Venue
UWL Student Union Bluffs
Event Details
Register Here:
Couch Conversation with the Man of Leisure Jonathan Majak | Library Assistant, Murphy Library | University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
Jonathan Majak brings a unique blend of passion for community, storytelling and resilience to his role at Murphy Library. As a library assistant in the cataloging unit, he not only helps make campus resources discoverable — he also shares his voice through the library’s “Man of Leisure” column, where he reads and reviews books with warmth, humor and personal insight.
Majak’s commitment to connection became deeply personal during a serious health crisis in summer 2024. The caring support of the UWL community during that time shaped Majak’s profound sense of belonging and inspired his writing — reflecting his belief that libraries are not intimidating institutions, but welcoming spaces.
In a celebrated summer reading project leading up to his hospitalization, Majak read 101 books in 106 days, sharing his reflections in a multi-part series that invited readers to rethink leisure, healing and storytelling. His mix of vulnerability, joy and literary curiosity has made him a beloved campus storyteller.
Majak grew up surrounded by campus life at UWL — his mother taught children’s literature, and his early years included afternoons reading near Graff Main Hall and his father taught minority studies for nearly 30 years at UWL. Today, he continues to build community through books, empathy and laughter.