Common Thread Speaker Series
A civic speaker series for the Wasatch Front. Bringing nationally renowned authors, public figures, and poets into one space — and one honest conversation — across the lines that usually keep us apart.
● CONVENED BY THE SLC LIBRARY FOUNDATION
● WEAVING COMMON THREADS OF OUR SHARED LIFE ACROSS THE WASATCH FRONT
●ACCESSIBLE AND OPEN TO ALL
WHY THE LIBRARY, WHY NOW
The last room where everyone still belongs.
Trust in most public institutions has thinned, and loneliness has been named a national health crisis. People sort themselves into smaller and smaller rooms — and rarely end up in one together.
The Library is the exception. It is the rare civic place a whole community still walks into side by side: no ticket, no test, no side to be on. The Library Foundation’s Common Thread Speaker Series builds directly on that standing.
Each evening is a real conversation, not a lecture — a chance to sit with a writer or leader and think out loud, in public, with neighbors who may not think the way we do.
HOW IT WORKS
Built to be easy to walk into.
01
Accessible admission
No steep ticket price, no barrier for entry. The Library convenes so the whole community can come.
02
An ongoing conversation,
Not a point in time. Big speakers come and go. This speaker series is about keeping a conversation going about our common life together.
03
A companion read
For every speaker, SLC librarians build a curated list of books to keep your curiosity going long after the lights come up.
04
Open to everyone
No membership, no affiliation, no side to take. You are welcome to attend and participate, no matter who you are.
STAY TUNED!
The 2026-27 Schedule of Speakers will be posted soon.
COMING SOON
COMING SOON
SPONSORSHIP
Put your name on the room where the region comes together.
The SLC Library Foundation Common Thread Speaker Series is accessible and affordable because someone makes it so. As a sponsor, you keep every seat open to the public — and you tie your name to the one institution Salt Lake County still trusts across every line. This is association, not advertising: your brand stands beside literacy, civic life, and honest dialogue, in front of the most engaged audience in the valley.
4 - 6x
Marquee evenings a year.
Accessible
No barrier to attend - everyone welcome.
Nonpartisan
Encouraging real engagement that embraces disagreement and difference.
Name the season
Presenting Sponsor
One per year • lead support
“Speaker Series presented by your organization” across all events and materials
Your logo on stage, on the livestream, and in every announcement
Recognition from the stage at all four evenings
Premier reserved seating and a private reception with the season's speakers
Own a night
Evening Sponsor
One per event • up to six per year
Named support for one evening of your choice
Logo and recognition tied to that event, on site and in the room
Reserved seating for your team and guests
Invitation to meet the speaker before the program
Keep it free
Community Supporter
Individuals • Businesses • Community Groups
Your name listed among the supporters who keep admission open
Recognition on the Library Foundation website and speaker series program
The standing of backing one of the oldest and most beloved civic institutions in the state of Utah
Custom packages welcome. Let’s find the fit for your organization.