Join us for upcoming events, classes and programs at Hudson Library & Historical Society! All events are free and open to the public.
Registration required where noted. Did you miss a program? Check out our past event podcasts and videos.
Thursday, Mar. 21, 2 p.m.
Learn how to take your Microsoft Excel skills to the next level with our Advanced Excel workshop. During this hands-on class, explore features in Microsoft Excel that will allow you to extrapolate and analyze data. Specific tools include data validation, VLOOKUP, and how to work across multiple worksheets and pivot tables. Participants must have taken previous library Excel classes or be very comfortable using Excel.
Saturday, Mar. 23, 1 p.m.
Join us for a virtual author event with bestselling author Philippa Gregory, who will discuss her newest book, Normal Women. The book chronicles centuries of social and cultural change—from 1066 to modern times—powered by the determination, persistence, and effectiveness of women. Kirkus Reviews opines, “Gregory brings her extensive knowledge of women in society over the centuries to . . . [this] tour de force of research.”
Tuesday, Mar. 26, 7 p.m.
On March 26, 7 pm The Hudson Library’s Goblins & Galaxies, a Science Fiction and Fantasy Book Club will meet to discuss, The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern. The story revolves around a magical competition between two magicians, Celia and Marco, who are bound by their mentors to a lifelong duel. Kirkus Reviews calls it "[s]elf-assured, entertaining debut novel that blends genres and crosses continents in quest of magic."
Wednesday, Mar. 27, 2 p.m.
All individuals interested in using the Hudson Library & Historical Society’s Creativity Lab to independently record their own video projects must first complete this mandatory one-hour orientation training session. During orientation training, learn about the Creativity Lab’s policies and best practices on how to use the video production equipment. Upon completion of the orientation program, participants may register for a two-hour independent session, where they can create their own content.
Wednesday, Mar. 27, 6:30 p.m.
Join us as bestselling cookbook author and chef, Cara Mangini visits to discuss her latest cookbook, The Vegetable Eater: The New Playbook for Cooking Vegetarian. Following the success of her first book, The Vegetable Butcher, Mangini continues to show just how easy it is to make delicious vegetable-forward meals. In addition to over 100 recipes, The Vegetable Eater, also contains some of Mangini’s best vegetable tips on preparations, when to buy fresh vs canned and much more. The New York Times said “Mangini enlightens. Especially if your idea of a successful cookbook is one that teaches you lessons you can apply elsewhere, long after you've filed the book on the kitchen self.” Mangini will also be demonstrating a dish from The Vegetable Eater.
Thursday, Mar. 28, 2 p.m.
New AI tools and platforms are launching every day. Discover how to use the most popular and powerful AI tools currently available to freely use. This class will focus on generative AI tools including ChatGPT, Dall-E2, ElevenLabs and more. These tools allow you to find answers to basic questions, create art using simple text commands, transform static images into dynamic scenes, create or replicate voices, and generate ideas for content generation. Basic mouse and keyboard skills are required if you want to participate during the lecture.
Tuesday, Apr. 2, 6:30 p.m.
Join us for an in-person author event with historian and professor Christopher Heaney, who will discuss his new book Empires of the Dead. Empires of the Dead explains how "ancient Peruvians" became the single largest population in the Smithsonian and many other museums in Peru, the Americas, and beyond. This event is part of the library’s Peru travel month programming series throughout the month of April.
Thursday, Apr. 4, 10 a.m.
Join the Hudson Library & Historical Society for an in-person nature presentation with naturalist Janean Curfman from Summit Metro Parks, who will explore the incredible world of native plants and the vital role they play in sustaining our planet’s biodiversity. Gain practical knowledge on how to incorporate native plants into your own yard and learn about the park’s “Wild Back Yards” incentive program. Wildflower seeds will be available to take home, while supplies last.
Thursday, Apr. 4, 6:30 p.m.
Actress and New York Times bestselling author Valerie Bertinelli returns to the library for an in-person author event where she will discuss her latest cookbook, Indulge. This new book is a warmhearted invitation to enjoy food, and more importantly, life, with over 100 recipes to nourish the body and soul.
Thursday, Apr. 4, 6:30 p.m.
*PLEASE NOTE: You are registering for the LIVE SIMULCAST of the program, which will take place in the Teen Room next door. Everyone is invited to the book signing and reception after the program.
Actress and New York Times bestselling author Valerie Bertinelli returns to the library for an in-person author event where she will discuss her latest cookbook, Indulge. This new book is a warmhearted invitation to enjoy food, and more importantly, life, with over 100 recipes to nourish the body and soul.
Saturday, Apr. 6, 10:00 a.m.
