Lifelong Learning

Authors at the Library

Crowd of people

 

PLEASE NOTE: The Main Library is undergoing renovations and author program venues are temporarily shifting to other locations. Double-check the locations of these events before registering.

  


Additional Author Events

Visit our calendar to discover exciting author events happening at our branches this month!

 


The Craig Buthod Author Series - named in honor of former library director Craig Buthod - is an endowed library program that brings award-winning and New York Times bestselling authors to Louisville. Previously called Authors at the Library, the series was endowed in 2015 by donors to the Library Foundation. 

To make a gift to the Craig Buthod Author Series endowment:

 Donate to the Library

Welcome to MyLibraryU

 

Speaker addressing a crowd

Whether you have been out of school for a while and miss the learning experience, or you're thinking of starting college or returning to finish your degree, LFPL's MyLibraryU wants to connect you to new, free learning opportunities.

Short Course at the Library

LFPL's Short Courses are taught like real college courses by professors and experts in their fields. Some will require reading and encourage field trips. All will be free and open to anyone with no academic background required.

Lee Dugatkin

Thomas Jefferson and Natural History, with Dr. Lee Dugatkin

Thursdays, Jun. 25 - July 16, 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM, South Central Regional Library

From an argument with the world’s leading natural historian, to his role in the first museum in the United States, his involvement in a 1792 expedition West that would have made Lewis and Clark's journey an historical footnote, and his obsessions with Hessian flies - Dr. Lee Dugatkin will explore Thomas Jefferson’s important role in early American natural history in this four-week Short Course.

This program is presented by MyLibraryU and is free and open to the public. Registration is requested online or by calling (502) 574-1623.

Register for event

 


Fast Classes at the Library

LFPL's Fast Classes are one-time educational events taught by local experts. Some explore current events, literature, and science; others teach practical skills and history.

 

The World of Martha Washington

Tues., Jul. 28, 6 PM – 7:30 PM, St. Matthews Library

Although in recent years the "Founding Mothers" have been well represented in popular history, the first, First Lady, Martha Washington, is often absent. As the United States celebrates the 250th Anniversary of its founding, Martha Washington’s life story and legacy demonstrate the complexity of identity during the eighteenth-century. By analyzing Washington as a wife, mother, businesswoman, enslaver and reluctant politician we can gain a better understanding of women's experiences during the revolutionary and founding eras.

This MyLibraryU Fast Class will be presented by Dr. Laura Ping, Assistant Professor of History at Bellarmine University.

This program is presented by MyLibraryU and is free and open to the public. Registration is requested online or by calling (502) 574-1623.

Register for event

 


Missed a Fast Class or a Short Course?

Visit our Podcast page to see if the class or author event that you missed is available as a podcast.

COLLIDER Artist-in-Residence Program

COLLIDER header

 

 

 

COLLIDER, South Central Regional Library’s paid artist-in-residence program, connects the public with art and the people who create it. Generous funding from Louisville Metro Council makes the COLLIDER Artist-In-Residence program possible.

Scroll down to see current and upcoming artists, or view a list of our previous COLLIDER artists.

Applications are currently closed. The next round of COLLIDER applications will open September 1, 2026.


June

Hannah Johnston - Ceramicist/Sculptor

Hannah Johnston

Hannah Johnston is a Louisville-based artist whose work combines ceramics, heirloom quilt patterns, and meaningful objects handed down through generations. Inspired by the trinkets and keepsakes people save, she transforms these objects into artworks that explore memory, connection, and the enduring stories they carry. Her practice emphasizes pattern, form, and reinterpreting inherited materials into pieces that celebrate family history, sentiment, and the ways objects hold personal and collective meaning. In addition to her studio practice, she teaches ceramics throughout the community. During her residency, Hannah will offer workshops and classes that invite participants to engage with creativity and storytelling through hands-on work.

Classes:

Registration is required.


July

Berkley Collins - Crochet Artist

Berkley Collins

Berkley Collins is a Crochet Artist, instructor, and the creator of Fox In The Wood. Berkley used personal setbacks as a launching pad to bring her art to the world, and found purpose and passion in making affordable art and art education accessible to the community. “Life feels like magic again, and I want to pass that feeling on to as many people as possible. I believe everyone has the ability to crochet, and together, we can do amazing things.”

