Virtual Author Talks at Urbandale Public Library

The Urbandale Public Library is hosting virtual author talks each month featuring bestselling, award-winning and highly acclaimed authors from around the world. The featured writers and thought leaders will cover a wide range of fiction and nonfiction genres.

About the Virtual Author Talks

The free, virtual series takes place two to three times a month and includes the opportunity to ask the author questions.  A complete list of events is available on Urbandale Public Library’s virtual author talk series website at libraryc.org/urbandalelibrary. Library Speakers Consortium is sponsored by the Urbandale Public Library Foundation. Browse and register for upcoming events or look at an extensive catalog of previous speakers.

The Library Speakers Consortium is available to anyone with an Urbandale library card and you can find a link to the author talk series website on our homepage: urbandalelibrary.org. Events hosted by the library will be indicated as a “watch party” on our calendar (both print and digital) and can be viewed in one of the library’s meeting rooms.

The library hosts 1-2 watch parties each month that you can register to attend in person at the library. You can also register to watch on your own — plus, all of the Author Talks are available within 24 hours so you have access to all past recordings as well! Some of the past Author Talks include Rebecca F. Kuang, Xochitl Gonzalez, Madeline Miller, Christopher Paolini, Nina Totenberg, Jason Mott, Rebecca Searle, Naomi Alderman, John Irving, Ruth Ware, Rick Steves and many more.

Upcoming Author Talks

Author Talks for June are listed below. Reminder: if you miss any of the live talks, you can still catch the replay on demand 24/7!

Monday, June 3 at 1 p.m.: “For the Love of Mars: A Human History of the Red Planet” with Smithsonian Curator Matt Shindell

Mars and its secrets have fascinated and mystified humans since ancient times. Due to its vivid color and visibility, its geologic kinship with Earth, and its potential as our best hope for settlement, Mars embodies everything that inspires us about space and exploration. “For the Love of Mars: A Human History of the Red Planet” surveys the red planet's place in the human imagination, beginning with ancient astrologers and skywatchers and ending in our present moment of exploration and virtual engagement.

You’re invited to come learn alongside Matt Shindell, National Air and Space Museum curator, as he introduces viewers to historical figures across eras and around the world who have made sense of this mysterious planet. By focusing on the diverse human stories behind the telescopes and behind the robots we know and love, Shindell will show how Mars exploration has evolved in ways that have also expanded knowledge about other facets of the universe.

Thursday, June 13 at 7 p.m.: Psychological Thrillers and the Queen of Twists — An Author Talk with Frieda McFadden

Get your popcorn and take a seat as we chat with the queen of twists herself, Freida McFadden! McFadden will join us to chat about writing psychological thrillers and her mega-bestselling hit The Housemaid series, in particular her forthcoming (June 11, 2024) third installment, “The Housemaid Is Watching.”

The next installment is full of unbelievable twists and tension as it continues to follow Millie Calloway. She used to clean other people’s houses —now, she can’t believe this new home is actually hers. The charming kitchen, the quiet cul-de-sac, the huge yard where her kids can play. She and her husband saved for years to give their children the life they deserve.

Even though she’s wary of their new neighbor, Mrs. Lowell, when she invites them over for dinner, it’s their chance to make friends, so they accept the invitation. Mrs. Lowell’s maid opens the door wearing a white apron, her hair in a tight bun. Millie knows exactly what it’s like to be in her shoes. But the maid’s cold stare gives her chills…

The Lowells’ maid isn’t the only strange thing on their street. Millie’s sure she sees a shadowy figure watching them. Millie wonders: Did they make a terrible mistake moving their family here?

If you’re already a Freida McFadden fan, join us in September for our Page Turners book club where we’re reading and discussing Never Lie on Thursday, Sept. 19 at 6 p.m.

Thursday, June 20 at 1 p.m.: Unpacking a History of Systemic Racism in the American Education System with Tiffany Jewell

Join us as #1 New York Times bestselling author Tiffany Jewell highlights the inequities Black and Brown students face from preschool through college as she presents lessons and knowledge from her new book “Everything I Learned About Racism I Learned in School.”

