At the Library

Are screens really "rotting" kids' brains, or can technology be a positive force in their development? In this fast and eye-opening session, Dr. Judith Danovitch from the University of Louisville explores:

✔️ How screen time impacts children's brains, thinking, and learning
✔️ Whether educational apps truly work or are just hype
✔️ Practical strategies for parents and educators to promote healthy screen habits

Get the facts on raisin...

In 1981, Black lesbian educator, writer, and activist Audre Lorde declared: “Those of us who stand outside the circle of this society’s definition of acceptable… know that survival is not an academic skill…”

Join Dr. Kaila Story, Associate Professor of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies at UofL, as she delves into Lorde’s powerful legacy. Through a discussion of Lorde’s transformative activism and writings, Dr. Story will explo...

Join us for a captivating dive into Louisville’s Gilded Age with author and historian Daniel Gifford, as he unveils the stories behind his latest book, Benefactors of Posterity: The Founding Era of the Filson Historical Society 1884-1899. From iconic landmarks like Enid Yandell’s Daniel Boone statue to transformative events such as the Southern Exposition and the devastating 1890 tornado, this episode revisits pivotal moments that ...

In this episode, we’re joined by Frederick M. Hess, director of education policy studies at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) and a prominent voice in education reform.

We explore his latest book, Getting Education Right: A Vision for Improving Early Childhood, K–12, and College, which presents a roadmap to revitalizing the American education system. Rooted in fundamental conservative principles, the book examines how we arr...

In this episode, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Cara Fitzpatrick joins us to discuss her eye-opening book, The Death of Public School: How Conservatives Won the War Over Education in America. Together, we dive deep into the history and politics behind the school choice movement and explore how it's reshaping the future of public education.

What’s at stake? With public education in crisis, Fitzpatrick explains how political force...

Episode 4: Evolution and Medicine In the final episode, Dr. Lee Dugatkin takes us on a journey into the world of evolutionary medicine. Understand how evolutionary principles apply to human health and disease, offering insights into conditions like antibiotic resistance and genetic disorders. Discover how the past shapes the future of medicine. Join us for the full series! Visit us at https://www.lfpl.org for more information. ...

Episode 3: The Evolution of Behavior In this third episode, Dr. Lee Dugatkin explores the intricate relationship between evolution and behavior. From altruism to aggression, discover how natural selection influences the actions of living organisms. Dive deep into behavioral evolution, understanding why species act the way they do, and how it all ties back to survival and reproduction. Explore more with us! Visit us at https://www...

Episode 2: How Do We Get New Species? How Do We Lose Species? How do new species emerge, and why do others disappear? In this episode, Dr. Lee Dugatkin dives into the fascinating processes of speciation and extinction. Learn how evolutionary forces drive the creation of new life forms and the unfortunate loss of species. A deep dive into the mechanisms that define biodiversity on Earth. Don't miss the next episode! Visit us a...

Episode 1: Overview & Natural Selection in Operation

In this first episode of our four-week lecture series, Dr. Lee Dugatkin introduces the basics of evolution, focusing on the core concept of natural selection. Discover how this powerful force shapes life on Earth, from molecular biology to complex ecosystems. Gain a clear understanding of how evolutionary biology serves as the foundation of all biological sciences.

This is pa...

Missed the chance to meet Margaret Peterson Haddix in person? No worries! Tune in to hear her engaging discussion at the Louisville Free Public Library. In this special event, hosted in partnership with Carmichael's Kids Bookstore, Haddix—famed author of Shadow Children and The Missing series—talks about her latest book, The Stolen Key, the thrilling conclusion to her Mysteries of Trash and Treasure series.

Whether you'...

Stephen Foster’s 1852 ballad, "My Old Kentucky Home," evokes nostalgia for a peaceful and nurturing home, but for many women in the Gilded Age—especially African American women in Kentucky—home was often a place of violence and oppression. In this compelling episode, PhD candidate Charlene Fletcher takes us deep into her research on Home Ain’t Always Where the Heart Is: Women, Confinement, and Domestic Violence in the ...

Discover the pivotal role of Daniel Coit Gilman, the first president of Johns Hopkins University, in shaping the modern American research university. In this exclusive podcast episode, LFPL and the Filson Historical Society welcome Dr. Michael T. Benson, president of Coastal Carolina University and former president of EKU, for an insightful discussion on his book Daniel Coit Gilman and the Birth of the American Research University.

How often does race shape your everyday interactions? In this thought-provoking episode, Dr. Kalasia S. Ojeh, Assistant Professor at the University of Louisville's Department of Pan-African Studies, unpacks the complexities of race in our society. Through Race and Place: Understanding Race in Louisville, In Kentucky, and in the U.S., Dr. Ojeh provides a clear history and definition of critical race theory, while exploring how r...

Join us at the Western Library as Affrilachian poet Bernard Clay shares powerful readings from his debut collection, English Lit. In this compelling episode, Clay delves into over twenty years of poetic work, offering a vivid portrayal of his upbringing in west Louisville and the intricate layers of Black Appalachian identity.

Listen in as Clay’s words bring to life the rich tapestry of his experiences, blending personal history wi...

Step back into the 19th century and explore the life and legacy of Gideon Shryock, the visionary architect who brought the grandeur of the Greek Revival to Kentucky and the American West. Join co-authors Winfrey P. Blackburn, Jr. and R. Scott Gill as they dive into their groundbreaking book, Gideon Shryock: His Life and Architecture 1802-1880.

In this episode, they share fascinating stories and insights about Shryock’s journey, his...

Carmichael’s Bookstore presents civil rights lawyer, professor, and author Dan Canon. He will discuss his new book, Pleading Out: How Plea Bargaining Creates a Permanent Criminal Class—a blistering critique of America’s assembly-line approach to criminal justice through plea bargaining, and the permanent criminal class it creates. Carmichael's Bookstore: https://www.carmichaelsbookstore.com Visit us at https://www.lfpl.or...