Featuring
Jesmyn Ward | Traci Thomas | Edwidge Danticat |WORDTheatre
Yuval Sharon | Alex Ross | Latino Poetry: Places We Call Home
André Aciman | Todd Purdum | Elaina Plott Calabro | Adam
Nagourney | Brianna Tucker| Susan Minot | Griffin Dunne
@aloudla #readthinkaloud
ALOUD is the Library Foundation of Los Angeles series of bold, powerful programs that has presented over 1,200 public programs featuring a range of authors, scientists, thinkers, artists, and more. The critically acclaimed ALOUD series engages Angelenos in critical civic and cultural discourse, inspiring lifelong learning and exploring. Free and open to the public, programs will continue to evolve as we experiment, take risks, and try new ideas that are informed by the changing world and the audience we serve.
If you have questions regarding your reservations or upcoming ALOUD programs, please contact us at: programs@lfla.org.
For more than 30 years, the Library Foundation of Los Angeles has partnered with the Los Angeles Public Library in its effort to provide all 3.8 million Angelenos with equitable access to thousands of free programs, resources, and services. Through fundraising, advocacy, and programming, the Library Foundation strengthens the library’s commitment to educate and empower every individual in our city’s diverse communities. At the Foundation, we are committed to keeping the library thriving for generations to come and to providing all Angelenos with the tools to enrich and improve their lives. For more information, please visit lfla.org.
Jessica Strand Senior Director of Programming & Strategic Engagement, ALOUD Series Curator
For me, it’s always been important to work somewhere where culture is available to everyone. It’s a mission that I’ve consistently searched for. When I began with LFLA, I knew this was a place where I could create opportunities for people to share their stories and serve as an outlet for our community.
ALOUD encapsulates quality programming and ideas to the public, with most of these resources being free. We want our events to be as accessible as possible because these are essential, important assets for LA. ALOUD is all about providing access to culture as easily as we can to enrich the people in our area.
Development Officer
Chief Financial & Operating Officer
Programs Coordinator, ALOUD
Parking Validation
Don’t forget to validate your parking ticket!
Patrons can obtain validation upon presenting a valid library card at the Central Library's Information Desk (1st floor) BEFORE the program begins.
Parking Validation Hours:
Monday - Thursday until 8:00 pm
Friday - Sunday until 5:00pm
Check-in will start 45 minutes before the event in the hallway just outside the Mark Taper Auditorium.
When you arrive, please let our staff know your name and show them your ticket. They will check you in and give you a wristband to wear.
If you're on standby, you'll receive a first-come, first-served ticket and will need to wait until all RSVP'd guests have entered before you can join us. We appreciate your understanding!
Wednesday, September 4 | 7:00 pm Let Us Descend: A Novel in conversation with Traci Thomas Jesmyn Ward
Wednesday, October 30 | 7:00 pm Roman Year: A Memoir in conversation with David Ulin André Aciman
Purchase Tickets Zipper Hall at Colburn School Tuesday, October 1 | 7:00 pm The Road is Good: How A Mother’s Strength Became A Daughter’s Purpose Uzo Aduba
Purchase Tickets Palace Theatre Friday, October 25 | 7:30 pm Let Us Descend: A Novel in conversation with George Saunders Jenny Slate
Monday, September 9 | 7:00 pm We’re Alone in conversation with Robin Coste Lewis Edwidge Danticat
Thursday, November 14 | 7:00 pm Where Does Democracy Go From Here Todd Purdum with Elaina Plott Calabro, Adam Nagourney, and others
Purchase Tickets UCLA Nimoy Theater Sunday, October 6 | 3:00 pm A New Philosophy of Opera in conversation with Alex Ross Yuval Sharon
Sunday, September 22 | 3:00 pm ALOUD IN REVUE: BANNED BOOKS Performances by WORDTheatre
Wednesday, November 2
| 7:00 pm Do
Saturday, October 19 | 11:00 am Latino Poetry: Places We Call Home Cynthia Gu
, Féi
As part of our commitment to fostering honest and diverse conversations, please be aware that the topics discussed at events may delve into complex or sensitive issues, varying by event. We understand that certain themes may resonate differently for each individual, and we encourage you to approach these conversations with an open heart and mind.
