Skip to main content
close
Font size options
Increase or decrease the font size for this website by clicking on the 'A's.
Contrast options
Choose a color combination to give the most comfortable contrast.

Virtual Author Talk

David Brooks - "How To Know a Person"

2026-01-13 14:00:00 2026-01-13 15:00:00 America/New_York Virtual Author Talk Join us for an online discussion with the prominent cultural writer and bestselling author on his latest book about the art and science of human connection. Streamed live. Westlake Porter Public Library - Online

Tuesday, January 13
2:00pm - 3:00pm

Add to Calendar 2026-01-13 14:00:00 2026-01-13 15:00:00 America/New_York Virtual Author Talk Join us for an online discussion with the prominent cultural writer and bestselling author on his latest book about the art and science of human connection. Streamed live. Westlake Porter Public Library - Online

Join us for an online discussion with the prominent cultural writer and bestselling author on his latest book about the art and science of human connection. Streamed live.

David Brooks will discuss his book, How to Know a Person: The Art of Seeing Others Deeply, in which he helps us pose essential questions: If you want to know a person, what kind of attention should you cast on them? What kind of conversations should you have? What parts of a person’s story should you pay attention to?

Driven by his trademark sense of curiosity and determination to grow as a person, Brooks draws from the fields of psychology and neuroscience and the worlds of theater, philosophy, history, and education to present a welcoming, hopeful, integrated approach to human connection. How to Know a Person helps readers become more understanding and considerate toward others, and to find the joy that comes from being seen. Along the way it offers a possible remedy for a society that is riven by fragmentation, hostility, and misperception.

The act of seeing another person, Brooks argues, is profoundly creative: How can we look somebody in the eye and see something large in them and, in turn, see something larger in ourselves? How to Know a Person is for anyone searching for connection, and yearning to be understood.

Register now to take part in a riveting and timeless conversation on how to connect with people from all walks of life, and why doing so is paramount to our individual and communal growth.

About the Author

David Brooks is one of the nation’s leading writers and commentators. He is an op-ed columnist for The New York Times, a writer for The Atlantic, and appears regularly on PBS Newshour. He is the bestselling author of The Second Mountain, The Road to Character, The Social Animal, Bobos in Paradise, and On Paradise Drive.


Brought to you in partnership with the Library Speakers Consortium. Visit our site to see all events, register and explore recordings of past events.

AGE GROUP: | Adults |

EVENT TYPE: | Books and Authors |

Westlake Porter Public Library

Phone: (440) 871-2600
Fax: (440) 871-6969

Hours
Skip Hours widget
Mon, Jan 19 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Tue, Jan 20 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Wed, Jan 21 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Thu, Jan 22 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Fri, Jan 23 9:00AM to 6:00PM
Sat, Jan 24 9:00AM to 6:00PM
Sun, Jan 25 1:00PM to 5:00PM
Mon, Jan 19 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Tue, Jan 20 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Wed, Jan 21 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Thu, Jan 22 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Fri, Jan 23 9:00AM to 6:00PM
Sat, Jan 24 9:00AM to 6:00PM
Sun, Jan 25 1:00PM to 5:00PM

About the branch

Westlake Porter Public Library is an independent public library serving the residents of the city of Westlake, western Cuyahoga County and eastern Lorain County. The library is located at 27333 Center Ridge Road in Westlake, Ohio. Anyone who lives, works, owns property, or goes to school in Ohio can register for a free library card.

Upcoming events

Skip Upcoming events widget
Thu, Jan 22, 9:30am - 10:00am
Storytime Room

Thu, Jan 22, 10:15am - 10:45am
Storytime Room

Thu, Jan 22, 4:30pm - 6:30pm
Storytime Room

Sat, Jan 24, 10:30am - 11:00am
Storytime Room

Sat, Jan 24, 2:00pm - 2:30pm
Storytime Room

Sun, Jan 25, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Storytime Room

Mon, Jan 26, 1:00pm - 7:00pm
Porter Room

Mon, Jan 26, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Craft Room,Teen Lounge

Mon, Jan 26, 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Westlake Room

Tue, Jan 27, 9:30am - 10:00am
Storytime Room

Tue, Jan 27, 10:15am - 10:45am
Storytime Room

Tue, Jan 27, 3:30pm - 7:30pm
Teen Lounge

Tue, Jan 27, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Craft Room
This event is full

Tue, Jan 27, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Storytime Room

Wed, Jan 28, 1:00pm - 1:30pm
Storytime Room

Wed, Jan 28, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Study Room YS-Group

Wed, Jan 28, 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Westlake Room

Wed, Jan 28, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Dover Room

Thu, Jan 29, 9:30am - 10:00am
Storytime Room

Thu, Jan 29, 10:15am - 10:45am
Storytime Room

Thu, Jan 29, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Technology Training Lab

Thu, Jan 29, 4:30pm - 6:30pm
Storytime Room

Sat, Jan 31, 11:00am - 11:45am
Storytime Room
Registration opens Saturday, January 24 2026 at 9:00am

Sat, Jan 31, 2:00pm - 4:00pm

Sun, Feb 01, 1:30pm - 4:30pm
Porter Room

Sun, Feb 01, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Storytime Room

Mon, Feb 02, 10:00am - 10:30am
Storytime Room

Mon, Feb 02, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Craft Room,Teen Lounge

Mon, Feb 02, 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Westlake Room

Tue, Feb 03, 9:30am - 10:00am
Storytime Room

Tue, Feb 03, 10:15am - 10:45am
Storytime Room

Tue, Feb 03, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Craft Room
Registration opens Tuesday, January 27 2026 at 9:00am