From preschool to higher education and everything in between, “Everything I Learned About Racism I Learned in School” focuses on the experiences Black and Brown students face as a direct result of the racism built into schools across the United States.

The book follows author Tiffany Jewell from early elementary school through her time at college, unpacking the history of systemic racism in the American educational system along the way. Throughout the book, other writers of the global majority share a wide variety of personal narratives and stories based on their own school experiences.

“Everything I Learned About Racism I Learned in School” provides young folks with the context to think critically about and chart their own course through their current schooling — and any future schooling they may pursue. A true “don’t want to miss” event — so register now!

July Author Talks

For the month of July, we’ll have a special K-12 Summer Series featuring authors Kate DiCamillo, Max Brallier, Elizabeth Acevedo and Dan Santat. Each Author Talk will be held on Tuesday afternoons in July at 1 p.m.

• July 9: A Visit to Deckawoo Drive with Mercy Watson and Kate DiCamillo (PreK – 2nd grade). DiCamillo is a Newberry Medal Winner for “The Tale of Desperaux” and New York Times bestselling author of over 30 children’s books, including the Mercy Watson series.
• July 16: Surviving the Summer with The Last Kids on Earth and Max Brallier (3rd – 6th grade). Braillier is a New York Times bestselling author of more than 50 books for children.
• July 23: Learning the Power of Poetry with Bestselling Author Elizabeth Acevedo (9th – 12th grade). Acevedo is a National Book Award winner and New York Times Bestselling Author of “The Poet X” and “Clap When You Land.”
• July 30: Graphic Novels are Life! Telling Your Own Story in a Graphic Novel with Dan Santat (5th – 8th grade). Santat is a Caldecott Medal Winner, National Book Award Winner and New York Times Bestselling Author and Illustrator of over 100 books.

Sneak Preview of August Author Talks

• Wednesday, Aug. 7 at 1 p.m.: Your All Access Pass Behind the Scenes at the Space Station with Smithsonian Curator Dr. Jennifer Levasseur. Attend the watch party at the library.
• Thursday, Aug. 15 at 1 p.m.: The Golden Ticket to College Admissions Is Not What You Think: Redefining Success for Parents of Teens with Irena Smith, PhD
• Wednesday, Aug. 21 at 6 p.m.: An Exploration of Friendship, Reckoning and Hope with novelist Shelby Van Pelt. Attend the watch party at the library.

How It Works:

• You can access the Author Talks microsite from the library’s website: urbandalelibrary.org. There is a link on the homepage or you can click on the Programs tab and select Library Speakers Consortium.
• Browse the list of upcoming speakers and click “See More and Register” for any events you’d like to view on your own.
• Visit the library’s calendar to register for the watch parties each month. Author Talks hosted at the library will be indicated by “watch party” whereas events that are not hosted at the library will be indicated as “virtual.”
• When you register for a watch party, you can attend the live virtual Author Talk at the library.
• You also have the option to register to watch on your own. In both cases, you will receive an email confirmation. If you choose to watch on your own, the email will include a link to the Author Talk and you will also receive a reminder email one day prior to the event.
• If you’re unable to attend but would still like to submit a question, register for the event and include your questions at the time of registration. You can then catch the replay at your convenience.
• If you register but miss the live event, you will receive a follow-up email the following day that will include a link to the recording.
• You can watch on any mobile device or computer. You can also check out a library computer to watch any live or recorded author talks.
• All Author Talk events are recorded and available 24/7 to watch on demand in the archive. Click on the Past Speakers tab on the microsite to jump to any archived Author Talk.
• On the microsite homepage, you can scroll through upcoming speakers or navigate using any of the tabs at the top.

If you have any questions or feedback, please contact Staci Stanton, Programming and Outreach Manager.

The Greater Des Moines Partnership calendar of events is a one-stop resource for activities taking place throughout the region. Find networking information for Greater Des Moines (DSM) businesses, including Chamber luncheons, roundtables and ribbon cuttings. You can also find live music happening each week thanks to the “Live Music This Week in DSM” blog series.