American Library in Paris

Flashlight with Susan Choi and Lauren Collins
2026-03-18 19:30 - 20:30 (Europe/Paris) | The American Library in Paris
Beginning with a father’s disappearance on a breakwater in Japan, Susan Choi‘s sixth novel Flashlight unfolds across decades and continents, tracing how loss, exile, and political upheaval shape one family’s fate. Joined in conversation with The New Yorker staff writer Lauren Collins, Choi will explore how both memory and history illuminate, distort, and leave certain truths in shadow.
About the speakers:
Susan Choi is the author of Trust Exercise, which received the National Book Award for fiction, and the novels The Foreign Student, American Woman, A Person of Interest, and My Education. She is a recipient of the Asian-American Literary Award for fiction, the PEN/W. G. Sebald Award, a Lambda Literary award, the Sunday Times Audible Short Story Award, and fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Guggenheim Foundation. She teaches in the Writing Seminars at Johns Hopkins University and lives in Brooklyn, New York.
Photo Credit: Laura Bianchi, Bogliasco Foundation
Lauren Collins is a staff writer for The New Yorker. Her subjects have included Michelle Obama, Emmanuel Macron, Demna, the street artist Invader, French tacos, the refugee crisis, and equal pay. Since 2015 she has been based in Paris, covering stories mainly from France. She is the author of When in French: Love in a Second Language, which the Times named as one of its 100 Notable Books of 2016. Her second book, “They Stole a City: Wilmington’s White Supremacist Coup and the Families Who Live With Its Legacy,” will be published on July 7, 2026. Important information: The discussion will be available both online and in person. While the conversation will happen in person (the speakers will appear in the Reading Room), the Library will stream the conversation on Zoom for a live viewing experience. Both in-person and online attendees will be able to pose questions.
Attendance at this event constitutes permission for your photograph or video to be taken at the event and used by the American Library in Paris for marketing, promotional, pedagogical, or other purposes.
Evenings with an Author are free and open to the public (with a 10€ suggested donation)
thanks to the generous support of GRoW @ Annenberg.

History Tour at the Library
2026-03-20 11:00 - 12:00, 2026-04-17 11:00 - 12:00, 2026-04-24 11:00 - 12:00
The American Library in Paris invites you to register for a History Tour. Come visit us in person at 10 rue du Général Camou and discover:

Our origin story: How our Library grew out of a collection of books donated to troops in WWI
The establishment of the American Library in Paris as a private non-profit library
The famous writers of the Lost Generation (Gertrude Stein, Ernest Hemingway, Henry Miller, and others) who explored our stacks
The Paris Library School, which brought American innovations to French libraries between the wars
The true stories of the brave librarians who kept the Library open during the Occupation of WWII
How the Library has evolved over its 106-year history into the largest English-language lending library on the European continent

All tours are on Fridays at 11h00, last one hour, and take place in person at the American Library in Paris.
Tours are free of charge and open to the public. Pre-registration is required. Please contact us if you wish to reserve for 5 or more people (do not reserve through the site).
For school or group reservations, or for other questions, please email tours@americanlibraryinparis.org.
This initiative is made possible through the generous support of the Florence Gould Foundation and the American Center for Art and Culture.
Attendance at this event constitutes permission for your photograph or video to be taken at the event and used by the American Library in Paris for marketing, promotional, pedagogical, or other purposes.

Reading Buddies (ages 6-10) (Apply now)
2026-03-20 17:30 - 18:30 | The American Library in Paris
Children in 1st grade (CP) though 4th grade (CM1) will be paired with a teen reading buddy and the pairs spend time reading together in a supportive environment at the American Library in Paris. Reading buddies will meet twice a month for one hour of shared reading-out-loud practice, and fun literacy-related games. Reading Buddies aims to boost young readers’ skills and get children excited about reading and the Library. It is not a tutoring service.
Little Buddies must apply by completing this Little Buddy application. Space is limited.
The Reading Buddies program is facilitated by the Children’s and Teens’ Services staff under the supervision of the Children’s and Teens’ Services Manager. Teen volunteers (Big Buddies) receive training on how to be a reading mentor from Library staff.
This trial program will run for four sessions between March and April. Each session is 60 minutes (1 hour) long. Children who sign up for this program must attend all 4 sessions. Reading buddies volunteers are role models for young readers.
20 March 2026 from 17h30–18h30
3 April 2026 from 17h30–18h30
10 April 2026 from 17h30–18h30
17 April 2026 from 17h30–18h30 Important information: This event is free for Library members. All Library users are expected to familiarize themselves with the Rules and Code of Conduct so that we can provide a pleasant library environment for all patrons. Questions about collections and programs for children and teens can be sent to the Library’s Children’s and Teens’ Services Manager, Celeste Rhoads: celeste@americanlibraryinparis.org.

