----------------------------------------------------------

Past Events: (view pictures)

Presidential Library Leaders Brunch & Discussion: October 25th, 2009

University Librarian Bill Mayer and Professor Jim Thurber, Director of the Center of Congressional and Presidential Studies, hosted an engaging conversation with Karl Weissenbach (CAS '75 SPA '76), Director of the Eisenhower Presidential Library, and Verne Newton (SPA '67), Former Director of the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Presidential Library. Attendees heard about the often controversial stewardship of presidential legacies and how libraries of the past can hold vital lessons for current and future administrations.

Alumni Weekend, Special Collections Talk - Spinks Collection: October 24th, 2009

University Archivist Susan McElrath and Professor Amelia Hankin gave a special talk and demonstration of Eastern woodblock print techniques.

AU Alumni & Literacy in DC: Larissa Gerstel Critical Literacy Collection Family Reading, Activities and Discussion: October 24th, 2009

AU alumna Larissa Gerstel read from her most recent children's book and participated in a conversation with the School of Education, Teaching, and Health's faculty and partners on critical literacy questions in D.C. and beyond. Meanwhile, elementary aged children participated in fun literacy-related activities.

Alumni Author's Panel and Book Signing: October 24th, 2009

The Friends of AU Library hosted an engaging panel presentation with three published AU alumni authors from the School of International Service who discussed their recent books and answered questions. Featured authors were: Michael Cohen (SIS/BA '94), Live from the Campaign Trail:Ayse Kadayifci (SIS/PhD '02), Standing On an Isthmus: Islamic Narratives of War and Peace in the Palestinian Territories and Allison Silberberg (SIS/BA '84) Visionaries in Our Midst: Ordinary People who are Changing Our World.

Holiday Shopping Event: December 9th, 2008

Friends of the AU Library and Bloomingdale's hosted a special evening of shopping fun and festivities to benefit the library. All proceeds from ticket sales and 10% of the Bloomingdale's sales from the evening directly benefitted the AU Library.

Tour of the Naval Observatory Library: May 20th, 2008

Friends of AU Library, including a group of thirty alumni, emeriti faculty, and neighbors, attended a reception and tour of the Naval Observatory. In the magnificent library designed by Richard Morris Hunt, head Librarian Sally Boskin expertly led a guided viewing of some breathtaking rare books, including works by Galileo, Newton, Copernicus, and Kepler. Goeff Chester, Director of Public Relations, gave an engaging talk on the history of the observatory and its current role today and took the group on a tour of the atomic clocks and the telescope.

From AU to ZU: Cultural Contexts and Academic Libraries: January 17th, 2008

Friends of the AU Library hosted former University Librarian Pat Wand for a talk on her cross-cultural library experiences as Dean, Library and Learning Resources, at Zayed University in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Crate and Barrel Holiday Shopping Benefit: December 10, 2007

Friends of the AU Library and Crate & Barrel hosted a special evening of shopping fun and festivities to benefit the library. All proceeds from ticket sales and 10% of the Crate & Barrel sales from the evening directly benefitted the AU Library.

Katzen Arts Center Music Library & Gallery Tour: May 24, 2007

The Friends of the AU Library's Spring event featured a tour of the new Katzen Arts Center, highlighting master works from the museum exhibitions and new technology available at the music library.

Final Perk: May 2, 2007

The Friends of the AU Library co-sponsored this Spring's ever popular Final Perk, where the library passed out free cups of coffee, Red Bull and cookies to students during exams. 

Literary Lunchtime in the Library: February 28, March 28 and April 25, 2007

This popular student reading series featured six students from the Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing program in the Department of Literature, who read from works in progress in the library's cafe setting. This semester featured: Harvey Baine, Allison Curseen, Jonathan Harper, Alexis Katchuck, Heather McDonald, and Melissa Pasterkiewicz.

