LIVE from NYPL: Past Programs

Welcome to the LIVE from NYPL archive. We encourage you to explore our vast library of past programs dating back to 2005.

Visit the LIVE from NYPL homepage to check out upcoming events and connect with us.

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Sasha Issenberg headshot Sasha Issenberg © Amy Levin
Maggie Haberman headshot Courtesy Maggie Haberman

Sasha Issenberg with Maggie Haberman: The Lie Detectives

Monday, March 18, 2024, 7 - 8 PM
On the eve of primaries in Florida, Ohio, and Arizona, Issenberg speaks with the New York Times' senior political correspondent about how political campaigns can fight back against disinformation.Read More ›
The Library After Hours written on a solid dark teal background.

The Library After Hours: Arctic Edition

Friday, March 15, 2024, 7 - 10 PM
Join us at the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building for the city’s most cerebral happy hour.Read More ›
Lyn Slater headshot Lyn Slater © Calvin Lom
Chloé Cooper Jones headshot Chloé Cooper Jones © Matty Davis

Lyn Slater with Chloé Cooper Jones: How to Be Old

Tuesday, March 12, 2024, 7 - 8 PM
The fashion and culture influencer reflects on life in her 60s; a sometimes glamorous, sometimes turbulent decade.Read More ›
Ruha Benjamin headshot Ruha Benjamin © Cyndi Shattuck
Rujeko Hockley headshot Rujeko Hockley © Jody Rogac

Ruha Benjamin with Rujeko Hockley: Imagination

Monday, March 4, 2024, 7 - 8 PM
Benjamin examines the power of our imagination to challenge systems of oppression and to create a world in which everyone can thrive.Read More ›
Christian McBride headshot Christian McBride © Ebru Yildiz
Nelson George headshot Courtesy Nelson George

Christian McBride with Nelson George: The Movement Revisited

Monday, February 26, 2024, 7 - 8 PM
The Grammy-winning bassist and composer speaks on his work at the intersection of art and advocacy.Read More ›
Dawoud Bey headshot Dawoud Bey © Frank Ishman
Siddhartha Mitter headshot Siddhartha Mitter © Tom Saater

Dawoud Bey with Siddhartha Mitter: Elegy

Wednesday, February 21, 2024, 7 - 8 PM
The photographer discusses his searches for “the unseen Black presence” among the landscapes of the United States.Read More ›
Álvaro Enrigue headshot Álvaro Enrigue © Javier Narvaez
Marie Arana headshot Courtesy Marie Arana

Álvaro Enrigue with Marie Arana: You Dreamed of Empires

Tuesday, February 6, 2024, 7 - 8 PM
The author of Sudden Death returns with a new novel that reimagines the destinies of Tenochtitlan.Read More ›
Heather Cox Richardson headshot Heather Cox Richardson © Mimsy Moller
Andrew Delbanco headshot Courtesy Andrew Delbanco

Heather Cox Richardson with Andrew Delbanco: Democracy Awakening

Thursday, February 1, 2024, 7 - 8 PM
The historian and author kicks off LIVE from NYPL in 2024 with a discussion on the precarious past and future of American democracy.Read More ›
The Library After Hours

The Library After Hours: Uncensored

Friday, December 15, 2023, 7 - 10 PM
Join us at the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building for the city’s most cerebral happy hour.Read More ›
Judy Grahn headshot Courtesy Judy Grahn
Julie R. Enszer headshot Julie R. Enszer © Kim Sherrill
JP Howard headshot JP Howard © Nívea Castro
Alicia Mountain headshot Alicia Mountain © Emma Quaytman

Lesbian Poetic Traditions: Judy Grahn, Julie R. Enszer, JP Howard, and Alicia Mountain

Wednesday, December 6, 2023, 7 - 8 PM
The iconic feminist poet Judy Grahn re-explores the traditions of lesbian poetry from Sappho to Pat Parker and beyond. Read More ›
Kliph Nesteroff headshot Kliph Nesteroff by Drew Friedman
Marc Maron headshot Marc Maron by Drew Friedman

Outrageous: Kliph Nesteroff with Marc Maron

Wednesday, November 29, 2023, 7 - 8 PM
The historian of modern comedy speaks with the standup and WTF host about his expansive new history of showbiz and the culture wars. Read More ›
Sheila Nevins headshot Courtesy Sheila Nevins
Jonathan Friedman headshot Courtesy Jonathan Friedman
Nikki Giovanni headshot Courtesy Nikki Giovanni
Grace Linn headshot Courtesy Grace Linn
Peter Parnell headshot Courtesy Peter Parnell
Jill Twiss headshot Courtesy Jill Twiss

The ABCs of Book Banning with Sheila Nevins, Jonathan Friedman, Nikki Giovanni, Grace Linn, Peter Parnell & Jill Twiss

Tuesday, November 28, 2023, 7 - 8 PM
Join producer and director Sheila Nevins for a screening of her new documentary short that gives voice to those most impacted by today’s waves of book banning: kids.Read More ›
Hon. Carolyn B. Maloney headshot Courtesy Hon. Carolyn B. Maloney
Christian F. Nunes headshot Courtesy Christian F. Nunes
Kate Shaw headshot Courtesy Kate Shaw
L. Joy Williams headshot L. Joy Williams © Maro Hagopian

