Event with Kal Penn May 7

Vernon Area Public Library joins more than 200 public libraries across Illinois to host an online event, “The Many Lives of Kal Penn,” on Zoom on Tuesday, May 7, at 7 p.m. The event is free and open to all; sign up at VAPLD.info/calendar or call 224-543-1485. 

Kal Penn is an actor, writer, producer and former Associate Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement. His numerous television and film credits include “Designated Survivor,” “House,” Mira Nair’s “The Namesake,” the “Harold & Kumar” franchise, and a guest host of “The Daily Show.”

Penn served as national co-chair for the Obama/Biden re-election campaign in 2012 and on the President’s Committee for the Arts and Humanities from 2013 to 2017. He taught courses at the University of Pennsylvania and UCLA. His first book, “You Can’t Be Serious,” was released in 2021.

Originally from New Jersey, he received his undergraduate degree in sociology, theater, film, and television at UCLA and a graduate certificate in international security from Stanford University. 

Penn recently wrapped production on the Bloomberg Green documentary series, “Getting Warmer,” and the Viacom/Paramount+ comedy “Surina & Mel.” 

Joining Penn in conversation is Bridget Petrites, Library Assistant at Evanston Public Library, who will facilitate a game show–style experience highlighting the many accomplishments of Penn’s life. Audience members may submit questions in advance when they sign up for the event.

This event is made possible by Illinois Libraries Present, a statewide collaboration among public libraries offering premier events. 

Illinois Libraries Present (ILP) debuted in 2022 as a way to bring virtual events with bestselling authors and diverse and esteemed speakers to communities across the state and counts more than 200 Illinois libraries as members. Joining forces for such events allow libraries to bring speakers to their communities that might not be possible due to budget constraints or production capabilities. In 2023, the initiative was recipient of the Illinois Library Association’s 2023 Hugh C. Atkinson Memorial Award for Interlibrary Cooperation, which is awarded annually in recognition of exceptional resource-sharing initiatives that benefit library users in Illinois.

ILP is funded in part by a grant awarded by the Illinois State Library, a department of the Office of 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). 

Season 3 of Illinois Libraries Present will conclude in June with a presentation from Dr. Temple Grandin, academic and activist for animal welfare and people with autism.