Authors at the Library
An Afternoon with Bob Hill
Sunday, December 15, 2 p.m. • Main Library
Join award-winning journalist Bob Hill for a discussion of his new memoir Out Here: Essays and Encounters from the Heart, Soul, and Left Field. From a storied journalism career spanning nearly six decades, Hill’s essays weave together encounters with icons like Muhammad Ali and Loretta Lynn with intimate glimpses of everyday heroes. This collection not only celebrates the people and places that define America but also reflects Hill’s unique storytelling voice.
Books will be available for purchase from Carmichael's Bookstore and a signing will follow the event.
This event is free and open to the public. Click the Register button below or call (502) 574-1644.
Carmichael’s Kids presents Bad Kitty author & illustrator Nick Bruel
Saturday, January 18, 1 p.m. • Main Library
Come celebrate the 20th anniversary of Bad Kitty and the release of Bad Kitty Party Animal with Carmichael's Bookstore and the Library! Meet author Nick Bruel, get a Bad Kitty drawing in your book, and join in on the birthday festivities! The Animal Care Society will be present with adoptable cats ready to party, and guests will have the opportunity to give back to the kitties in our community.
A book signing will follow, with books provided by Carmichael’s Bookstore.
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:
Welcome to MyLibraryU
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.
Murder, Mystery, and Mayhem in Medieval England
Thursdays, January 9 – 30, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m., Main Library
On March 18, 978, the young King Edward was dragged from his horse and stabbed to death by servants of his stepmother. On December 29, 1170, four knights slew Archbishop Thomas Becket at the altar of Canterbury Cathedral after King Henry II called for someone to rid him of “this troublesome priest.” No crime captures the imagination quite like murder, and the people of Medieval England were just as fascinated by tales of mystery and violence as we are today.
In this class, Dr. Andrew Rabin (University of Louisville) will delve into some of the Middle Ages’ most famous murders and the true stories behind them, offering attendees a deeper understanding of the law, literature, and culture of this fascinating period in history.
This 4-week program is presented by MyLibraryU and is free and open to the public. Registration is requested online below or by calling (502) 574-1623.
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.
Brainrot or Not? Raising Kids in the Digital Age
Tuesday, December 3, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m., Main Library
Is technology rewiring children's brains? Do educational apps work? How much screen time is too much? In this fast class, Dr. Judith Danovitch will discuss what current research says about how screen time affects children's thinking and learning, and how caregivers and educators can use technology in ways that support children's healthy development.
This program is presented by MyLibraryU and is free and open to the public. Registration is requested online or by calling (502) 574-1623.
BlatinX: Uruguay, with Dr. Thomas Edison
Tuesday, February 18, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m., Main Library
Uruguay is a South American nation with a rich cultural heritage that is unknown outside the region. During this innovative and experiential presentation, Dr. Thomas Wayne Edison, a 2025 Fulbright Scholar, will discuss the Black community of Uruguay and how it is represented in the nation's history, poetry, and country's national symbol: Candombe music.
This program is presented by MyLibraryU and is free and open to the public. Registration is requested online or by calling (502) 574-1623.
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
Applications for this round of COLLIDER artists are closed. The next round of applications will be accepted in March 2025.
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.
December
Haley Banks - Fiber Artist
Haley Banks is a fiber artist and has crocheted and knitted for over 13 years. A graduate of UofL, Haley is now a full-time fiber artist that specializes in both physical fiber products and digital patterns within her crochet brands. She works to connect with small businesses in the area to advocate for local women-owned businesses in the community and loves to teach others to create. Haley states that there is no other place like Louisville when it comes to artists and makers, and is thankful to live in a place that provides abundant inspiration and support for creators like herself.
Classes:
- Saturday, December 7, 11:00 a.m. Introduction to Crochet **CLASS IS FULL**
- Saturday, December 14, 11:00 a.m. Crochet Blooms: Intermediate Crochet Class
- Saturday, December 21, 11:30 a.m. Pom Pom Earrings: Craft Your Own Statement Accessories
January
Linda Erzinger - Sculptor and Multi Media Artist
Linda Erzinger is a Sculptor and Multi Media Artist. Her work springs from an interest in mass consumerism and waste, and women’s issues. Her art has grown past more traditional mediums of murals, photography and shadow boxes to the making of large scale, mixed media sculptures created with items we humans leave behind. Her work is rooted in an exploration of cycles, circles, connection and disconnection, and she seeks to prompt conversations about consumer habits while building social consciousness and environmental awareness.