Classes:

Registration is required.


August

Isabelle Ballard - Crochet Artist

Isabelle Ballard

Isabelle Ballard is a Kentucky-based painter whose work uses animals and natural settings to explore emotion, identity, and memory. Influenced by her time spent living in Costa Rica, her paintings invite viewers to see the natural world as a reflection of human experience. She lives and works in Danville, Kentucky.

Classes:

Registration is required.

Chef-in-Residence

Yes, Chef! Northeast Regional Library Chef-in-Residence Program

 

 

 

Yes, Chef!, Northeast Regional Library’s paid Chef-in-Residence program, connects the public with chefs, bakers, food creators, culinary artists, or anyone passionate about sharing their love of cooking with the community. Residencies include workshops, demonstrations, and community engagement. 

View our current list of chefs below or see our past presenters.


The Library’s Chef-in-Residence is made possible through grant funding from the City of Lyndon.

city of Lyndon logo

 

 

 

 


June

Kourtnee Withers

Kourtnee Withers

Chef Kourtnee Withers is a Louisville native, proud Sullivan University graduate, and owner of Mo’at Luxury Private Dining. At 25, she has built a business centered on bringing elegant, imaginative meals directly to clients seeking a personalized and memorable dining experience. Passionate about community and culinary education, Kourtnee loves working with kids and inspiring others to find joy and confidence in the kitchen. She believes cooking should be fun, expressive, and far less intimidating than it seems.

Classes:

  • Friday, June 5, 2 PM: Bread & Butter - Homerun Classics  REGISTER
  • Sunday, June 14, 2 PM: Film & Fork - The Princess & the Frog  REGISTER
  • Monday, June 22, 6 PM: Pantry Magic - Reducing Waste One Recipe at a Time  REGISTER

Registration is required to attend Yes, Chef! in-person classes.
 


 

Online Learning

Person at a desk learning

 

BingePass

Discover a world of learning with BingePass! Enjoy seven days of free access to top educational platforms like The Great Courses, Curiosity Stream, Creativebug, Craftsy, Fret Zealot, and more. From documentaries and art classes to music lessons and DIY tutorials, explore at your own pace with your library card.

 

Start Learning


 

BrainFuse

Whether you are going back to school, switching jobs, or preparing for the US Citizenship Test, BrainFuse's Adult Learning Center is here to help. Resources include live tutoring and a library of practice tests.

 

Start Learning

 


 

 

LearningExpress Library

 

LearningExpress Library helps you prepare for academic and professional exams (ACT, SAT, GED, GRE, LSAT, Postal Exam, CDL, Nursing, Real Estate, etc.), get resume writing help, and search for jobs and internships.

 

Start Learning

 


 

LinkedIn Learning

 LinkedIn Learning (formerly Lynda.com) is a premier online learning resource offering more than 16,000 courses available in 7 different languages covering technical skills, creative techniques, business strategies, and more - free with your library card*.

App users: If you are using the LinkedIn Learning app, you will need to enter louisvillefreepubliclibrary when it asks for a Library ID during setup.

Start Learning

 

*Library cards must be in good standing to access all library services, including LinkedIn Learning. Cards in good standing will have an account balance under $10 and current registration information.

Language Learning

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In-Person Language Learning

Looking for in-person language learning resources? Find a program on our calendar.

Transparent Language

Explore a new language at the library, at home, or on the go using any Internet-connected device. Available in 110+ languages, including ESL/ELL.

Learn a Language


Pimsleur Language Programs

Learn a new language the natural way with Pimsleur! These audio-based lessons help you speak and understand your chosen language quickly—perfect for learning on the go, anytime, anywhere.

Pimsleur Language Programs are available as downloadable audiobooks in Overdrive.

Podcasts

Person listening to a audio from a tablet

Welcome to LFPL's "At the Library" series, an ongoing podcast featuring author talks, programs, and events at the Louisville Free Public Library.