By Anne Levin

In normal times, the author talks, panel discussions, and other events held in Princeton Public Library’s (PPL) Community Room often attract standing-room only crowds that overflow into the café and lobby.

Normal times are not here yet. But COVID-19 has eased enough for the library to plan several outdoor events this summer, and look forward to being back in the Community Room — depending on the pandemic’s path — on a limited scale this fall.

A special appearance on Wednesday, July 21 at 6 p.m. by author Jennifer Weiner will mark the library’s first in-person author talk since March 2020. The event is being held in the courtyard at Princeton Shopping Center, and Weiner is attending as part of a book tour for her newest novel, That Summer.

“Jen has spoken at the library several times, and she’s a fan favorite,” said PPL’s Adult Programming Manager Janie Hermann. “Where she’s going to be speaking is almost right in front of the building where we were housed temporarily in 2002, while we were under construction. So it’s a lovely way of going back to her roots.”

Weiner, who studied writing with John McPhee while a student at Princeton University, had just published her first book, Good in Bed, and was on a panel with fellow authors Jenny McPhee (McPhee’s daughter) and Kathleen Demarco at the author event nearly two decades ago.

Since then, “She has been incredibly kind to the library,” Hermann said. “Once, she showed up when her friend [author] Curtis Sittenfeld was speaking, buying a ticket under a different name so no one would make a fuss that she was coming.”

While most library events are free, the July 21 appearance costs $30, including a signed copy of That Summer and treats from Rita’s Water Ice. Only 150 tickets will be sold, and there will be plenty of room for social distancing. The library is presenting the event in partnership with Labyrinth Books, which will be selling the books. Register at princetonlibrary.org.

Additional outdoor events planned by the library this summer include “Among Trees,” to be performed on a stage at the Veblen House in Herrontown Woods this Thursday, July 15, at 7 p.m. Professional musicians and actors will present an evening of songs, scenes, and more. Several more events in partnership with the shopping center are scheduled, including the “Summer Nights Series.” The library is also presenting a performance of Twelfth Night by the Hudson Shakespeare Company, at the amphitheater in Pettoranello Gardens on August 8 at 6 p.m.

Barring a spike in COVID cases, there are plans for on-site events starting in September. “Anne-Marie Slaughter will be making an appearance for her new book,” said Hermann. “We will also do some programming around the 20th anniversary of 9/11, including the staged reading of a new play. We will still do outdoor events as long as we can, and every event has a back-up plan to go virtual if necessary.”

The library is open at mostly regular hours. Masks are still required. “Right now we’re taking a cautious approach because we want the library to be accessible, especially to children, and those 12 and under can’t be vaccinated,” Hermann said. “We still have a lot of activity around the digital collections, and the Summer Reading program, for all ages, is going great.”

Everyone who will be attending indoor events will be required to register, so that the number of participants can be controlled. Storytime, usually held on the third floor, will be moved to the Community Room so children can be spread out.

“The hardest part is meeting the needs of the community while keeping people safe,” Hermann said. “We’re just so excited to be back in person. We know people want that human connection again. Virtual is great, too, but we want to balance it out.”