Past Events

The Smithsonian Libraries invites you to the secondin a series of talks related to our newest exhibition, Magnificent Obsessions: Why We Collect: Beyond Brontë: The Essential Act of Collecting Books by Women featuring A.N. Devers Proprietor, The Second Shelf

Join the Smithsonian Libraries for Book Club! On August 18, we will be discussing Suzanne Collins' award-winning novelThe Hunger Gamesat The Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture GardenParticipants will also be treated to rare artifacts and books to shed light on some of the themes within the book. A light brunch will be served.

Please join the Smithsonian Libraries for a reception and program at the Union League Club of Chicago!

July 21, 2019: 11am- 1pm National Museum of African American History and Culture Join the Smithsonian Libraries for Book Club! On July 21, we will be discussing Angie Thomas' award-winning novel The Hate U Give  at the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Participants will also be treated to rare artifacts and books to shed light on some of the themes within the book .A light brunch will be served.

The Smithsonian Libraries invites you to the secondin a series of talks related to our newest exhibition,Magnificent Obsessions: Why We Collect: Collecting to Strength, Subverting Tradition: Curatorship in the 2010s

Join the Smithsonian Libraries for Book Club! On July 14, we will be discussing Douglas Adams' award-winning novelThe Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy at the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery. Participants will also be treated to rare artifacts and books to shed light on some of the themes within the book. A light brunch will be served.

Please join the Smithsonian Libraries for our annual Adopt-a-Book evening!

Will you be in at the American Libraries Association Annual Conference and Exhibition in June 2019? Find us in Booth #2345.

The Smithsonian Libraries invites library colleagues from around the world to tour three of our 21 branches while visiting Washington, DC for the American Libraries Association Annual Conference. These special behind-the-scenes tours will give guests an opportunity to see our rare books and special collections in art, history and science, as well as chat with Smithsonian Libraries staff and network with each other.

Join the Smithsonian Libraries for Book Club! On June 2, we will be discussing Jenny Han's award-winning novel To All the Boys I've Loved Before at the National Postal Museum. Participants will also be treated to rare artifacts and books about the history of correspondence to shed light on some of the themes within the book.

The Smithsonian Libraries invites you to the first in a series of talks related to our newest exhibition,Magnificent Obsessions: Why We Collect: Celebrating Women Book Collectors: The Early Years of the Honey & Wax Prize

The Smithsonian Libraries has reached out to us at the Smithsonian Investigative League to solve another mystery. Our Book Cases division is dedicated to all book and library based mysteries. We need help freeing three professors from a curious spell. You’ll gather clues by attending three classes: Herbology, Care of Magical Creatures, and Potions. You’ll need bravery, patience, cleverness, and cunning to solve this one! Book Cases is a series of mystery and adventure events for DC middle school students.  Each event centers on a different theme, but each time 25 youth work together to crack a case using their research, technology, and critical thinking skills to solve a mystery straight out of the Smithsonian Libraries stacks.   NOTE: Book Cases events always happen on in-services days when students aren't in school. It's our way of providing fun, educational programming for your young detectives while you're at work. 

Join us at the National Museum of American History for a special edition of Museum ABCs hosted by Smithsonian Libraries. Museum ABCs is a drop-in program that introduces early learners, ages 0-6, and their adult companions to the museum collections through letter learning and hands-on activities. Our young learners are invited to join us for a story and craft centered on the Smithsonian Libraries' exhibitionMagnificent Obsessions. Stroller parking is provided. Nursing mothers are welcome. Bilingual books will be provided whenever possible.

Join us live on Facebook as we explore the life and art of Elizabeth Gould. Gould, wife of English ornithologist John Gould, is an oft overlooked contributor to natural history. As a 19th century artist, she was responsible for some of the most historically significant images of birds ever published.

With the help of experienced Wikipedians, attendees will learn to edit Wikipedia and improve or create Wikipedia articles related to women in natural history, drawing on the Biodiversity Heritage Library’s free and extensive online collections as source materials. No editing experience is necessary.