Ari Shapiro does what we all should do. He listens. He observes. He considers. It’s fundamental to the sensitive and compelling reporting he has done over nearly two decades for National Public Radio.

In a special presentation as part of the Library’s yearlong sesquicentennial celebration, Shapiro discusses his work and the power of stories and storytelling to foster connectedness in our society. Now a popular host of NPR’s award-winning news magazine All Things Considered, he weighs the importance of not only journalism but also libraries in that role and their essentialness in these divided times as public institutions.

Shapiro has been one of the distinctive voices of All Things Considered since 2015 and hosts the companion podcast Consider This. He previously served as NPR’s international correspondent based in London, White House correspondent during the Obama administration, and justice correspondent during the George W. Bush administration. Among many other honors, his work has won three national Edward R. Murrow awards for outstanding achievement in broadcast and digital journalism

Shapiro’s first book, The Best Strangers in the World: Stories from a Life Spent Listening, was a bestseller upon its release in March 2023.

His presentation is preceded by a 6 p.m. reception offering food and drinks.

In order to ensure equitable access to this 150th anniversary event, the Library is utilizing a staggered ticket release. The first allotment of seats will be available at KCLibrary.org starting at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, May 28. Additional seats will be released at 10 a.m. on June 4 and June 11.

The event also is livestreamed at youtube.com/kclibrary (for which no RSVP is necessary).