsby,” the Library of Congress is producing a full reading of the novel, livestreamed from our Thomas Jefferson building on Capitol Hill. Be an old sport and join us in-person or online to experience this classic American novel which entered the public domain in 2021.
EventLive! At the Library: Discovery Night Follow your curiosity at the Library’s next big themed night, Discovery Night! Nonfiction writers Carl Zimmer, Mindy Weisberger and Rebecca Lemov will discuss their brand-news books, about, respectively, the history of discovery about oxygen; zombifying parasitic insects; and the hidden history of hyper-persuasion.
EventLive! At the Library: Douglas Kearney with Ron Charles Douglas Kearney will talk with Washington Post Book Critic Ron Charles about his groundbreaking new collection of visual poems, "I Imagine I Been Science Fiction Always."
EventNational Ambassador for Young People's Literature Inauguration: Mac Barnett
EventLive! At the Library: Story Time for Grownups with Cece Bell, Raúl the Third, Jon Scieszka and National Ambassador of Young People's Literature Award-winning author-illustrators Cece Bell, Raúl the Third and 2008-2009 National Ambassador for Young People Literature Jon Scieszka come to the Library of Congress for adult story time featuring picture books. Join us to learn about the surprising mechanics and artistry of picture books, enjoy stimulating read-alouds and indulge in storytime-themed beverages. Blankets and hot chocolate will be provided.
EventThe Hero Party with Dav Pilkey The Library of Congress will host Dav Pilkey, the No. 1 worldwide bestselling author and acclaimed illustrator of the global phenomenon “Dog Man” on Wednesday, Jan. 29 starting at 5:30 p.m. During this event, Pilkey will discuss his newest book, “Dog Man: Big Jim Begins” and talk about how books bring people together and help kids develop empathy and compassion.
EventA Conversation with Brooke Shields The Library of Congress will host multi-award winner Brooke Shields to discuss her forthcoming book, "Brooke Shields Is Not Allowed to Get Old.” Norah O'Donnell of CBS News will moderate the discussion.
EventMeg Medina's Closing Celebration for National Ambassador for Young People's Literature Meg Medina will close her tenure as the 2023-2024 National Ambassador for Young People's Literature by celebrating her Cuéntame!: Let’s Talk Books platform.