Saturday Series: Puppets and Theater (ages 6–12)
2026-03-21 11:00 - 12:00 | The American Library in Paris
A puppet is a figure that is moved by a person, usually for a performance of some kind. The figure can be of a person, an animal, an object, or even a made-up creature. Learn about creating a puppet in this creative workshop, then think about creating your own character and make it into a puppet. Once characters are created, you’ll write scenes for them to star in.
This activity is entirely in English, and no translation will be provided. All participants must be able to understand and speak English in order to participate in the program. Caregivers and parents of young children are encouraged to participate in this event with their children. Children between the ages 6–12 may participate in Library programs on their own, while their chaperone remains inside the Library.
This event will be hosted by Member Services Assistant Colette Dia with the help of volunteers.
Important information: This event is for Library members, and advance registration is required. Caregivers are expected to familiarize themselves with the Library Policy for Children and the Rules and Code of Conduct so that we can provide a pleasant library environment for all patrons. Questions about collections and programs for children and teens can be sent to the Library’s Children and Teens Services Manager, Celeste Rhoads: celeste@americanlibraryinparis.org.

The Vocabulary of U.S. College Admissions with College Goals (ages 14–adult)
2026-03-21 14:00 - 15:30 | The American Library in Paris
Given the demands of the American university application process, students interested in pursuing higher education in the U.S. are well advised to begin preparing early in their high school career for its demands, perhaps even before they embark on their final two years of study toward the French bac or IB. In this presentation with guests from College Goals, teens and their parents will explore the application and admissions process for US colleges and universities and how best to prepare. What do families need to know for their students to be successful and satisfied by the university search and application process? How can students produce a strong and interesting U.S. university application? In the first of a series of presentations on aspects of the American college application process, College Goals’ counselor, Andrea van Niekerk will discuss the concepts, language, and protocols students need to be aware of if they hope to apply to US institutions.

About Andrea van Niekerk: Andrea served for a decade as Associate Director of Admission, with a focus on international applicants, and as Freshman Academic Adviser at Brown University, and as Residential Fellow in a dorm at Stanford. Still based in Silicon Valley, she now works with both American and international families as part of College Goals. Andrea has over 20 years of experience in college admission and academic advising. She is a member of NACAC, HECA and WACAC.
About College Goals: College Goals is a university admission consulting practice specializing in counseling families interested in higher education opportunities in the US and in English-medium universities around the world. The team of counselors collectively offers decades of professional experience in higher education. College Goals provides expert counsel and support throughout the college search and application process, including choice of appropriate institutions, test requirements, recommendations and interviews, essay writing, and the preparation of distinguished applications. Find out more at www.collegegoals.com
Important information:
This event is for Library members, and advance registration is required. All visitors are expected to familiarize themselves with the Library Policy for Children and the Rules and Code of Conduct so that we can provide a pleasant library environment for all patrons.
Questions about collections and programs for children and teens can be sent to the Library’s Children’s and Teens’ Services Manager, Celeste Rhoads: celeste@americanlibraryinparis.org.

Make It Last: A Mending Workshop with Ella Springer (ages 12–18)
2026-03-22 14:00 - 15:30 | The American Library in Paris
The practice of mending has existed for as long as we’ve been creating and wearing clothing. As fast fashion and even faster consumption become the norm, mending skills are slowly being forgotten between generations. In this workshop, participants will learn about what we wear, how we consume, and basic mending skills to make repairs to our clothing. Materials will be provided for practice, and you are also welcome to bring in your clothing items. Jeans are great for practice!
About Ella Springer: Ella Springer is an artist and designer originally from Michigan and currently based in Paris while completing her thesis at Parsons Paris. Through her work, she is on a mission to revive the skills and communities surrounding clothing repair and sustainable hand making practices. In today’s fashion culture these skills are more crucial than ever. With a needle and thread as a tool for change, Ella leads children to the joy of mending through workshops and creative activities. You can find out more about Ella here and follow her work here. Important information:
This event is free for Library members, and 15€ per teen for non-members. Advance registration is required. All visitors are expected to familiarize themselves with the Library Policy for Children and the Rules and Code of Conduct so that we can provide a pleasant library environment for all patrons.
Questions about collections and programs for children and teens can be sent to the Library’s Children and Teens Services Manager, Celeste Rhoads: celeste@americanlibraryinparis.org.

From Baldwin to Today: Queer Black Expats in Paris with Rasheed Newson
2026-03-24 19:30 - 20:30 | The American Library in Paris
From Josephine Baker and James Baldwin to André Leon Talley and today’s artists, Paris has long drawn queer African Americans seeking freedom, visibility, and creative possibility. In this interactive lecture, novelist and current American Library Visiting Fellow Rasheed Newson examines how queer Black Americans have been perceived and received in France, and why so many have chosen expatriate life in the City of Lights. Blending history, visual media, and cultural analysis, Newson interrogates Paris as a refuge—and the limits of that promise.
About the speaker:
Rasheed Newson is the author of the national bestseller My Government Means to Kill Me. The novel was a Lambda Literary finalist for Gay Fiction and was named one of the “100 Notable Books of 2022” by the New York Times. His forthcoming novel, There’s Only One Sin in Hollywood, is slated for publication by Flatiron in 2026. Rasheed is also a television drama writer, producer, and showrunner. Along with his screenplay writing partner, T.J. Brady, Newson co-developed and is an executive producer of Bel-Air. At the Library, Newson will be conducting research for a novel about the experience of a gay, African-American, male runway model with a dark complexion, who becomes a brief international sensation during Paris Fashion Week in 1992. Important information: The discussion will be available both online and in person. While the conversation will happen in person (the speakers will appear in the Reading Room), the Library will stream the conversation on Zoom for a live viewing experience. Both in-person and online attendees will be able to pose questions.
Attendance at this event constitutes permission for your photograph or video to be taken at the event and used by the American Library in Paris for marketing, promotional, pedagogical, or other purposes.
Evenings with an Author are free and open to the public (with a 10€ suggested donation)
thanks to the generous support of GRoW @ Annenberg.