Celebrating Scholarship: February 15, 2007

The library recognized three AU faculty members for their recently published books. Honorees discussed the process behind writing their books and a question and answer session followed the presentation. Honorees included: Iris Krasnow, Jonathan Loesberg & Leonard Steinhorn. 

Final Perk: December 14, 2005

Take a break on us! Students can recharge by stopping by the reserves reading room for a free cup of coffee and a snack.

Millionth Book Celebration: November 2, 2005

Come join the AU community on Wednesday, November 2, 2005 to mark the millionth book acquired by the AU Library, a significant milestone in the library’s development. The event will be hosted by Thomas E. Carroll, chair of the Friends of the American University Library and publisher at Carroll Publishing and Patricia Wand, university librarian.

The function will feature presentation of a rare book to be added to the AU collection as the one millionth volume; its identity will be revealed at the event. The acclaimed poet Richard McCann, co-director of AU’s Creative Writing Program and author of the new book, Mother of Sorrows (Pantheon Books, 2005) will read in honor of the occasion. Acting President Neil Kerwin will also make remarks.

Historical Walking Tour of Campus: October 22, 2005

Exploration of AU’s past on a walking tour through campus with library staff from the University Archives. 

Library Open House: October 22, 2005

The library’s annual Alumni & Family Weekend Open House.

Alumni and Family Weekend AU Park Bus Tour: October 21, 2005

Discover the historical background behind interesting and popular sites around AU with James Heintze, Assistant University Librarian. Selected sites included homes of former president Lyndon Johnson and vice president Richard Nixon, Embassy Row, the National Cathedral, and Civil War forts.

Historical Walking Tour of Campus: October 21, 2005

Exploration of AU’s past on a walking tour through campus with library staff from the University Archives.

Celebrating Scholarship: October 21, 2005

Presentations by American University faculty members of their recently published and signed books and the stories behind them. Honorees included Brian Forst: Errors of Justice: Nature, Sources and Remedies; Helen Langa: Radical Art: Printmaking and the Left in 1930s New York; and Sabiyha Prince: Constructing Belonging: Class, Race and Harlem's Professional Workers.

Hillwood Museum Tour: May 14, 2005

Taking advantage of the lovely Spring weather, Friends toured Marjorie Merriweather Post's estate and gardens. Recently restored, Hillwood hosts extensive collections of fine furnishings and Fabergé.

Celebrating Scholarship: February 24, 2005

Presentations by American University faculty members of their recently published and signed books and the stories behind them. Honorees included Denise Gosliner Orenstein: Unseen Companion, Consuelo Hernandez: Manual de Peregrina, and Renée Marlin-Bennett: Knowledge Power: Intellectual Property, Information and Privacy.

Finals Coffee Break: December 15, 2004

American University Library hosted a study break featuring free coffee and snacks for students. Library reference staff was available for impromptu research needs.

Professor Alan Lichtman Discusses “The Keys to the White House”: October 22, 2004

Using the “Keys to the White House” prediction system, Professor Lichtman has accurately predicted the popular-vote winner of the last five elections. Learn about this fascinating system and hear what the “Keys” forecast for the 2004 election.

Family Weekend: October 22, 2004

Neighborhood Bus Tour:
Discover the historical background behind interesting and popular sites around AU with James Heintze from the American University Library. Selected sites included homes of former president Lyndon Johnson and vice president Richard Nixon, Embassy Row, the National Cathedral, and Civil War forts.

Alumni Book Talk: October 16, 2004

Accomplished alumni authors discuss the process of writing their books, and answer questions. This year’s featured authors were Michael C. Carroll: Lab 257: The Disturbing Story of the Government’s Secret Plum Island Germ Laboratory, Lea Macko: Midlife Crisis at 30, and James McGrath Morris: The Rose Man of Sing-Sing.

