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Lunch With Books


Lunch With Books logo

Lunch with Books is the library's flagship program for adult patrons. Bring a bag lunch and enjoy presentations by authors, poets, historians, musicians, and a variety of other people. Complimentary beverages are provided.

Though the Library is now fully opened and our in-person programming has returned, we will continue to offer our live streamed broadcasts for those who are unable to attend our programs at the Library. 

Lunch With Books: Livestream Editions - new programs broadcast live online
Lunch With Books: "From the Vault" - past programs digitized and now available online

Learn more about Lunch With Books and Banned Books Week.

The Ann Thomas Memorial Lecture Series at Lunch With Books.


Lunch With Books Brochures:

September and October 2023
November and December 2023.



Want to know what's coming up next at Lunch With Books? Sign-up to get weekly e-mail updates!


Like Lunch With Books on Facebook to keep up with all the latest LWB news and events!

Like Lunch With Books on Facebook to keep up with all the latest LWB news and events!


Many of our Lunch With Books programs have been recorded and, upon request, can be made available to check out.
➤ View a complete list of LWB programs available on DVD at the library


Lunch With Books logo Full House at Lunch With Books
  "Lunch With Books” is the library’s flagship program for adult patrons. Bring a bag lunch and enjoy presentations by authors, poets, historians, musicians and a variety of other people. Complimentary beverages are provided. These free programs usually start at noon on Tuesdays in the auditorium on the lower level of the library.

Lunch With Books Programs

The library currently has over 400 Lunch With Books programs available on DVD. A sampling of these programs can be viewed online through the links below.

Lunch With Books logo
April 16, 2013:   ➤ The History of Ohio County Public Library with Dr. Chuck Julian
April 12, 2011:   ➤ The Forgotten First Campaign: Western Virginia, 1861
May 24, 2011:   ➤ Lucy Bagby with John Vacha
September 20, 2011:   ➤ The Bicentennial of Steamboating with John Bowman 
September 27, 2011:   ➤ The Sultana Disaster with Kate Quinn 
April 9, 2013:   ➤ West Virginia Poet Laureate Marc Harshman reads "Whitman and Wright Visit the Wheeling Middle School" from his book, Green-Silver and Silent
March 13th, 2014:   ➤ Wheeling Symphony Panel Discussion: Prayer for the Innocents 
Maestro André Raphel and composer Avner Dorman discuss Dorman's piece "Prayer for the Innocents" before its premiere at the Wheeling Symphony on March 14th, 2014.
June 13th, 2017:   ➤ Virtual Walking Tour of Historic Warwood with Christina Rieth 

   ➤ View a complete list of LWB programs available on DVD at the library


 Videos

Watch a brief history of the Lunch With Books program featuring Bettie Steele:

Hear the Lunch With Books Song featuring Yodeling Dick Brooks:


First Lunch With Books Program-Page 60 of Wheeling Sunday News Register, January 11th, 1976:


Feedback from Lunch With Books Guests

“Lunch With Books is an outstanding program — one of the best in the country.” 
-NPR Journalist Matthew Algeo, The President is a Sick Man

“With a new book in hand, I’ve visited a lot of libraries lately, and I think the Ohio County Public Library is my all-time favorite.”  -Jaimy Gordon, Lord of Misrule (National Book Award winner)

“We set a personal attendance record and personal best for the number
of books sold!” -Peter Zeranski, Polish Classic Recipes

“I am completely smitten with the Lunch with Books patrons...It’s not always easy to read one’s fiction in public, but this library family provided a sea of welcoming faces filled with warmth, attentiveness, and good will. Their generous laughter and emotional investment helped me to bring my prose fully to life.” -Marie Manilla, Still Life with Plums and Shrapnel

“Speaking [at Lunch With Books] was the highlight of my summer. A spectacular facility, a wonderful array of speakers, and a community dedicated to one of its finest resources. You all should be proud of what you're doing. I look forward to returning.” -Rudy Dicks, The ’63 Steelers

“If I want the best and most attentive and responsive audience I know I will have it at Lunch With Books.” 
-Jim O'Brien, The Chief and Steeler Stuff 

“This is the best series of its kind that I've seen in all my travels in OH-WV-PA.” 
-Jim Joyce, The Bicycle Book: Wit, Wisdom, & Wanderings 

“Lunch With Books is the best adult library program that I have seen in the state.” 
-Bob Barnett, Growing Up in the Last Small Town 


Lunch With Books Distinguished (and Famous) Alumi

We consider all of our guests to be distinguished and wonderful, however, among the nationally known (and sometimes famous) guests who have graced the Lunch With Books stage over the past two decades are author Keith Maillard,  illusionist Craig Karges, Pittsburgh Steelers pioneer Art Rooney Jr.,  political figure Ken Hechler, author James Alexander Thom, author Wiley Cash, author David Giffels, antiques appraiser Tim Luke, author Mary Doria Russell, actor William Sanderson (Deadwood and The Bob Newhart Show), poet Crystal Wilkinson, author Billy O’Callaghan, chess and poker champion Jennifer Shahade, author Dr. Peniel E. Joseph, author Denise Giardina, author Silas House,  Michelle Duster (great-grandaughter of Ida B. Wells), poet Frank X. Walker, and most recently, NFL analyst and author Mike Florio.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


The materials on this website may be freely used by non-commercial entities for educational and/or research purposes as long as credit is given to the Ohio County Public Library, Wheeling WV. Content within these pages cannot be reproduced in any format for profit or other presentation without the permission of the Ohio County Public Library. To obtain permission to publish images or other material available on this website, contact us through our request form.

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