Learn more about her work at www.lindaerzinger.com
Classes:
- Tuesday, January 7, 4:00 p.m. Collaborative Recycled Sculpture Playshop
- Tuesday, January 14, 4:00 p.m. Repurposed Window Mosaic Playshop
- Tuesday, January 21, 4:00 p.m. Reclaimed Plastic- Basket Weaving Workshop
Registration is required, please email Liz.Magee@lfpl.org
February
Dr. Jabani Bennett - Visual Artist, Cultural Equity Planner & Educator
Dr. Jabani Bennett (she / they) is an interdisciplinary artist, educator and cultural strategist committed to increased visibility for underrepresented creative professionals. She takes an asset-based approach to community development for systemic change in the arts. Her latest project is leading the Center for Health Equity CREATE arts directory project - a citywide initiative for underserved arts professionals. Dr. Bennett also recently served as the first Black woman and openly queer director of UofL’s Women’s Center.
Dr. Bennett’s vibrant mixed media collage portraits aim to deconstruct the historical narratives about brown skinned bodies with processes that nurture strength and inner peace. She is excited to share her love of visual storytelling and equity based leadership in art practices.
Follow Dr. Bennett at www.instagram.com/dr.jabani
Classes:
- Saturday, February 15, 10:30 a.m. Designing Arts Futures: Reimagining Creative Placemaking for Louisville, Kentucky
- Monday, February 24, 1:00 p.m. Art as Care - Collage Making for Grief and Loss
- Wednesday, February 26, 12:30 p.m. Dance! Sing! Speak! Collage Making! For Radical Joy - An Interdisciplinary Approach to Art Making & Family Fun!
Registration is required, please email Liz.Magee@lfpl.org
March
Amber Weiand - Balloon Artist
Amber Weiand is a balloon artist and owner of Fossi Lou Balloons. After first twisting balloons at age 10, Amber rediscovered this long buried skill in 2019, and soon became a professional balloon artist after attending the Twist and Shout international balloon twisting convention when it came to Louisville.
Amber is excited to share her passion for balloons with Library patrons, and eager to introduce the world to how amazing, challenging, and multi-faceted the art form of balloons can be. See her work at www.fossilouballoons.com
April
Shauntrice Martin - Sculptor/Photographer
Shauntrice Martin is a mother, curator, and artist living in Kentucky. Her work explores identity, and antiquity through textile, sculpture, and photography, and has been featured at the Speed Art Museum, Kennedy Center, and Auburn Avenue Research Library on African American Culture & History. You can see her work at www.chahtanoir.org
In the summer of 2024 Shauntrice curated the Black Future Fest, a celebration of Black art & culture in Louisville. She also created the arts equity program OKIKE that has helped Black artists earn more than $500K in revenue since its creation. Follow her journey on social media www.instagram.com/blackartistsgetpaid/ and on her website: www.BlackArtistsGetPaid.com.
May
Norma Drish - Visual Artist/Teaching Artist
Norma Drish is a self-taught artist based in Louisville’s Southend, where she has created art for over 30 years. She is a teaching artist of fiber arts at The Little Loomhouse, as well as a Children’s Fine Arts teacher at LVA. Her work has shown at The Little Loomhouse, the Kentucky Center for African American Heritage, Cane Roots Art Gallery in St. Croix, and the Speed Art Museum.
Norma creates portraits that capture the lives and cultures of those around her, exploring themes of human connection and identity. Her recent experience as the first plein-air artist-in-residence at The Little Loomhouse sparked a fascination with the delicate balance of nature and led to pressed flower work. She weaves together community engagement and the beauty of nature, creating multimedia pieces that incorporate natural fibers and elements from nature. See her work at www.facebook.com/normadrishart
June
Thomas Freese - Storyteller
Thomas Freese is an accomplished artist, storyteller, and author, with 12 books and 200 articles on his CV. His background as an art therapist is key to the educational and entertaining story programs he performs in schools, libraries, churches, assisted living, corporate and private parties. He is a member of the Kentucky Storytelling Association and works with Kentucky Arts Council, Poetry Out Loud and Arts for All grants to bring his storytelling to schools around Kentucky.
For more information on his books and visual art, visit www.thomaslfreese.com.
Online 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*.
Note: 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.
Treehouse
Treehouse is an online, self-paced learning platform that teaches you how to design and develop websites or mobile apps. Classes include coding languages like HTML, Javascript, PHP, Python, Ruby and much more.
Learning with Treehouse is project-based, so you learn by doing with access to over 1,300 videos. Projects are taught through a combination of short videos, code challenges, and quizzes to maximize engagement. You keep track of your accomplishments through gamification - earning badges to mark your progress.
Access to Treehouse is free with your library card and good for 21 days. At the end of the 21 days, access will automatically expire—much like an eBook. You are welcome to re-register immediately. If a spot is available, your access will be reactivated. If not, you will be added to a waiting list and notified once a spot is available.
LearningExpress
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.
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.
Language Learning
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
Pimsleur Language Programs are available as downloadable audiobooks in Overdrive.
Podcasts
Welcome to LFPL's "At the Library" series, an ongoing podcast featuring author talks, programs, and events at the Louisville Free Public Library.