This is a one-time special streaming event that will not be recorded.
Virtually explore one of the new 7 Wonders of the World, Machu Picchu, Peru, with tour guide, Michael Lazo Gamarra, as part of the Hudson Library’s Tour of Peru programming series. Travel virtually into the tropical forest of the Andes Mountains to learn more about the history, culture, and philosophy of this ancient Inca civilization. This historic sanctuary is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Tuesday, Apr. 9, 2 p.m.
All individuals interested in using the Hudson Library & Historical Society’s Creativity Lab to independently record their own podcast or audio projects must first complete this mandatory one-hour orientation training session. During orientation training, learn about the Creativity Lab’s policies and best practices on how to use the audio production equipment. Upon completion of the orientation program, participants may register for a two-hour independent session, where they can create their own content.
Thursday, Apr. 11, 2 p.m.
Whether you’re looking to make a video for friends and family, your small business, or just for fun, video editing helps make your final product look much more professional and polished. Learn the basic principles behind video editing using the widely popular cloud-based editor, CapCut. Designed to be a robust tool that can work either in a web browser or through a free Windows desktop program, users can upload video footage, splice clips together, create effects, add captions, include background music, and much more. During this class participants will use a variety of “stock footage” clips created by the instructor to create their own short montage. Strong mouse and keyboard skills are essential for this class.
Saturday, Apr. 13, 10-11:30 a.m. (Saturdays, April 13 & 20, 10-11:30 a.m. )
Learn both the technical and aesthetic aspects of digital imaging during this two-part digital photography workshop with commercial photographer Steve Manchook. Whether your camera is a $200 point-and-shoot or $1000 D-SLR, this class will begin with must-know basics of digital photography including ISO settings, shutter and aperture controls, lens selection, common camera features and their applications. This program is generously funded by the Tom Hauser Arts & Humanities Series.
Monday, Apr. 15, 6:30 p.m.
Discover the story of Isabella Stewart Gardner—creator of one of America’s most stunning museums—an American original whose own life was remade by art. Join the library for an in-person author event with Natalie Dykstra, who will discuss her book Chasing Beauty.
Monday, Apr. 15, 7 p.m.
Please note this is not an author program but rather a (fun) book club discussion with other book worms.
The virtual book club will discuss Thrity Umrigar’s immersive family story, The Museum of Failures. Umrigar’s latest novel explores the fraught and delicate relationship between a mother and grown son and the power of forgiveness. BookRiot applauds The Museum of Failures saying, “This book has the power to break and make you, in equal measure, an ode to Thrity Umrigar’s calibre”.
Thrity will be making an in-person appearance at the Hudson Library to discuss this book and her career on Wednesday, April 17 at 6:30 p.m. This book discussion and author event is in recognition of the Celebrating Ohio Book Awards & Authors (COBAA) LSTA grant program.
Tuesday, Apr. 16, 10 a.m.
Join museum educators from the Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University for a live discussion on the Art of Peru as part of the library's "Tour of Peru" month. Through the use of art from the museum’s collection, explore featured works from The Art of the Americas collection, one of Nasher Museum’s largest holdings.
The museum's Art of the Americas collection features ceramics, textiles, metalwork, and carvings produced by ancient cultures across what is known as present-day Peru. These objects reveal the diverse and sophisticated artmaking techniques through which ancient Peruvians expressed ancestral beliefs and personal and political identities. This is a one-time special streaming event that will not be recorded.
Wednesday, Apr. 17, 6:30 p.m.
Bestselling author and Cleveland resident Thrity Umrigar will discuss her newest book The Museum of Failures, which has been named Amazon’s Best Book of the Month. Publisher’s Weekly opines, “[A] rich and emotionally gripping story about familial love and the destructive power of secrets...Umrigar continues to impress.” This author event is in recognition of the Celebrating Ohio Book Awards & Authors (COBAA) LSTA grant program.
Saturday, Apr. 20, 10-11:30 a.m.
In the second session of this two-part digital photography workshop, commercial photographer Steve Manchook will cover composition, lighting and other rules and tips for taking images that transcend snapshots will be covered. This program is generously funded by the Tom Hauser Arts & Humanities Series.
Monday, Apr. 22, 7 p.m.
Discover the unbelievable saga of the scientists – men and women – who changed underwater exploration forever with biomedical engineer and blast-injury specialist, Dr. Rachel Lance. She will discuss her new book Chamber Divers, which uncovers a story that has been buried in classified records for a generation. Publisher’s Weekly opines, “A riveting account of the daredevil Allied researchers who made advances in underwater warfare possible during WWII…Propulsively narrated and full of moments of astonishing sacrifice, this brings a remarkable history to light.”