Celebrating Scholarship. October 16, 2004

Presentations by American University faculty members of their recently published and signed books and the stories behind them. Honorees included Jamin B. Raskin: Overruling Democracy: The Supreme Court vs. the American People, Mark C. Walker: The Strategic Use of Referendums: Power, Legitimacy, and Democracy, and Eric Lohr: Nationalizing the Russian Empire: The Campaign Against Enemy Aliens
During World War I.

Early Bird Library of Congress Tour: May 22, 2004

A special early morning tour of the Library of Congress. Hosted by AU alumna Amy Schapiro this tour offered a rare opportunity to see the Library of Congress before it opens to the public for the day.

Finals Coffee Break: April 28, 2004

American University Library and the Office of Campus life hosted a study break featuring free coffee and snacks for students. Library reference staff was available for impromptu research needs.

Charles McLaughlin Book Talk: April 23, 2004

Faculty emeritus Charles McLaughlin discussed the book, Walks and Talks of an American Farmer in England. This re-publication of Frederick Law Olmsted’s first book features an introduction by Professor McLaughlin. A tour of the AU Gardens led by university landscape architects followed.

Bender Library 25th anniversary Celebration: April 20, 2004

Celebration of the 25th anniversary of the library building. The library officially launched its digital collections with a special exhibit of the digitized Drew Pearson manuscripts.

Additionally the library hosted a Restore-a-Book fundraiser to raise funds to repair damaged books.

Celebrating Scholarship: February 24, 2004

Presentations by American University faculty members of their recently published and signed books and the stories behind them. Honorees included Akbar Ahmed: Islam Under Siege, Bob Beisner: American Foreign Relations Since 1600, a Guide to the Literature, and Alan Kraut: Goldberger’s War; the Life and Work of a Public Health Crusader.

Finals Coffee Break: December 10, 2003

American University Library and the Office of Campus life hosted a study break featuring free coffee and snacks for students. Library reference staff was available for impromptu research needs.

Special Guest Speaker, Taylor Branch: December 1, 2003

The Kay Spiritual Center and Friends of AU Library hosted Pulitzer Prize winning author Taylor Branch who spoke about his civil rights trilogy. His books include Parting the Waters and Pillar of Fire; he is currently at work on the third installment of the series.

Family Weekend Event: October 24, 2003

AU Neighborhood tours.
Discovery of the historical background behind interesting and popular sites around AU with James Heintze from the American University Library. Selected sites included homes of former president Lyndon Johnson and vice president Richard Nixon, Embassy Row, the National Cathedral, and Civil War forts.

Homecoming & Reunion Weekend: October 17, 2003

The Write Stuff - Alumni Book Talk, accomplished alumni authors discussed the process of writing their books, and answered questions. Jan Pottker (CAS/BA 1969): Janet and Jackie, the Story of a Mother and Her Daughter, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Amy Schapiro (CAS/BA 1992): Millicent Fenwick: Her Way, and Kenneth T. Walsh (SOC/MA 1970): Air Force One: A History of the Presidents and Their Planes.

Homecoming & Reunion Weekend: October 17, 2003

Tea with the Helen Palmer Kettler Society:
Ccelebration of the Kettler Society members and Friends of AU Library, with a special exhibit of theatre programs, donated to American University by alumni and friends.

Celebrating Scholarship: October 2, 2003

Presentations by American University faculty members of their recently published and signed books and the stories behind them. Honorees included Daniel Dreisbach: Thomas Jefferson and the Wall of Separation Between Church and State, Sue Headlee: A Year Inside the Beltway: Making Economic Policy in Washington, and Howard M. Wachtel: Street of Dreams: Boulevard of Broken Hearts: Wall Street's First Century. 

Round House Theater and Dinner Event: May 18, 2003

Friends of AU Library gathered to celebrate the opening of the new Round House Theater in Silver Spring, Maryland. Underneath the Lintel, by Glen Berger portrayed the life altering quest of a mild-mannered librarian who checks in books left in the drop slot overnight. Following the play, Friends of AU Library met at the Tastee Diner for dinner and pleasant conversation.