Tue, Feb 03, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Craft Room
Registration opens Tuesday, January 27 2026 at 9:00am

Tue, Feb 03, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Makerspace
Registration opens Tuesday, January 27 2026 at 6:00pm

Tue, Feb 03, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Storytime Room

Tue, Feb 03, 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Porter Room

Wed, Feb 04, 10:30am - 11:15am
Storytime Room
Registration opens Wednesday, January 28 2026 at 9:00am

Wed, Feb 04, 1:00pm - 1:30pm
Storytime Room

Wed, Feb 04, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Craft Room

Wed, Feb 04, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Study Room YS-Group

Wed, Feb 04, 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Westlake Room

Wed, Feb 04, 6:00pm - 6:30pm
Makerspace
Registration opens Wednesday, January 28 2026 at 9:00am

Wed, Feb 04, 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Dover Room

Wed, Feb 04, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Craft Room

Thu, Feb 05, 9:30am - 10:00am
Storytime Room

Thu, Feb 05, 10:15am - 10:45am
Storytime Room

Thu, Feb 05, 4:30pm - 6:30pm
Technology Training Lab

Thu, Feb 05, 5:00pm - 6:30pm
Dover Room
Registration is now closed

Fri, Feb 06, 10:30am - 11:00am
Dover Room

Sat, Feb 07, 9:00am - 6:00pm
Youth Services

Sat, Feb 07, 10:30am - 11:00am
Dover Room

Sat, Feb 07, 10:30am - 11:00am
Storytime Room

Sat, Feb 07, 10:30am - 12:00pm
Makerspace
Registration opens Saturday, January 31 2026 at 9:00am

Sat, Feb 07, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Storytime Room

Sun, Feb 08, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Storytime Room

Sun, Feb 08, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Technology Training Lab

Mon, Feb 09, 9:00am - 9:00pm
Registration opens Monday, February 2 2026 at 9:00am

Mon, Feb 09, 10:00am - 10:45am
Storytime Room
Registration opens Monday, February 2 2026 at 9:00am

Mon, Feb 09, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Craft Room,Teen Lounge

Mon, Feb 09, 4:30pm - 5:15pm
Technology Training Lab
Registration opens Monday, February 2 2026 at 4:30pm

Mon, Feb 09, 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Westlake Room

Mon, Feb 09, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Craft Room
Registration opens Monday, February 2 2026 at 9:00am

Mon, Feb 09, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Thomas A. Fox Board Room

Tue, Feb 10, 9:30am - 10:00am
Storytime Room

Tue, Feb 10, 10:00am - 11:00am
Dover Room

Tue, Feb 10, 10:00am - 11:30am
Technology Training Lab

Tue, Feb 10, 10:15am - 10:45am
Storytime Room

Tue, Feb 10, 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Makerspace
Registration opens Tuesday, February 3 2026 at 9:00am

Tue, Feb 10, 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Porter Room,Zoom Programming 2

Wed, Feb 11, 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Craft Room

Wed, Feb 11, 1:00pm - 1:30pm
Storytime Room

Wed, Feb 11, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Craft Room,Teen Lounge

Wed, Feb 11, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Makerspace
Registration opens Wednesday, February 4 2026 at 9:00am

Wed, Feb 11, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Study Room YS-Group

Wed, Feb 11, 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Westlake Room

Wed, Feb 11, 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Dover Room,Zoom Programming 1

Thu, Feb 12, 9:30am - 10:00am
Storytime Room

Thu, Feb 12, 10:15am - 10:45am
Storytime Room

Thu, Feb 12, 1:00pm - 7:00pm
Porter Room

Thu, Feb 12, 2:00pm - 2:30pm
Storytime Room
Registration opens Thursday, February 5 2026 at 9:00am

Thu, Feb 12, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Technology Training Lab

Thu, Feb 12, 4:30pm - 6:30pm
Storytime Room

Thu, Feb 12, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Craft Room,Teen Lounge

Thu, Feb 12, 7:00pm - 8:15pm
Conference Room

Sat, Feb 14, 10:30am - 11:00am
Storytime Room

Sat, Feb 14, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Storytime Room

Mon, Feb 16, 9:00am - 9:00pm
Registration opens Monday, February 9 2026 at 9:00am

Mon, Feb 16, 9:00am - 9:00pm
Registration opens Monday, February 9 2026 at 9:00am

Mon, Feb 16, 10:30am - 11:00am
Porter Room
Registration opens Monday, February 9 2026 at 9:00am

Mon, Feb 16, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Dover Room

Mon, Feb 16, 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Westlake Room

Mon, Feb 16, 6:00pm - 6:45pm
Technology Training Lab

Mon, Feb 16, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Craft Room
Registration opens Monday, February 9 2026 at 9:00am

Tue, Feb 17, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Technology Training Lab

Tue, Feb 17, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Makerspace
Registration opens Tuesday, February 10 2026 at 9:00am

Wed, Feb 18, 11:00am - 11:45am
Storytime Room
Registration opens Wednesday, February 11 2026 at 9:00am

Wed, Feb 18, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Craft Room,Teen Lounge

Wed, Feb 18, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Study Room YS-Group

Wed, Feb 18, 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Thomas A. Fox Board Room

Wed, Feb 18, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Dover Room

Wed, Feb 18, 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Porter Room

Thu, Feb 19, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Dover Room

Thu, Feb 19, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Storytime Room

Fri, Feb 20, 10:30am - 11:30am
Dover Room

Fri, Feb 20, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Craft Room

Sat, Feb 21, 10:30am - 11:00am
Storytime Room

Sat, Feb 21, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Storytime Room
Registration opens Saturday, February 14 2026 at 9:00am