Stimulating Minds
St. Louis is a community of readers, which has made us a premiere stop for nationally touring and bestselling authors. Today, St. Louis County Library hosts one of the biggest and most popular author event series at any public library in the country, bringing in dozens of authors and thousands of readers to share memorable and stimulating readings and discussions. Sponsors of the author programs receive wide-ranging recognition and invitations to exclusive receptions with authors, plus reserve seating at events and programs.
Favorite Author Series
Fiction, Mystery, Memoirs, Food Writing and More!
This award-winning series brings over 100 nationally touring and bestselling authors to the library each year. The series features readings, discussions, and book signings, giving members exclusive opportunities to meet and engage with their favorite writers. In recent years, we have hosted fiction writers George Saunders, Anna Quindlen, Curtis Sittenfeld, and Michael Chabon, suspense authors Lee Child, Janet Evanovich, and Dan Brown, and celebrity guests Gabrielle Union, Art Garfunkel, and Andy Cohen.
Westfall Politics & History Series
Sports Fans, Politicos, and Everyone in Between
The Westfall Series is designed for those who enjoy reading about politics, history and current events. Past guests have included political leaders Madeleine Albright and Vice President Al Gore, historians Doris Kearns Goodwin, H.W. Brands, and Jon Meacham, and journalists David Brooks and Nicholas Kristof.
The Arthur Gale Medical Arts Lecture Series
Keep Your Finger on the Pulse
This author series features books on critical health care and medical issues written by doctors, health care professionals, journalists and historians. Named after Dr. Author Gale, a distinguished internal medicine physician who served on the staff at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, he is a tremendous supporter of the Library’s author series and offers continued guidance for the medical series.
The Reading Garden Event Series
Cultivating Bookworms
A perennial favorite with St. Louis families, the Reading Garden presents authors, musicians, artists and performers for children of all ages. Recent Reading Garden guests include authors Rick Riordan, Mo Willems, R.L. Stine, Dav Pilkey, Temple Grandin, and Kate DiCamillo.
Teen Book Festival
Cultivating Teen Bookworms
In 2022, St. Louis County Library welcomed over 450 readers to the St. Louis region’s first in-person book festival dedicated to teen readers. This annual festival features book talks, author signings, and meet-and-greet opportunities with a diverse group of young adult authors. The 2022 festival featured 15 authors including Kiera Cass, Jeff Bishop, Randi Pink, Joan He and many more!
Save the Date!
Saturday, December 2, 2023 – 1:00-5:30 p.m.
St. Louis County Library will host the St. Louis Teen Book Festival at Ladue Horton Watkins High School. This year’s line-up includes Neal Shusterman, Kendare Blake, Alexandra Bracken, Justin A. Reynolds and more. More details will be announced soon.