Story Hour: How Many? How Much? (ages 3–5)
2026-03-25 14:30 - 15:30 | The American Library in Paris
For this program, join us for stories centered on numbers! Stories featured in this event include picture books such as Count the Monkeys by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Kevin Cornell and If You Made a Million by David M. Schwartz (pictured here). We’ll also sing songs and practice rhymes.
This program is entirely in English, and no translation will be provided. This participatory program is intended to encourage children to actively engage with stories. Children’s and Teens’ Services staff members will read books and lead you and your little one in songs and hand-rhymes during a live, interactive session. Plan to join in, sing along, move around, and model movement and listening for your little one. We ask that all caregivers put away their phones and other electronic devices for the duration of this program. With your help, we hope to inspire children to become lifelong readers!
Important information: This event is for Library members, and advance registration is required. Caregivers are expected to familiarize themselves with the Library Policy for Children and the Rules and Code of Conduct so that we can provide a pleasant library environment for all patrons. Questions about collections and programs for children and teens can be sent to the Library’s Children’s and Teens’ Services Manager, Celeste Rhoads: celeste@americanlibraryinparis.org.

Toddler Time (ages 1–3)
2026-03-26 11:00 - 11:30 | The American Library in Paris
This event for children ages 1–3 and their caregivers features 30 minutes of stories, songs, and rhymes. Stories presented during our Toddler Time programs include short picture books and board books such as How to Cheer Up a Friend by Stephanie Calmenson, illustrated by Shannon McNeill (pictured here), which will be featured during this session.
Toddler Time sessions are hosted by Children’s and Teens’ Services staff members, and include age-appropriate stories selected by the Library’s Children’s and Teens’ librarians. Enjoy stories, music, movement and rhymes and help develop your child’s early literacy skills. Stay for play and social time after the event.
The program is entirely in English, as are all of our events for children and teens. No translation will be provided. Each child must be accompanied by an adult chaperone, and chaperones are required to remain with their children for the duration of the program. Parents and caregivers are expected to sit with their children beside them, or in their laps, and participate in the program. We ask that all caregivers put away their phones and other electronic devices for the duration of this program. With your help, we hope to inspire children to become lifelong readers! Important information: This event is for Library members, and advance registration is required. Caregivers are expected to familiarize themselves with the Library Policy for Children and the Rules and Code of Conduct so that we can provide a pleasant library environment for all patrons. Questions about collections and programs for children and teens can be sent to the Library’s Children and Teens Services Manager, Celeste Rhoads: celeste@americanlibraryinparis.org.

[Patron Circle] From Collector to Curator: The Story of Isabella Stewart Gardner with Natalie Dykstra
2026-03-26 19:00 - 20:00 | The American Library in Paris
Join award-winning author Natalie Dykstra for a captivating journey into the life of Isabella Stewart Gardner, the visionary creator of the iconic Boston museum. From personal tragedy to glittering friendships, world travels, and a relentless passion for collecting, Gardner remade her life—and her museum—through art. Dykstra delves into the stories behind the masterpieces, objects, and curated spaces that transform the museum into a living memoir, offering a portrait of an American original whose legacy continues to inspire.
This event is reserved for Library Patron Circle members (formerly: Friends of the Library) and will be followed by a champagne cocktail apéro. If you’d like to join, please email giving@americanlibraryinparis.org.
About the speaker:
Natalie Dykstra is the author of Clover Adams: A Gilded and Heartbreaking Life, which won a National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Fellowship and was a finalist for the 2013 Massachusetts Book Award. Her recent book Chasing Beauty: The Life of Isabella Stewart Gardner has received a New England Society of New York Book Award and the Marfield Prize, the national award for arts writing. Her work has been supported by a Public Scholars grant from the NEH and an inaugural Robert Caro Research Fellowship from the Biographers International Organization. She has been an honorary fellow of the Massachusetts Historical Society since 2011 and is an emerita professor of English at Hope College. She lives with her husband near Boston. Important information: This is an event reserved for the Library’s Patron Circle members (formerly: Friends of the Library). The Patron Circle follows a yearly cycle beginning each September, bringing together our most committed supporters through a tiered donor programme. With giving levels for individuals and families, it invites those who wish to invest more deeply to enjoy exclusive access and meaningful recognition. Learn more about joining.
Attendance at this event constitutes permission for your photograph or video to be taken at the event and used by the American Library in Paris for marketing, promotional, pedagogical, or other purposes.

