Hutchinson Public Library

Art in Flight: Reinventing Postmodernism with Smithsonian Curator Carolyn Russo (Virtual Author Talk)
2026-10-08 13:00 - 14:00 (America/Chicago)
Register Here

Join us for a captivating online conversation with acclaimed author and Smithsonian curator Carolyn Russo as we dive into her fascinating book, The Ascent of Rauschenberg. Explore the towering legacy, unexpected inspirations, and creative heights of one of America’s most influential artistic icons.
Most famous for his groundbreaking “Combines”—painting and sculpture hybrids that often incorporated everyday objects—American artist Robert Rauschenberg (1925-2008) created within a range of mediums, including collage, performance, photography, and printmaking. But a connective tissue through it all was his fascination with flight. The Ascent of Rauschenberg explores the flight motif across his work, spanning birds, insects, aviation, spaceflight, sensory experiences, and metaphors for his own life.
More than 150 images reveal the vibrant scope of his work, from lithographs inspired by the Apollo 11 launch that NASA invited him to witness and document, to a Combine featuring a taxidermied eagle that evokes Roman mythology. Nine accompanying essays reflect on his many flight themes and subtleties that might otherwise be overlooked. The book also includes archival photographs and personal papers from the Robert Rauschenberg Foundation.
Register now for the chance to view art history through the unique prism of flight.
About the Author:
Carolyn Russo is curator of the art collection at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum. She has lectured internationally on the subject of art and flight and is the author of several publications including The Ascent of Rauschenberg: Reinventing the Art of Flight, Art of the Airport Tower, In Plane View: Abstractions of Flight, and Women and Flight: Portraits of Contemporary Women Pilots.

The views expressed by presenters are their own and their appearance in a program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by Hutchinson Public Library.

Virtual Author Talk with David Epstein
2026-10-13 13:00 - 14:00 (America/Chicago) | Hutchinson Public Library- Virtual
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Join us for an inspiring virtual conversation with bestselling author David Epstein as we explore his latest book, Inside the Box, and redefine how to approach our greatest challenges!
We are constantly told to “think outside the box” to innovate, solve complex problems, and reach our goals. But what if the secret to true breakthrough creativity and peak performance actually lies in working within our limitations? In Inside the Box, David Epstein draws on science, research, and fascinating real-world case studies to demonstrate how constraints, boundaries, and structure can become powerful catalysts for ingenuity and mastery. Epstein challenges traditional ideas about skill acquisition, focus, and problem-solving, revealing how top performers and innovators across industries turn rigid limits into unmatched strengths.
Register now to learn how to reframe everyday obstacles and apply science-backed performance strategies to your career and personal life.

About the Author:
David Epstein is the author of three New York Times bestsellers — The Sports Gene, Range, and most recently Inside the Box: How Constraints Make Us Better. He was previously an investigative reporter at ProPublica, and before that a senior writer at Sports Illustrated. Prior to becoming a writer, he was living in a tent in the Arctic training to become an environmental scientist. Like many of the characters in Range, he has had a winding career path.

The views expressed by presenters are their own and their appearance in a program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by Hutchinson Public Library.

For the Record - Books + Music Club
2026-10-13 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-11-10 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-12-08 18:00 - 19:00, 2027-01-12 18:00 - 19:00, 2027-02-09 18:00 - 19:00 (America/Chicago)
For the Record is a place for music lovers to gather and share their love of both reading about and listening to music. Join us for a monthly meetup on the second Tuesday of the month at 6:00PM. We dive into the stories behind iconic musicians and albums, while sharing our favorite tracks and newest record finds. We read the 33 1/3 series. These are short books, each about a different musician and album. We explore a new one each month with a discussion about the book, album and the music that moves us. Whether you are a vinyl enthusiast or just passionate about discovering new sounds, For the Record offers a fun and welcoming space to connect.

We meet every month except for September.
Visit our Adults page to see what we are reading this month. Books are available for check out at the Public Service desk.

Talk Together Tuesday
2026-10-20 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-11-17 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-12-15 18:00 - 19:00, 2027-01-19 18:00 - 19:00 (America/Chicago)
A multi-lingual social event where you can practice any language you are learning in a real-world conversational environment.
This is a friendly place to meet neighbors, share stories, and celebrate languages from around the world. Enjoy light refreshments and group activities. it’s a lively mix if language, laughter, and learning!
Have questions? Reach out to Adult Education and Literacy Services by calling us at 620-663-5441 or emailing adulteducation@hutchpl.org

Salt City Readers
2026-10-21 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-11-18 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-12-16 18:00 - 19:00, 2027-01-20 18:00 - 19:00 UTC | Hutchinson Public Library, 901 N Main St, Hutchinson, KS, 67501, United States
Let’s talk about books! We explore a variety of fiction genres each month!
Salt City Readers meets every third Wednesday each month.
Check out the books at the Public Service Desk or on Cloud Library!

Strange New Words Science Fiction Book Club
2026-10-22 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-11-26 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-12-24 18:00 - 19:00, 2027-01-28 18:00 - 19:00 (America/Chicago) | Sandhills Brewing, 111 West 2nd Ave., Hutchinson, KS, 67501, United States
Strange New Words will take you on a literary journey through time and space with friends! This book club meets at the library every other month on the fourth Thursday at 6:00PM. Together, we’ll explore new and thought-provoking realms that shed light on the complexities of the human experience—often through unexpected perspectives. Whether you’re a seasoned sci-fi enthusiast or just beginning to explore the genre, Strange New Words offers a welcoming space for rich discussion, discovery, and connection. Join us as we navigate the unknown and unravel stories that challenge, entertain, and inspire.

Tech-Share Meetup
2026-10-24 14:00 - 18:00, 2026-11-28 14:00 - 18:00, 2026-12-26 14:00 - 18:00, 2027-01-23 14:00 - 18:00 (America/Chicago) | Hutchinson Public Library, 901 N Main St, Hutchinson, KS, 67501, United States
Tech-Share MeetupGot questions about your phone, tablet, laptop, or other tech gadgets? Bring them to the Tech-Share Meetup! Whether you’re troubleshooting an issue, learning a new app, or just curious about how something works, we’re here to help. This friendly, drop-in session is a great place to get one-on-one assistance, share tips, and learn together in a supportive environment. All ages and skill levels are welcome—just bring your questions and your device!

Mystery Mavens
2026-10-27 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-11-24 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-12-22 18:00 - 19:00, 2027-01-26 18:00 - 19:00 UTC | Hutchinson Public Library, 901 N Main St, Hutchinson, KS, 67501, United States
6:00 pm
Sun Room
Mystery Mavens meet on the fourth Tuesday of every month. If you are interested in obtaining a copy of this month’s book and participating in a discussion, please contact adult.program.coordinator@hutchpl.org or call 620-663-5441 ext. 123

Is the Book Always Better? Book + Movie Discussion
2026-11-09 18:00 - 19:00, 2027-01-11 18:00 - 19:00, 2027-02-08 18:00 - 19:00 (America/Chicago)
Whether you love or hate film adaptations of your favorite stories, this book club is the place to have an exciting conversation about books, casting choices, plot changes, cinematography, and more! We meet every other month with a new title each time. Joining is easy! Check out the book for the “Is the Book Always Better?” book club at the public service desk.
