The James V. Brown Library has announced the return of an in-person author experience at the 2026 Library Gala, featuring best-selling author Bruce Holsinger. The event will take place Sept. 10 at the Williamsport Country Club.

After hosting a virtual author for the past few years, the Library is excited to once again bring the community together for a live, in-person literary event, offering guests the rare opportunity to experience an author talk up close and connect in a more meaningful way, according to a news release from the library.

The Library Gala,the signature annual fundraiser, will highlight this return with an engaging evening centered around storytelling, community, and personal connection. Attendees will not only hear from Holsinger during his presentation, but will also have the opportunity to meet him. He will be available before the program and for a short time following the event to sign books and mingle with guests.

“We are thrilled to bring back the in-person author experience for our Gala this year,” said Stephanie Calder, chair of the James V. Brown Library’s Gala Committee.

“There is something truly special about being in the room with an author; hearing their story first-hand and having the chance to connect with them face-to-face. We’re excited to share that experience with our community again.”

Holsinger is the author of “Culpability,” the 116th selection of Oprah’s Book Club, praised by Oprah Winfrey as “a must-read for all generations.” His other novels include “The Gifted School,” “The Displacements,” “The Invention of Fire,” and “A Burnable Book.”

In addition to his fiction, Holsinger is a widely published essayist and scholar whose work has appeared in The New York Times, Vanity Fair, and on NPR. He serves as a professor of English at the University of Virginia and is the recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship.

The Gala will begin at 5 p.m. with a silent and ticket auction, hors d’oeuvre stations, and refreshments, followed by Holsinger’s presentation at 7 p.m. Complimentary valet parking is included with each ticket.

Proceeds from the Gala support the Library’s mission of inspiring today and shaping tomorrow, funding essential programs, collections, and services that reach thousands of residents across Lycoming County each year. Tickets are now available for purchase at https://givebutter.com/librarygala2026.

Thanks to the generous support of the Friends of the James V. Brown Library and an anonymous donor, ticket prices have been reduced to $100, down from $125 in previous years. Sponsorship opportunities are also available. For more information, please contact marketing@jvbrown.edu or call 570-327-295