If you have any questions or need additional information about the specific themes of any event, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our team. We are here to support your experience with compassion and transparency. Thank you for being part of these conversations.
As we kick off the Fall season, we look forward to hosting our biennial fundraiser, the Literary Awards, later this month!
Every two years, our vibrant community comes together to celebrate our support of the lifechanging mission of the Los Angeles Public Library and two distinguished honorees. This month, we have the honor of presenting the Literary Award to Pulitzer Prize-winning author Elizabeth Strout and the Light of Learning Award to long-time LFLA ambassadors Ela and Nikhil Jhaveri.
Congratulations to our honoree Elizabeth Strout whose latest novel, Tell Me Everything, was recently selected by Oprah Winfrey as her book club pick!
Hosted by 2024 Literary Awards Emcee Alex Cohen
Central Library, Getty Gallery September 14, 2024 - May 11, 2025
No Prior Art is now open to the public and we welcome you to come and explore! Part of PST ART: Art & Science Collide initiative, the show explores the intersection of art, science, and invention. From historic artifacts to contemporary artworks, this project features an eclectic range of stories that explore the nature of human creativity and celebrate the inventive spirit.
Season 9: July 1, 2024 - May 31, 2025
LA Made is a cultural series featuring free music, dance, theater, and conversations with local entertainers at libraries throughout the City.
ALOUD welcomes American Book Award and National Book Critics Circle Award winner Edwidge Danticat with her new collection of essays We’re Alone. Danticat will discuss her beautiful, varied, and complex collection with celebrated poet, writer, and former Poet Laureate of Los Angeles, Robin Coste Lewis. We’re Alone includes personal narrative and reportage, and explores several abiding themes: environmental catastrophe, the traumas of colonialism, motherhood, and the complexities of resilience.
Jesmyn Ward in conversation with Traci Thomas
Join us for a special evening with two-time National Book Award Winner Jesmyn Ward in conversation with Traci Thomas, creator and host of the criticallyacclaimed literary podcast The Stacks. Ward returns to the ALOUD stage to discuss her raw, transcendent novel Let Us Descend. Her work has garnered considerable attention both with critics and audiences alike and Let us Descend is no exception—instantly a New York Times bestseller, chosen as an Oprah Winfrey Book Club book, and named one of the best books of 2023 by The New Yorker, Washington Post, and Vanity Fair, among others.
with WORDTheatre
Co-presented by Library Foundation of Los Angeles and WORDTheatre Curated, Produced & Directed by Cedering Fox, WORDTheatre.
Kick off national Banned Books Week with a very special afternoon featuring actors performing selections from a few of the more than 4,000 books that have been banned in our country from public and school libraries.
The Road Is Good: How a Mother's Strength Became a Daughter's Purpose
with Uzo Aduba
Enjoy a unique evening with three-time Emmy-winning actress Uzo Aduba (Orange Is the New Black) as she talks about her powerful memoir, The Road is Good: How a Mother’s Strength Became a Daughter’s Purpose. The Road Is Good is a timely memoir of Black immigrant identity, the story of an unforgettable matriarch, and a unique coming-of-age story.
From the moment a child is born, they begin developing literacy skills to interpret the world around them. We Read Together is the Los Angeles Public Library’s early-learning initiative that gives all families direct access to resources and programming to help children become school-ready and develop a lifelong love of reading and learning. The initiative takes place at Central Library and 72 neighborhood libraries across the city.
Yuval Sharon in conversation with Alex Ross
Don’t miss this lively conversation with the visionary opera director Yuval Sharon and The New Yorker’s classical music critic Alex Ross as they discuss Sharon’s engaging new book A New Philosophy of Opera.