Far from Over: The Fight for the Equal Rights Amendment

Tuesday, November 14, 2023, 7 - 8 PM
Politicians and activists at the forefront of the movement discuss the continuing push for gender equality.Read More ›
Hiba Abid headshot Courtesy Hiba Abid
Randa Jarrar headshot Randa Jarrar © Shadi Petosky
Tony Shalhoub headshot Courtesy Tony Shalhoub

Tony Shalhoub, Hiba Abid, and Randa Jarrar: The Prophet at 100 and Arab American Writing in New York

Wednesday, November 8, 2023, 7 - 8 PM
On the centenary of Kahlil Gibran’s best-selling work of mystical prose-poetry, actors and writers perform readings and discuss the elusive legacy of his most famous book.Read More ›
Mary Beard headshot Mary Beard © Robin Cormack
Tim Gunn headshot Tim Gunn © Scott McDermott

Mary Beard with Tim Gunn: Emperor of Rome

Friday, November 3, 2023, 7 - 8 PM
Beard returns to the Library to talk with her biggest fan about her long-awaited follow up to the international bestseller SPQR.Read More ›
Terrance Hayes headshot Terrance Hayes © Penguin Books
Ama Codjoe headshot Courtesy Ama Codjoe
Nicole Sealey headshot Courtesy Nicole Sealey

Poetry and Conversation: Terrance Hayes, Ama Codjoe & Nicole Sealey

Thursday, November 2, 2023, 7 - 8 PM
The National Book Award–winning poet returns with a new collection of poetry, a book of illustrated prose and reviews about poetry, and a night of readings with special guests.Read More ›
Tim Gunn headshot Tim Gunn © Scott McDermott

Rooftop Happy Hour: Halloween Edition with Tim Gunn

Friday, October 27, 2023, 5:30 - 8:30 PM
The annual Halloween costume parade with Tim Gunn and NYPL librarians returns! Join us on the SNFL terrace, plus drinks, crafts, and more.Read More ›
C Pam Zhang headshot C Pam Zhang © Clayton Cubitt
Padma Lakshmi headshot Padma Lakshmi © Inez & Vinoodh

C Pam Zhang with Padma Lakshmi: Land of Milk and Honey

Tuesday, October 24, 2023, 6:30 - 7:30 PM
After a climate disaster, a young chef’s discovery of pleasures alters her life and, indirectly, the world.Read More ›
Benjamin Balint headshot Benjamin Balint © Karina Korecky
Joshua Cohen headshot Joshua Cohen © Marion Ettlinger

Chasing Bruno Schulz: Benjamin Balint with Joshua Cohen

Thursday, October 19, 2023, 7 - 8 PM
Balint discusses his fresh portrait of the Polish-Jewish writer and artist and the gripping account of the secret operation to rescue Schulz’s last artworks.Read More ›
Vauhini Vara headshot Vauhini Vara © Andrew Altschul
Leslie Jamison headshot Courtesy Leslie Jamison

Vauhini Vara with Leslie Jamison: This Is Salvaged

Wednesday, October 18, 2023, 7 - 8 PM
The prize-winning author of The Immortal King Rao returns with her first collection of short stories.Read More ›
Héctor Tobar headshot Héctor Tobar © Patrice Normand
Alejandro Varela headshot Alejandro Varela © Allison Michael Orenstein

Héctor Tobar with Alejandro Varela: The Meanings and Myths of “Latino”

Thursday, October 12, 2023, 7 - 8 PM
The Pulitzer Prize–winning writer explores what it means to be Latino in the United States. Read More ›
The Unmarked Graveyard season artwork The Unmarked Graveyard

Stories from Hart Island

Tuesday, October 10, 2023, 7 - 8 PM
Go behind the latest season of Radio Diaries' new series, "The Unmarked Graveyard," which untangles mysteries of people buried in America's largest public cemetery.Read More ›
Ayad Akhtar headshot Courtesy Ayad Akhtar
Adrienne LaFrance headshot Courtesy Adrienne LaFrance
Imani Perry headshot Courtesy Imani Perry

Banned: Censorship and Free Expression in America

Thursday, October 5, 2023, 7 - 8 PM
Ayad Akhtar and Imani Perry will be in conversation with Adrienne LaFrance to discuss the dangers of book banning and limits on freedom of expression.Read More ›
Mary Annaïse Heglar headshot Courtesy Mary Annaïse Heglar
Akil Kumarasamy headshot Akil Kumarasamy © Vidhya Manivanna
Sam J. Miller headshot Courtesy Sam J. Miller
Nathaniel Rich headshot Courtesy Nathaniel Rich

Confronting Climate Grief in Fiction with Akil Kumarasamy, Sam J. Miller, Nathaniel Rich, and Mary Annaïse Heglar

Thursday, September 21, 2023, 7 - 8 PM
Writers whose novels and stories have crossed the intersection of climate change and mental health ask whether fiction can have a meaningful impact on how we handle the climate crisis.Read More ›
Alondra Nelson headshot Alondra Nelson © Dan Komoda
Karen Kornbluh headshot Courtesy Karen Kornbluh
Maria Ressa headshot Courtesy Maria Ressa
Olatunbosun Tijani headshot Courtesy Olatunbosun Tijani
Tim Wu headshot Courtesy Tim Wu

Building the World We Want: Artificial Intelligence and Global Governance

Wednesday, September 20, 2023, 7 - 8 PM
Acclaimed scholar and writer Alondra Nelson leads a discussion on the transnational impacts of artificial intelligence and the need for global collaboration.Read More ›