Teen Night: Adventure Role Play (ages 12–18)
2026-03-27 19:00 - 21:00 | The American Library in Paris
Interested in tabletop role-playing games? Role playing games offer a chance to sharpen your storytelling skills and have fun creating characters. Join us for a Friday night campaign TTRPG! We’ll have characters, mini-figures, dice, and an awesome story for you! The game offered during this event will be a short one-off, with no experience needed, and all materials will be provided.
This event will be hosted by Children’s and Teens’ Services Intern Tjasa Kmetec with support from Library staff and volunteers. T
Drinks and light snacks will be provided by the Library. Important information:
This event is free for Library members, and 15€ per teen for non-members. Advance registration is required. All visitors are expected to familiarize themselves with the Library Policy for Children and the Rules and Code of Conduct so that we can provide a pleasant library environment for all patrons. After-hours events for teens, such as Teen Nights, require a signed permission slip, which can be downloaded here. One permission slip is needed per academic year (September–July).
Questions about collections and programs for children and teens can be sent to the Library’s Children and Teens Services Manager, Celeste Rhoads: celeste@americanlibraryinparis.org.

Bilingual Storytime at Bibliothèque Georges Brassens (ages 3–7)
2026-03-28 11:00 - 12:00 | The American Library in Paris
Join Children’s and Teens’ Services Manager Celeste Rhoads and Assistant Children’s and Teens’ Services Librarian Laurine Lucie for a bilingual storytime in French and English at a Paris municipal library in the 14th arrondissement: Bibliothèque Georges Brassens. Laurine and Celeste will read several contemporary American picture books and lead the group in songs. This participatory program is intended to encourage children to actively engage with stories. Our librarians will read books and lead you and your little ones in songs and hand-rhymes during this live, interactive session. Participants should plan to join in, sing along, move around, and model movement and listening for your little one. We ask that all caregivers put away their phones and other electronic devices for the duration of this program. With your help, we hope to inspire children to become lifelong readers!
Library members and non-members are welcome to sign up by email directly with the team at Bibliothèque Georges Brassens: bibliotheque.georges-brassens@paris.fr or 01 53 90 30 30. Please be sure to mention the age of the children and the number of chaperones when registering.
Find out more here.

Important information: This event is for Library members, and advance registration is required. Caregivers are expected to familiarize themselves with the Library Policy for Children and the Rules and Code of Conduct so that we can provide a pleasant library environment for all patrons. Questions about collections and programs for children and teens can be sent to the Library’s Children’s and Teens’ Services Manager, Celeste Rhoads: celeste@americanlibraryinparis.org.

Story Hour: Look Up! (ages 3–5)
2026-04-01 14:30 - 15:30 | The American Library in Paris
For this program, join us for stories about noticing things around us! Stories featured in this event include picture books such as Bud Finds Her Gift by Robin Wall Kimmerer, illustrated by Naoko Stoop, Rocket Says Look Up! by Nathan Bryon, illustrated by Dapo Adeola (pictured here). We’ll also sing songs and practice rhymes.
This program is entirely in English, and no translation will be provided. This participatory program is intended to encourage children to actively engage with stories. Children’s and Teens’ Services staff members will read books and lead you and your little one in songs and hand-rhymes during a live, interactive session. Plan to join in, sing along, move around, and model movement and listening for your little one. We ask that all caregivers put away their phones and other electronic devices for the duration of this program. With your help, we hope to inspire children to become lifelong readers!
Important information: This event is for Library members, and advance registration is required. Caregivers are expected to familiarize themselves with the Library Policy for Children and the Rules and Code of Conduct so that we can provide a pleasant library environment for all patrons. Questions about collections and programs for children and teens can be sent to the Library’s Children’s and Teens’ Services Manager, Celeste Rhoads: celeste@americanlibraryinparis.org.

Toddler Time (ages 1–3)
2026-04-02 11:00 - 11:30 | The American Library in Paris
This event for children ages 1–3 and their caregivers features 30 minutes of stories, songs, and rhymes. Stories presented during our Toddler Time programs include short picture books and board books such as Chooch Helped by Andrea Rogers, illustrated by Rebecca Lee Kinz (pictured here), which will be featured during this session.
Toddler Time sessions are hosted by Children’s and Teens’ Services staff members, and include age-appropriate stories selected by the Library’s Children’s and Teens’ librarians. Enjoy stories, music, movement and rhymes and help develop your child’s early literacy skills. Stay for play and social time after the event.
The program is entirely in English, as are all of our events for children and teens. No translation will be provided. Each child must be accompanied by an adult chaperone, and chaperones are required to remain with their children for the duration of the program. Parents and caregivers are expected to sit with their children beside them, or in their laps, and participate in the program. We ask that all caregivers put away their phones and other electronic devices for the duration of this program. With your help, we hope to inspire children to become lifelong readers! Important information: This event is for Library members, and advance registration is required. Caregivers are expected to familiarize themselves with the Library Policy for Children and the Rules and Code of Conduct so that we can provide a pleasant library environment for all patrons. Questions about collections and programs for children and teens can be sent to the Library’s Children and Teens Services Manager, Celeste Rhoads: celeste@americanlibraryinparis.org.