One of the world’s most innovative opera impresarios, Yuval Sharon disrupts conventions by urging the performance of opera in “non-spaces” like parking lots; amplifying voices; and even performing classic works in reverse order. This book gives everyone— including those not familiar with opera—a passionate, accessible take on the world of opera.
with Jenny Slate
Spend an evening of nearly impossible-to-describe strangeness, whimsy, and hilarity with the one and only, Jenny Slate. As she reads you pieces from LIFEFORM – her brand new book of essays – join Jenny on a journey through all of the relatable phases of life from heartbreak to true love to pregnancy, parenthood, not to mention all of the tiny, odd details that make up a life. The actor, comedian, and New York Times bestselling author will host an evening complete with a live reading, a moderated conversation, and an audience Q&A.
This jubilant program of Latin American poetry and performance will kick off the annual Gloria Molina Grand Park’s Downtown Día de los Muertos. Celebrating the publication of Latino Poetry: The Library of America Anthology—a groundbreaking new Library of America anthology edited by Rigoberto González.
Featuring poets William Archila, Angela Aguirre, Cynthia Guardado, Luis Rodriguez, Yesika Salgado, and Vanessa Angélica Villarreal and musical performances by Ceci Bastida, Indigital Productions, Mariachi Arco-Iris de Los Angeles, Que Madre, and San Cha.
Summer with the Library offers free educational programming, author and illustrator talks, and performances to inspire learning, community, imagination, and creativity. Librarians giveaway thousands of free books to youth who sign up for the Summer Reading Challenge. The initiative promotes LAPL’s vast free resources for people of all ages and abilities.
André Aciman in conversation with David Ulin
New York Times and worldwide bestselling author of Call Me by Your Name, André Aciman comes to the ALOUD stage for the first time. Aciman will discuss his new book Roman Year with editor, book critic, and novelist David Ulin.
Roman Year is a deeply romantic coming-of-age memoir of Aciman’s time in Rome while on the cusp of adulthood, after his family is expelled from Egypt.
Todd Purdum, with guests Elaina Plott Calabro, Adam
A panel discussion moderated by veteran journalist and
We’ve been questioning the state of our democracy for years and though we have heard numerous voices speak to the countless issues facing our country, it is rare to hear from all sides in a thoughtful, measured conversation where we, the people, are encouraged to participate. This important post-election discussion is a must for those concerned and invested in learning and understanding our country at this moment in time. This timely conversation brings together seasoned political strategists, journalists, and academics to discuss the pressing question — “Where is our Democracy Now?”
Susan Minot and Griffin Dunne
Enjoy an intimate conversation between the award-winning novelist, poet, playwright, and screenwriter Susan Minot and actor, director, and producer Griffin Dunne. These two close friends will discuss their books. Minot’s engrossing new novel, Don’t Be A Stranger and Griffin Dunne’s poignant memoir, The Friday Afternoon Club.
The Library Store is a non-profit gift shop located inside the historic Los Angeles Central Library. We are part of the Library Foundation of Los Angeles, which supports the Los Angeles Public Library. We offer an eclectic collection of books, tees, totes, greeting cards, keepsakes and much more!
Much of our LAPL merchandise is designed in-house, and our inventory is sourced from a variety of vendors and small businesses, including local artists as well as cause-related organizations, making us a favorite destination in Downtown L.A. for gifts and unique finds. We look forward to seeing you in-store!
Make a Donation
Volunteer with ALOUD and help bring inspiring conversations to a live public audience! Your support helps our team put together cultural enriching programs through live events featuring celebrated authors, artists, and thinkers.
Join a community of annual supporters who ensure the Los Angeles Public Library continually has the resources needed to serve millions of children, teens, and adults across Los Angeles. Library Members are the core of our fundraising community.
Your gift to the Library Foundation of Los Angeles provides critical support to the Los Angeles Public Library resulting in free programs, resources, and services available to the millions of adults, children, and youth of Los Angeles.
Support the Library Foundation by volunteering, becoming a member, or making a donation. Your involvement helps bring enriching programs, resources, and services to the Los Angeles Public Library community. lfla.org/support-us/
