March 1 – April 19, 2026
Building on the tremendous success of our past community-wide reading initiatives, the Pennington Public Library is thrilled to present Beyond the Page, spanning March and April 2026. This program is designed to bring our community together around one powerful book, sparking conversation and thoughtful discussion.
Supported by local schools, dedicated community partners, and volunteers, Beyond the Page aims to broaden our imaginations and understanding of our world, our neighbors, and ourselves through the joy of sharing a good book.
Free copies of the book may be picked up at the Pennington Public Library.
Book Summary
Exhalation: Stories is the highly celebrated collection from Ted Chiang, one of the most respected authors working in speculative fiction today. Chiang’s stories use imaginative, high-concept scenarios as thought experiments to explore deep philosophical and human questions.
This collection of nine thought-provoking stories includes “The Lifecycle of Software Objects,” which delves into the ethical and emotional complexities of raising sentient digital beings, forcing the reader to confront what defines life, ownership, and parental responsibility. Another key story imagines a mechanical species grappling with the nature of consciousness and inevitable entropy.
Chiang’s narratives are deeply empathetic, focusing on the human experience while tackling massive themes like free will, determinism, artificial intelligence, parallel universes, environmentalism, and the terrifying beauty of the cosmos. Readers are invited to reflect on the relationship between humanity and the technology we create, and to consider the profound future implications of our present-day advancements.
The collection is an ideal choice to spark innovative programming and a truly meaningful community conversation that goes beyond the page of the book itself.
Upcoming Programs & Events
Please bookmark and revisit this page as we provide additional program information and registration details.
Key Events
Thursday, April 16 @ 7:00 pm via Zoom
Closing Keynote: Virtual Conversation with Author Ted Chiang
In partnership with the Hopewell Valley Regional School District
Registration and Details
Community Art Exhibition
Friday, March 27 – April 20, 2026 “What If?” Art Show 2026
Inspired by Ted Chiang’s Exhalation, artists of all ages imagine the future.
In partnership with the Hopewell Valley Arts Council.
Location: The Global Neurosciences Institute, Pennington
Admission: Free and open to the community
Details and Gallery Hours
In-Person Workshops & Programs
Saturday, April 11 @ 11:00 AM at The Watershed Institute
Clever Corvids: Understanding the World’s Smartest Birds.
An interactive program for adults and families with children.
In partnership with The Watershed Institute
Registration and Details
Sunday, April 19 @ 1:00 – 2:30 PM at Pennington Public Library
Worlds from Thin Air: An Intro to Speculative Improv
For all ages. Try your hand at Improv Theater!
Registration and Details
Past Programs & Events with Recordings
In Conversation with Dr. Cal Newport
Originally on Thursday, March 19 @ 7:00 PM via Zoom
New York Times bestselling author known for books like Deep Work and Digital Minimalism
Recording Available
The Great Silence of Lichens: Biology, Ecology, and Listening
Originally on Tuesday, March 24 @ 7:00 PM via Zoom
An educational lecture about lichens – complex, symbiotic organisms that reveal the health of our environment – with Dennis Waters
In partnership with The Sourland Conservancy
Recording Available
Recording Coming Soon! – Tuesday, April 7 @ 7:00 PM via Zoom
The Art of Storytelling: Rewriting the Pop Culture Script with Dr. Grace Gipson
Explore the multi-faceted identity of Afrofuturism and its blossoming relationship with speculative fiction across literature, film, and music.
In partnership with The Stoutsburg Sourland African American Museum
Recording Available
Past Programs & Events
Sunday, March 1 @ 3:00 pm at The Pennington School
Kickoff: “Bounded Freedom: Human Expression in the Age of AI”
with Dr. Nathan C. Walker, Rutgers AI Ethics Lab
Wednesday, March 4 @ 7:00-8:30 PM via Zoom
Demystifying Artificial Intelligence
with Eddi Khaytman, MBA, Web Developer and AI consultant
Thursday, March 5, 2026, 2:00 PM via Zoom
Book Discussion: Exhalation: Stories by Ted Chiang
Pennington Library Adult Book Club
Tuesday, March 10, 2026, 7:30 PM, Pennington Public Library
Novella Discussion: The Lifecycle of Software Objects By Ted Chiang
Too Busy for Books Book Club
Saturday, March 7 @ 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM at HVCHS Media Center
A Morning of AI Exploration at HVRSD | A Community-Wide Event
Featuring workshops on Artificial Intelligence education for all levels (parents, novices, and advanced users)
Presented by the Hopewell Valley Regional School District Educational Technology team
Sunday, March 8, 2026, 3:00 PM, Pennington Public Library
Exhalation Themed Film Screening & Discussion: Robot & Frank
Tuesday, March 10 @ 7:00 PM via Zoom
Relating with Kids & Tech: Building Bridges in a Digital World
With Dr. Jill Richards, Director Comprehensive Mental Health Services
In partnership with the Hopewell Valley Municipal Alliance, Digital Wellness Initiative and Hopewell Valley Regional School District.
Saturday, March 14 @ 1:00 PM at Pennington Public Library
Robotics Workshop
A hands-on experience for families. Recommended for ages 8+
Featuring student leaders from the Hopewell Valley CHS Robotics Team
Sunday, March 15, 2026, 3:00 PM, Hopewell Valley Central High School
Exhalation Themed Film Screening & Discussion: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Wednesday, March 18 @ 7:00-8:30 PM via Zoom
Guided Autobiography Workshop Exploring Identity and Memory
Reflect on how your most significant memories evolve over time with Julie Feibush
Wednesday, March 18, 2026, 2:00 PM (HVRSD School Half Day), Pennington Public Library
Family Film Screening & Craft: Wall-E
Friday, March 20, 2026
Tech Night In
An evening for families to explore and share technology together. This initiative provides resources and prompts for interactive, tech-based family activities that spark creativity and connection.
In partnership with the Hopewell Valley Municipal Alliance, Digital Wellness Initiative and Hopewell Valley Regional School District.
Sunday, March 29, 2026, 3:00 PM, Pennington Public Library
Exhalation Themed Screening & Discussion: The Twilight Zone: The Lonely and Star Trek: The Next Generation: The Measure of a Man
Wednesday, April 8, 2026, 2:00 PM, Hopewell Community Room
Hopewell Branch, Mercer County Library
Discussion of short stories by Ted Chiang:
The Merchant and the Alchemist’s Gate
Exhalation
Dacey’s Patent Automatic Nanny
The Short of It Discussion Group