The Friends of the University of Delaware’s Library invites the University community to its annual dinner, an extraordinary event celebrating the power of books, stories and the people who bring them to life. This year's unforgettable evening with Michael Dirda, Pulitzer Prize-winning book columnist for The Washington Post, is sure to be insightful and engaging. In his talk, “A Life with Books: From the Last Days of Typewriters to the Digital Era,” Dirda takes the audience on a journey through nearly five decades of literary journalism.

Dirda’s engaging storytelling and deep love for books promises to captivate readers, writers, bibliophiles and anyone curious about the world of publishing.

The Friends of the University of Delaware Library will hold its 2025 annual dinner, beginning with a cocktail hour at 6 p.m., Wednesday, April 25, at Arsht Hall. During this time, books by Dirda will be available for purchase through the UD Barnes and Noble Bookstore. Dinner will follow at 7 p.m., and the evening will conclude by 9 p.m. with a Q&A session with Dirda for the audience to ask about literary journalism, book collecting and more.

Learn more about the dinner menu and sponsorship opportunities on the registration page. Registration closes on Friday, March 21, 2025.