Expert panelists introduce you to the world of public open data: where to find it, how to get started using it, and examples of creative projects that use public data. Data is everywhere, and you can use it in more ways than you’d think: to make an argument to city council, to write a grant for a cause you believe in, to report on a situation, or even to create an app. Discussion points include: resources for open data on a range of topics with a special focus on data.seattle.gov, ways to combine data sets and make maps, best ways to learn about data if you are starting out on a project, and examples of the creative ways people have used open data. -- Panelists: Ryan Biava, ‎Abe Diaz, Amy Laurent, Domonique Meeks, and Jenny Muilenburg. -- Facilitator: Jim Loter, Director, Information Technology, The Seattle Public Library.

Join writers, readers, booksellers, librarians, publishers and friends to learn who won the 2015 Washington State Book Awards. This podcast features brief readings from the winning titles. -- The Washington State Book Awards recognize eight outstanding books published by Washington authors in 2014 in the categories of fiction, poetry, biography/memoir, and history/general nonfiction for adults. The Scandiuzzi Children’s Book Award honors a children’s picture book and one book each for early readers (ages 6 to 8), middle readers (ages 9-12), and young adults (ages 13 to 18).

Join author David Williams, author of 'Too High Too Steep: Reshaping Seattle’s Topography,' in conversation with book critic Michael Upchurch, to hear the fascinating stories behind the remarkable engineering projects that shaped Seattle, including regrading Denny Hill, filling in the Duwamish tideflats, and replumbing Lake Washington. -- David Williams’ writing focuses on the intersection of people and the natural world. His books include 'Stories in Stone: Travels Through Urban Geology,' 'The Seattle Street-Smart Naturalist: Field Notes from the City,' and 'Cairns: Messengers in Stone.' David also works at the University of Washington's Burke Museum and leads walking tours about the natural environment and history of Seattle. -- Michael Upchurch, former Seattle Times’ staff book critic and general arts writer, is a novelist and frequent book reviewer. His reviews have appeared in The New York Times Book Review, Washington Post, San Francisco Chronicle and numerous other publications. His novels include ‘Passive Intruder’ and ‘The Flame Forest.’

Listen to a discussion of Seattle Repertory Theatre’s production of Arthur Miller’s 'A View from the Bridge'. This discussion will include director Braden Abraham (Artistic Director of Seattle Repertory Theatre) and members of the cast of 'A View from the Bridge'. This classic play tells the story of a longshoreman by trade, Eddie Carbone, who is confident in the working-class neighborhood he calls home. That life changes when he agrees to harbor his immigrant cousins. A love affair exposes a dark family secret, and suspicion, jealousy and betrayal soon follow in this passionate drama by one of America’s greatest playwrights.

Murder, theft, cons and crimes shadow the streets within a mystery novel, but thankfully for its innocent denizens, there’s a hero or heroine on the case, striking fear into villains and solving the toughest of puzzles, all while alluding danger and living out of the closet. “Queer” detectives, investigators, and mysteries solvers are not new to the noir world. Protectors of its dark cityscapes include such literary LGBTQ luminaries as Joseph Hansen’s dogged investigator Dave Brandstetter, Nicola Griffith’s steely heroine Aud Torvingen, and Josh Lanyon’s inquisitive bookseller Adrien English. -- Join us for an evening reading with three writers who spotlight crime solvers who find the culprit and celebrate LGBTQ love and relationships. This reading event will include Lambda Literary winner Nicole Kimberling (Bellingham Mysteries), Rainbow Award winner L. A. Witt (Hostile Ground) and Northwest suspense novelist Jove Belle (The Job).

Historian Michael Schein presents his new book on John Surratt, a Confederate Secret Service agent and Booth’s closest associate in the four months leading up to the assassination of President Lincoln. Schein leads a lively discussion of his book, illustrated by historical slides. He will discuss Surratt’s involvement in the assassination plot, his meetings with the Confederate high command in Richmond, and his wild flight from justice as his mother stood trial for her life.

Publishing pros share insights on querying, finding an agent, working with an editor, getting your book to readers, and all the steps along the way. -- A panel of multi-published authors discuss their writing processes and adventures in publishing. They'll share solid tips on making your book the best it can be and how to get it into the hands of readers. The panel includes: Martha Brockenbrough, Justina Chen, Bridget Foley, Boyd Morrison, and Jennifer Murphy.

Hear Lynne Yamamoto talk about her work. She was also interviewed by Susan Kunimatsu, a writer, consultant on arts and culture and artist. -- Libraries are places of memory. They are, also, catalysts of an unforeseen future. In Yamamoto's hands shadowy, stark forms interrogate culture, identity and place. Created as a public art work for the Central Library, Yamamoto's card catalog is a ghost hovering far above the computerized catalogs that have taken its place. Lynne Yamamoto's sculpture "Of Memory" at the Central Library harkens to an era when finding the title of a book, subject or an author required the use of a card catalog.

Join us for a public conversation held by community activists who oppose the King County's proposed $210 million Children and Family Justice Center. The panel will raise questions about seemingly "normal" institutions in our society. Is designing prisons, youth jails, and detention centers inevitable? Who designs these spaces, and who is affected by the existence and harms of these spaces? What does a community movement to resist incarceration and caging look like? -- Facilitated by Shannon Perez-Darby, Youth Services Program Manager at The Northwest Network of LGBT Survivors of Abuse.

Erica Jong reads from her first book in 10 years -- a sequel to her first and most famous one, "Fear of Flying,” the sexually candid novel starring the intrepid Isadora Wing. -- In her sixties and still beautiful, former actress Vanessa Wonderman is caught between her ailing parents, aging husband and pregnant daughter. Since her husband isn't up for sex anymore, she places an ad on a site called Zipless.com and must turn for help to friend Isadora Wing when the responses start upending her life. -- Erica Jong is a poet, novelist and essayist, best known for her eight New York Times bestselling novels, including "Fear of Flying" (which has sold 27 million copies in 40 languages) and "Fear of Fifty." Jong is also the author of seven award-winning collections of poetry. She has also written several nonfiction books.