March 2, 2021

IMLS Launches New Series of “Conversations with Crosby”
Director’s “Fireside Chat”–Style Events Welcome Wide Spectrum of Special Guests, Attendees

Crosby Kemper
Crosby Kemper

Washington, DC—The Institute of Museum and Library Services is pleased to announce a new event series hosted by the agency’s director, Crosby Kemper. Drawing inspiration from a variety of modern media and historical concepts, including Franklin D. Roosevelt’s famous fireside chats, the series of presidential evening radio addresses held between 1933 and 1944, Director Kemper will host discussions engaging special guests from the museum, library, academic, journalism, and political worlds.

“These conversations are designed to highlight the importance of the arts and humanities for our museums and libraries in their central place in the civic and community life of the nation and the growth and self-development of each of us individually,” said IMLS Director Crosby Kemper.

“I hope that these encounters with some of the most thoughtful people in our world will provide guidance for IMLS, as well as enlightenment for all. We want to explore with them the shared heritage, shared experience, and shared ideas that can bring us together with libraries and museums—not always in agreement, but always with purpose and goodwill.”

March 5: Andrew Roberts and Timothy Riley of America’s National Churchill Museum
The first event in the series, “Conversations with Crosby: Churchill Today,” will welcome two special guests from America’s National Churchill Museum: historian Andrew Roberts, and the museum’s Sandra L. and Monroe E. Trout Director and Chief Curator, Timothy Riley. The discussion from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. ET will focus on the importance of character in history and highlight the significance of the Churchill Memorial on the occasion of the 75th Anniversary of Churchill’s Iron Curtain Speech. The talk is also part of a separate two-day series of commemorative events hosted by the museum from March 5 to 6.

Attendance is free and open to all, though advance registration through GoToWebinar is required.

March 24: David Thomson
Join Director Kemper from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. as he hosts David Thomson, the British film critic, U.S.-based historian, and author of more than 20 books, in what promises to be an engaging discussion about film, American culture, libraries, and museums. For more information about forthcoming registration, please subscribe to email updates or check the IMLS event page.

More Information
All events will be held on GoToWebinar and will recorded and made available afterward on the IMLS YouTube channel. To receive announcements of other upcoming talks in the Conversations with Crosby series, sign up to receive updates via email.

About the Institute of Museum and Library Services
The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation's libraries and museums. We advance, support, and empower America’s museums, libraries, and related organizations through grantmaking, research, and policy development. Our vision is a nation where museums and libraries work together to transform the lives of individuals and communities. To learn more, visit www.imls.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.