Illinois Libraries PresentExternal Link provides high-quality online events at equitable prices for participating Illinois public member libraries of all sizes and budgets. We connect communities and audiences across the state through shared event experiences.
ILP is committed to inclusion and accessibility. American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation and Closed Captioning are provided for all events by default—no special request needed. To request accommodations not listed, please email illinoislibrariespresent@ila.org.
2026 Event Registration
Use the "Register Now" botton to register for these virtual programs via ZOOM. You will be sent a link to join the program via email. Watch the program at home or by using a library computer. Questions? Consider scheduling a 30-minute One-on-One session.
Babel-On with R.F. Kuang
Dates Wednesday, May 20*
Time 7:00–8:00 p.m.
Time Virtual Program
Ages Adults
Details Registration Required
*Please Note: Due to speaker scheduling conflict this event is now scheduled for May 20 instead of May 19.
R.F. Kuang’s genre-bending fiction broaches ordinarily serious topics from a satirical and fantastical perspective. Academic yet approachable, Kuang’s work combines history, magic, and classical literary tradition to render powerful critiques of academia, the publishing industry, and even contemporary popular culture.
Her most recent novel, KatabasisExternal Link, follows two graduate students as they descend into hell after the death of their professor, and the screen rights options to the novel were sold to Amazon MGM Studios for an upcoming TV series before its publication. Kuang’s other bestselling titles include YellowfaceExternal Link, BabelExternal Link, and The Poppy WarExternal Link trilogy, and she is the recipient of the Nebula Award for Best Novel, the Goodreads Choice Award for Best Fiction, and the American Book Award.
Kelly Jensen, an anti-censorship advocate, senior editor at Book Riot, and writer who has compiled such anthologies as Here We Are: Feminism for the Real WorldExternal Link and (Don’t) Call Me CrazyExternal Link, will be joining Kuang in conversation.
Season 6 Event Preview
Illinois Libraries Present virtual programs will return for it's 6 season in the Fall. More info coming soon!
These events are made possible by Illinois Libraries Present (ILP), a statewide collaboration among public libraries offering premier events. ILP is funded in part by a grant awarded by the Illinois State Library, a department of the Office of the Secretary of State, using funds provided by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services, under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA).
This new virtual event series is generously sponsored by the Friends of the Rolling Meadows Library.
Send a Message to the Friends of the Rolling Meadows Library