Lies and Spies with Adam Gidwitz (ages 7–adult)
2026-04-04 14:00 - 15:30 | The American Library in Paris
“Espionage! Secrets! Suspense! If you’ve ever dreamed of being a spy, this book is for you.” -Alan Gratz, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Refugee and Projekt 1065
In Adam Gidwitz’s World War II spy novel, the main character, Max, is sent away from Berlin at the start of WWII, and he soon finds himself accompanied by two immortal creatures. Max must use all the skills at his disposal to work his way into training to become the youngest spy for Britain—in hopes of getting sent back to Berlin to be reunited with his parents. Adam Gidwitz combines fantasy, in-depth research into WWII, and humor to create an action-packed tale that became a New York Times bestseller, and was selected as a Wall Street Journal Best Books of the Year, Publishers Weekly Best Books of the Year, and School Library Journal Best Books of the Year. Join us as he shares how he combined history, magic, and his own characters to create this adventure story. Adam will take questions from the audience following his talk.
Library staff and fans will gather in person at the Library for this event, while Adam will connect with us from his home in New York.
Books will be available for purchase at the Library. Light snacks and drinks will be available for guests.
About Adam Gidwitz: Adam Gidwitz is the author of the bestseller A Tale Dark & Grimm and its companions, and the bestselling series The Unicorn Rescue Society along with the Newbery Honor book The Inquisitor’s Tale, the Unicorn Rescue Society series, and the WWII spy novels Max in the House of Spies and Max in the Land of Lies. He is also the creator and narrator of the award winning podcast Grimm, Grimmer, Grimmest, and he helped produce the Emmy-nominated animated adaptation of A Tale Dark & Grimm for Netflix. He lives in Brooklyn, NY with his wife, daughter, and a dog named Lucy Goosey. She is not the inspiration for the holy dog in The Inquisitor’s Tale because there is nothing even remotely holy about her. Still, she is a good dog. Find out more about Adam Gidwitz here.

Important information: The discussion will be available in person only. Please note this event will be in English and no translation will be provided. This event is for Library members, and advance registration is required. Attendees are expected to familiarize themselves with the Library Policy for Children and the Rules and Code of Conduct so that we can provide a pleasant library environment for all patrons.

Story Hour: In the Dark (ages 3–5)
2026-04-08 14:30 - 15:30 | The American Library in Paris
For this program, join us for stories about darkness, dark forests, and animals that come out at night! Stories featured in this event include picture books such as The Night is Yours by Abdul-Razak Zachariah, illustrated by Ketura A. Bobo, In the Dark by Lemony Snicket, illustrated by Jon Klassen (pictured here). We’ll also sing songs and practice rhymes.
This program is entirely in English, and no translation will be provided. This participatory program is intended to encourage children to actively engage with stories. Children’s and Teens’ Services staff members will read books and lead you and your little one in songs and hand-rhymes during a live, interactive session. Plan to join in, sing along, move around, and model movement and listening for your little one. We ask that all caregivers put away their phones and other electronic devices for the duration of this program. With your help, we hope to inspire children to become lifelong readers!
Important information: This event is for Library members, and advance registration is required. Caregivers are expected to familiarize themselves with the Library Policy for Children and the Rules and Code of Conduct so that we can provide a pleasant library environment for all patrons. Questions about collections and programs for children and teens can be sent to the Library’s Children’s and Teens’ Services Manager, Celeste Rhoads: celeste@americanlibraryinparis.org.

Art Becomes Writing Becomes Art with Rachel Cohen
2026-04-08 19:30 - 20:30 | The American Library in Paris
In this hybrid talk and interview, writer and critic Rachel Cohen traces patterns of influence between visual artists and writers, drawing on her 2004 book A Chance Meeting and her current research. Moving between figures from modernism to the present, she explores how ideas pass back and forth across forms.
About the speaker:
Rachel Cohen is the author of Austen Years: A Memoir in Five Novels, Bernard Berenson: A Life in the Picture Trade, and A Chance Meeting: American Encounters, reissued by New York Review of Books Classics in 2024. Her essays have appeared in the New Yorker, the NYRB, the Believer, The Yale Review, and Best American Essays, among others. A recipient of the Berlin Prize, Cohen is a fellow at the American Academy in Berlin in 2026, researching her next book Time in Pieces: Artists at Work. She is Professor of Practice in the Arts at the University of Chicago. Important information: The discussion will be available both online and in person. While the conversation will happen in person (the speakers will appear in the Reading Room), the Library will stream the conversation on Zoom for a live viewing experience. Both in-person and online attendees will be able to pose questions.
Attendance at this event constitutes permission for your photograph or video to be taken at the event and used by the American Library in Paris for marketing, promotional, pedagogical, or other purposes.
Evenings with an Author are free and open to the public (with a 10€ suggested donation)
thanks to the generous support of GRoW @ Annenberg.

