Lifelong Learning

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.

Spalding University presents Irene Sankoff and David Hein, creators of the hit Broadway musical Come From Away

Tuesday, November 11, 6 PM - 7:30 PM, 16th-floor Gallery of the Brown Hotel, 335 W. Broadway

Come From Away is based on true events in the small town of Gander, in Newfoundland, Canada. During and immediately after the 9/11 attacks on the United States, 38 commercial aircraft with nearly 7,000 passengers aboard were ordered to land at Gander’s airport. The residents of Gander (population at the time: 11,254) scrambled to feed, shelter, and, most importantly, welcome thousands of passengers. The compassion and kindness of the citizens of Gander and their generosity toward stranded passengers created enduring friendships and connections among people who had been complete strangers.

Sankoff and Hein, who wrote the book, music, and lyrics for the award-winning musical, will give a public presentation in the 16th-floor Gallery of the Brown Hotel, 335 W. Broadway. The free event is presented by the Naslund-Mann Graduate School of Writing and the Louisville Free Public Library.

This program is free and open to the public. Registration is requested online or by calling (502) 574-1644. A book signing will follow, with books provided by Carmichael’s Bookstore.

Carmichael’s Bookstore presents Author Mark Z. Danielewski

Tuesday, December 9, 6:30 PM, South Central Regional Library, 7300 Jefferson Blvd.

Mark Z. Danielewski, internationally bestselling author of House of Leaves, will visit South Central Regional Library for a discussion of his latest book, Tom’s Crossing, a magisterial, page-turning epic about two friends determined to rescue a pair of horses set for slaughter. 

Note: Only books purchased at the event will be eligible for the book signing that will follow the discussion.

This program is free and open to the public. Registration is requested online or by calling (502) 574-1644. 

Additional Author Events

Check out 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:

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.

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.

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, South Central Regional Library’s paid artist-in-residence program, connects the public with art and the people who create it. Generous funding from Councilwoman Madonna Flood 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 March 1, 2026.

November

Lakisha Morris - Cake Artist

Lakisha Morris is the owner of Pink Batter Cake Studio where she creates beautiful, delicious cakes and more. She cultivates community and connection through workshops at Evolve 502 and pop-up sites around Louisville. She is committed to showing participants that everyone is an artist, and that there are endless possiblities for creativity in the kitchen and beyond. 

See Lakisha's work at www.PinkBatterCakeStudio.com 

Classes:

• Saturday, November 8, 12 p.m. The Art of Buttercream **CLASS FULL**
• Friday, November 14, 12 p.m. Illusion Cakes: Is it Cake?
• Monday, November 17, 12 p.m. Cake as Canvas

Registration is required, please email Liz.Magee@lfpl.org

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December

Saw Peep Pan-Asian Ensemble - Music & Asian Dance

Kentuckiana based Saw Peep Pan-Asian Ensemble performs intercultural music, dance, and puppetry from South and Southeast Asia, the Silk Road, and Central Asia. The group has been featured performers on WUOL's New Lens concert series, was awarded a Fund For the Arts Community Mini-Grant for its Hanuman Shadow Puppet performance, and has been featured as performers at Asian themed events and festivals like the Louisville Orchestra's Lunar New Year event, the Crane House's Asian Night Markets, the Louisville Filipino American Festival, and After Hours at the Speed Museum.

Saw Peep Pan-Asian Ensemble was founded and is directed by Jon Silpayamanant, an intercultural multi-instrumentalist, composer, music educator and researcher. Jon has led artist residencies and clinics throughout the states of Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, and Ohio and has worked regularly with Louisville’s immigrant and refugee populations through various community organizations and other performing ensembles. 

The name, Saw Peep (ซอปี๊บ), is from a type of bowed fiddle made of a large metal can in the Isan region in Northeast Thailand where artistic director, Jon Silpayamanant, was born.

Learn more at www.sawpeep.com

Classes:

• Sunday, December 7, 2 p.m. Asian Group Folk Dance Workshop
• Sunday, December 14, 2 p.m. Shadow Puppet Workshop
• Saturday, December 20, 2 p.m. Saw Peep Open Rehearsal and Q&A
• Sunday, December 28, 2 p.m. Shadow Puppets and the Music of Asia Performance

Registration is required, please email Liz.Magee@lfpl.org

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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.

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.

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 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.

*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.

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.

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.

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