** New Season 2011-2012 * *

First Wednesdays Humanities

Lecture Series Hosted by Nine Libraries Around Vermont

First Wednesdays Brochure/Schedule (pdf)

This eclectic lecture series offers talks in nine towns on the first Wednesday of the month, October through May. Topics are varied, timely, timeless, thought-provoking, and fun.

The tenth season of First Wednesdays begins October 5 at locations listed to the right. Since its beginning in 2002 at the Kellogg-Hubbard Library in Montpelier, First Wednesdays has expanded to nine sites within or near most of Vermont’s population centers. (In 2011-2012, First Wednesdays in Chittenden County moves to Essex Junction from its original location in Burlington.)

The free lectures draw nationally and regionally renowned authors, artists, scholars, and public figures who speak on diverse topics before audiences sometimes numbering several hundred people.

All First Wednesdays talks are free and open to the public, held at libraries and other venues in the host communities.

The new season features speakers such as PBS filmmaker Ken Burns (Brattleboro, January 4), preeminent Lincoln historian Harold Holzer (Norwich, May 2), Williams College professor Zirka Filipczak (Middlebury, October 5), New York Times Chief Washington Correspondent David Sanger (Essex Junction, December 7), bestselling author Sy Montgomery (Montpelier, December 7), filmmaker Mary McDonagh Murphy (Manchester, December 7), scientist and author Amy Seidl (Newport, March 7), opera expert Peter Fox Smith (St. Johnsbury, October 5), and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder expert Dr. Edward Tick (Rutland, December 7).

First Wednesdays talks always include a question and answer time, offering a chance for the audience to interact with the speaker. The talks bring vitality and the opportunity for lifelong learning to Vermont’s communities.

2011-2012 First Wednesdays Statewide Sponsor:

Vermont Department of Libraries (First Wednesdays is supported in part by the Institute of Museum & Library Services through the Vermont Department of Libraries)

Listen to First Wednesdays on VPR or watch on CCTV

Vermont Public Radio and CCTV have covered several First Wednesdays talks. See a listing of talks available at VPR Presents and on the CCTV site. Listen, watch, download, or find out more information.