Teen Night: Movies Based on Books (ages 12–18)
2026-04-10 19:00 - 21:00 | The American Library in Paris
Vote on the film to you’d like to watch when you register for this event. Participate in book and movie trivia at the start of the evening, then settle in with popcorn and enjoy a screening in the Library’s comfortable reading room. We’ll discuss the film as a group at the end of the night. This event will be hosted by Children’s and Teens’ Services Manager Celeste Rhoads and Children’s and Teens’ Services Intern Tjasa Kmetec.
Drinks and light snacks will be provided, as well as lots of popcorn. Important information:
This event is free for Library members, and 15€ per teen for non-members. Advance registration is required. All visitors are expected to familiarize themselves with the Library Policy for Children and the Rules and Code of Conduct so that we can provide a pleasant library environment for all patrons. After-hours events for teens, such as Teen Nights, require a signed permission slip, which can be downloaded here. One permission slip is needed per academic year (September–July).
Questions about collections and programs for children and teens can be sent to the Library’s Children and Teens Services Manager, Celeste Rhoads: celeste@americanlibraryinparis.org.

Talent Showcase (ages 5–12)
2026-04-11 11:00 - 12:30 | The American Library in Paris
Can you recite poetry by heart?
Do you play the violin?
Can you juggle?
Do you know how to stand on your head?
If you have a talent that you can perform in three minutes or less, sign up to take the stage!
Share your talent with friends, family, and Library members during this special talent showcase, or enjoy learning about the talents of other kids in the community during this special event! If you would like to show off a talent, please make sure that you can provide all materials needed.
This activity is entirely in English, and no translation will be provided. All participants must be able to understand and speak English in order to participate in the program. Caregivers and parents of young children are encouraged to participate in this event with their children. Children between the ages 6–12 may participate in Library programs on their own, while their chaperone remains inside the Library.
This event will be hosted by Children’s and Teens’ Services staff with the help of and volunteers.

Make Great Money During College: hosted by Richard Montauk (ages 14–adult)
2026-04-11 14:00 - 15:30 | The American Library in Paris
A majority of students work while attending college in the U.S. Surprisingly, working up to about 20 hours per week in college is correlated with higher grades, higher graduation rates, and shorter time to degree. However, most students earn little more than minimum wage at dead-end jobs (including in “work-study” jobs). This presentation, based on Richard Montauk’s forthcoming book, examines some of the most lucrative ways to work during college.
Learn about a dozen jobs that pay particularly well, and explore:

What the job pays
What it takes to perform
How to get started
How to find the work
How to balance work and school
How to get ahead

Along the way, find out about networking, applications, making oneself more employable, freelancing, and using one’s job(s) to further post-graduation careers. Substantial time will be available—during and at the end of the presentation—for questions.
About Richard Montauk: Richard Montauk is the author of a series of best-selling guides, all published by Prentice Hall, including How to Get Into the Top Colleges and How to Get Into the Top MBA Programs. His most recent books include College Interviews: The Definitive Guide and Getting into Brown: Successful Applicants’ Essays, Resumes, and Interviews. He received a BA in literature from Brown University, an MA in government from Harvard, an MS in finance, and a JD from Stanford Law School. Pursuant to a graduate fellowship, he also studied at the London School of Economics and the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (University of London). After graduating from Stanford, Richard worked as a corporate lawyer for Latham & Watkins in Los Angeles, then as a corporate strategy consultant for Bain & Co. in London, before devoting himself full-time to admissions consulting. Since 1991, he has consulted to candidates for the world’s top universities, for both undergraduate and graduate programs. He can be reached through his website: www.richardmontauk.com. Important information:
This event is for Library members, and advance registration is required. All visitors are expected to familiarize themselves with the Library Policy for Children and the Rules and Code of Conduct so that we can provide a pleasant library environment for all patrons.
Questions about collections and programs for children and teens can be sent to the Library’s Children’s and Teens’ Services Manager, Celeste Rhoads: celeste@americanlibraryinparis.org.

