Past Events

Come along with Allie Alvis, our Special Collections Reference Librarian, and Dr. Kali Holder, a veterinary pathologist at the National Zoo, as they explore marginal monsters in one of our rare books.

This event has been postponed and will be rescheduled for a later date. As a public health precaution, the Smithsonian is postponing or canceling all public events through May 3. See si.edu/events for details. Museums and the National Zoo remain open at this time. We are monitoring the guidance of the CDC and local public health officials. Help improve information in Wikipedia about endangered species as part of the Earth Optimism Wikipedia Workshop on Endangered Species hosted by the Smithsonian Libraries (Washington, D.C.) with support from Wikimedia DC.

Please note that the March 13th and March 20th events scheduled to be held at Smithsonian museums have been canceled. See the event series page for details about other events. The year 2020 marks a turning point in history for American women, and to celebrate the anniversary of the 19th Amendment, Washington D.C. cultural organizations have joined together to host a series of Wikipedia edit-a-thons during Women's History month. This coordinated series of events is in conjunction with the Art+Feminism campaign to address gender gaps in content and participation on the encyclopedia, especially related to art and artists.

Join Lilla Vekerdy, Head of Special Collections, and Morgan Aronson for a discussion of their book Abecedarium: An Adult Coloring Book for Bibliophiles, followed by book signing.

Music and the Making of Modern Science and Medicine Monday, December 2nd, 2019. 5:00 PMS. Dillon Ripley Center Ripley Auditorium

In honor or our exhibition, Game Change: Elephants from Prey to Preservation, and the National Museum of American History's new exhibition, Elephants and Us: Considering Extinction, please join us for a special film screening followed by a question and answer session.

Join us for a performance of music hidden in plain sight. Musical manuscripts, re-purposed centuries ago as book bindings, will transport us back in time during this evening event devoted to their musicality.

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.