Bon Appétit: A Staged Reading with Brenda Withers
2026-04-14 19:30 - 20:30 | The American Library in Paris
Eighty years ago, a bold and inquisitive woman arrived in Paris, fell in love with its flavors, and went on to change the world through food and cultural exchange. In this staged reading, acclaimed playwright and scholar Brenda Withers shares an excerpt from her new musical-in-progress on the life and legacy of Julia Child.
Focusing on her formative postwar years in France—from her training at Le Cordon Bleu to the meals and friendships that shaped Mastering the Art of French Cooking—the piece offers an intimate portrait of a Julia before fame, discovering her calling. This reading will bring together professional actors and non-actors alike, in the spirit of Child’s enduring belief that anyone can cook.
About the performers:
Brenda Withers is a playwright, theater artist, and founding member of the Harbor Stage Company on Cape Cod. Her plays (The Ding Dongs, Off Peak, Matt & Ben) have been produced Off Broadway and across the United States and have earned her the Clauder Prize, an Edgerton Award, and the Modern Works Festival grand prize. She has enjoyed residencies with New Georges, the Camargo Foundation, and the Huntington Theatre. Brenda is a lyricist with BMI’s Advanced Musical Theatre Workshop, a graduate of Dartmouth College, and a beach person.
Tercelin Kirtley is a Franco-American actor based in Paris, having grown up in the United States and Africa. On stage, he has performed Shakespeare, Brecht, Molière, and Tennessee Williams, in both French and English. At the Opéra Garnier, he portrayed Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream by Benjamin Britten, and appeared as the Celestial Friend in Carousel at the Théâtre du Châtelet. In Australia, he played Jesus in Ben-Hur, directed by Robert Hossein. In Uzès, he brought The Diaries of Nijinsky to the stage as part of the Dance Festival. On screen, he portrays an American film director in Roma Elastica by Bertrand Mandico, soon to be released. Alongside his acting work, he writes and performs his own songs on acoustic guitar, inspired by folk and Celtic traditions.
Bibi Jacob is British and has been working as a bilingual voiceover artist in Paris for over sixteen years. Her voice is used for adverts, corporate films, museum audio guides, documentaries, radio plays and video games. She also hosts the podcasts Tales of the Night Sky and Late Night Classics.
Our performers from our Library community will feature: Avighna Anand, Gabrielle Hallet, and Erica Johnson. Important information: The discussion will be available in person only and will not be recorded.
Attendance at this event constitutes permission for your photograph or video to be taken at the event and used by the American Library in Paris for marketing, promotional, pedagogical, or other purposes.
Evenings with an Author are free and open to the public (with a 10€ suggested donation)
thanks to the generous support of GRoW @ Annenberg.

Story Hour: Sail the Seas (ages 3–5)
2026-04-15 14:30 - 15:30 | The American Library in Paris
For this program, join us for stories about pirates, sailors and other seafarers! Stories featured in this event include picture books such as Sail Away Dragon Barbara Joosse, illustrated by Randy Cecil (pictured here). We’ll also sing songs and practice rhymes.
This program is entirely in English, and no translation will be provided. This participatory program is intended to encourage children to actively engage with stories. Children’s and Teens’ Services staff members will read books and lead you and your little one in songs and hand-rhymes during a live, interactive session. Plan to join in, sing along, move around, and model movement and listening for your little one. We ask that all caregivers put away their phones and other electronic devices for the duration of this program. With your help, we hope to inspire children to become lifelong readers!
Important information: This event is for Library members, and advance registration is required. Caregivers are expected to familiarize themselves with the Library Policy for Children and the Rules and Code of Conduct so that we can provide a pleasant library environment for all patrons. Questions about collections and programs for children and teens can be sent to the Library’s Children’s and Teens’ Services Manager, Celeste Rhoads: celeste@americanlibraryinparis.org.

Toddler Time (ages 1–3)
2026-04-16 11:00 - 11:30 | The American Library in Paris
This event for children ages 1–3 and their caregivers features 30 minutes of stories, songs, and rhymes. Stories presented during our Toddler Time programs include short picture books and board books such as Bunny Loves Beans by Jane Whittingham and Miffy the Artist by Dick Bruna (pictured here), which will be featured during this session.
Toddler Time sessions are hosted by Children’s and Teens’ Services staff members, and include age-appropriate stories selected by the Library’s Children’s and Teens’ librarians. Enjoy stories, music, movement and rhymes and help develop your child’s early literacy skills. Stay for play and social time after the event.
The program is entirely in English, as are all of our events for children and teens. No translation will be provided. Each child must be accompanied by an adult chaperone, and chaperones are required to remain with their children for the duration of the program. Parents and caregivers are expected to sit with their children beside them, or in their laps, and participate in the program. We ask that all caregivers put away their phones and other electronic devices for the duration of this program. With your help, we hope to inspire children to become lifelong readers! Important information: This event is for Library members, and advance registration is required. Caregivers are expected to familiarize themselves with the Library Policy for Children and the Rules and Code of Conduct so that we can provide a pleasant library environment for all patrons. Questions about collections and programs for children and teens can be sent to the Library’s Children and Teens Services Manager, Celeste Rhoads: celeste@americanlibraryinparis.org.

Saturday Series: Dollars and Cents (ages 6–12)
2026-04-18 11:00 - 12:00 | The American Library in Paris
Learn about the different types of circulating currencies (kinds of money) from around the world, and the denominations of American currency, then practice adding, counting, and changing money as a group. This event will wrap up with a hunt for pretend dollars and cents around the Library.
This activity is entirely in English, and no translation will be provided. All participants must be able to understand and speak English in order to participate in the program. Caregivers and parents of young children are encouraged to participate in this event with their children. Children between the ages 6–12 may participate in Library programs on their own, while their chaperone remains inside the Library.
This event will be hosted by Children’s and Teens’ Services Manager Celeste Rhoads with the help of volunteers.
Important information: This event is for Library members, and advance registration is required. Caregivers are expected to familiarize themselves with the Library Policy for Children and the Rules and Code of Conduct so that we can provide a pleasant library environment for all patrons. Questions about collections and programs for children and teens can be sent to the Library’s Children and Teens Services Manager, Celeste Rhoads: celeste@americanlibraryinparis.org.

Gertrude Stein’s Paris: A Walking Tour with Francesca Wade
2026-04-20 10:30 - 11:30 | The American Library in Paris
Tickets will be raffled to the Library’s newsletter subscribers. Sign up for e-Libris and keep an eye on your inbox for full details. From her storied salon on rue de Fleurus to the streets that sparked a revolution in art and letters, trace the world of Gertrude Stein with acclaimed biographer Francesca Wade, author of Gertrude Stein: An Afterlife. Along the way, Wade brings Stein’s Paris vividly to life—her radical experiments in language, her legendary salon, and the artists and writers who gathered in her orbit. We’ll conclude at a private residence for coffee and tea, where guests will have the opportunity to view a rare treasure from the Library’s archives.
About the speakers:
Francesca Wade is the author of Square Haunting: Five Women, Freedom and London Between the Wars (2020), which was longlisted for the Baillie Gifford Prize and shortlisted for the RSL Ondaatje Prize. She has received fellowships from the Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Center for Scholars and Writers at the New York Public Library, the Leon Levy Center for Biography and the Harvard Radcliffe Institute. Her work has appeared in the New York Review of Books, London Review of Books, Paris Review, Granta and other places. She lives in London. Important information: This event will take place offsite and will involve walking. Meeting point details will be sent via email in advance.
Attendance at this event constitutes permission for your photograph or video to be taken at the event and used by the American Library in Paris for marketing, promotional, pedagogical, or other purposes.
Evenings with an Author are free and open to the public (with a 10€ suggested donation)
thanks to the generous support of GRoW @ Annenberg.

Story Hour: Waste Not, Want Not (ages 3–5)
2026-04-22 14:30 - 15:30 | The American Library in Paris
For this program, join us for stories both factual and fictional about recycling and repurposing! Stories featured in this event include picture books such as We Are Extremely Very Good Recyclers by Lauren Child, and 10 Things I Can Do to Help My World by Melanie Walsh (pictured here). We’ll also sing songs and practice rhymes.
This program is entirely in English, and no translation will be provided. This participatory program is intended to encourage children to actively engage with stories. Children’s and Teens’ Services staff members will read books and lead you and your little one in songs and hand-rhymes during a live, interactive session. Plan to join in, sing along, move around, and model movement and listening for your little one. We ask that all caregivers put away their phones and other electronic devices for the duration of this program. With your help, we hope to inspire children to become lifelong readers!
Important information: This event is for Library members, and advance registration is required. Caregivers are expected to familiarize themselves with the Library Policy for Children and the Rules and Code of Conduct so that we can provide a pleasant library environment for all patrons. Questions about collections and programs for children and teens can be sent to the Library’s Children’s and Teens’ Services Manager, Celeste Rhoads: celeste@americanlibraryinparis.org.

A Poetry Reading with Alice Oswald
2026-04-22 19:30 - 20:30 | The American Library in Paris
An intimate evening of poetry unfolds among the Library’s stacks. Alice Oswald, author of several acclaimed collections and former Oxford Professor of Poetry, will read from past and recent work.
In partnership with the Institute for Ideas and Imagination, this evening offers the chance to encounter poems by one of Britain’s most distinctive contemporary poets in the Library’s stacks, inviting us to pause—and to listen.
About the speaker:
Alice Oswald lives in Devon and has worked as a gardener and poet. She has a particular interest in oral and anonymous poetry and has published three anthologies and seven poetry collections, including Dart, Memorial, and Falling Awake. Among her distinctions are the Griffin Poetry Prize and the Ted Hughes Award for New Work in Poetry. From 2019 to 2023, she was the Oxford Professor in Poetry.
Alice is currently a 2025/2026 Fellow at the Institute for Ideas and Imagination.
Important information: The discussion will be available in person only and will not be recorded.
Attendance at this event constitutes permission for your photograph or video to be taken at the event and used by the American Library in Paris for marketing, promotional, pedagogical, or other purposes.
Evenings with an Author are free and open to the public (with a 10€ suggested donation)
thanks to the generous support of GRoW @ Annenberg.

Teen Night: Capture the Flag (ages 12–18)
2026-04-24 19:00 - 21:00 | The American Library in Paris
Join us for a game of capture the flag on the Champ de Mars (weather permitting). We’ll meet at the Library to divide into teams and go over the rules of the game, then we’ll set out as a group to the Champ de Mars to play the game outdoors. We’ll be playing in two teams. A member of the Children’s and Teens’ Services staff will participate on each team.
In the case of light rain, we’ll go ahead and play. In the event of heavy rain or storms, we’ll move the event inside. You are welcome to call the Children’s and Teens’ Services Desk directly for an update before the event. Parents/guardians can pick up participating teens at the Library at 21h00 Important information:
This event is free for Library members, and 15€ per teen for non-members. Advance registration is required. All visitors are expected to familiarize themselves with the Library Policy for Children and the Rules and Code of Conduct so that we can provide a pleasant library environment for all patrons. After-hours events for teens, such as Teen Nights, require a signed permission slip, which can be downloaded here. One permission slip is needed per academic year (September–July).
Questions about collections and programs for children and teens can be sent to the Library’s Children’s and Teens’ Services Manager, Celeste Rhoads: celeste@americanlibraryinparis.org.
