Benefits of LLI Membership

Welcome to Bard LLI!

LLI is a welcoming community that provides non-credit educational courses and social opportunities to our members. We are totally volunteer-run and managed, under the sponsorship of Bard College.

Wide Variety of Courses

Given during four terms

7-week fall and spring semesters, 4-week SummerFest and WinterFest programs. Members may register for as few or as many courses as they choose.

Review our past courses

See our catalog archive for previously offered courses.

View Catalog Archive

Lifetime Learning

With volunteer opportunities

There are many ways for members to contribute to LLI, based on the skills and interests of each individual member. You might have spent a career developing skills and want to continue using them, or you may want to try something completely new.

Volunteer coordinators help you

Our volunteer coordinator(s) will help you find satisfying ways to contribute.

Current volunteer opportunities

Social Gatherings

Both in person and online

Our Social Gatherings Team organizes themed, small group activities for members with similar interests (such as gardening, hiking, tea parties).

Special Events

LLI also sponsors special events each year, such as a fall luncheon, the annual membership meeting, new member orientation, etc.

Bard College Resources

LLI members are guests of Bard College

Members are encouraged to explore and enjoy the benefits of this exciting, inclusive learning environment and its beautiful campus.

View the Bard calendar

The Bard calendar includes concerts, art shows, lectures, and many exciting programs.

View the Bard Calendar

Center for Civic Engagement

A Bard community partner

LLI operates under the umbrella of the Center for Civic Engagement at the college.

LLI is proud to be a program of CCE

CCE sponsors a myriad of outstanding programs in the Hudson Valley area, throughout the US, and around the world.

View the work of CCE

Lifetime Friendships

Meet new friends

By participating in LLI courses, volunteer opportunities, social gatherings, and special events, members have formed many friendships with others who share their love of learning.

LLI provides a way to meet others

Class discussions, hospitality rooms, social gatherings, and volunteer work provide opportunities to form relationships with like-minded people.

LLI and the pandemic

Before the pandemic, LLI courses were mostly in person on the beautiful Bard campus. Because of pandemic restrictions, LLI has delivered online courses using Zoom. We expect that once it is safe to go back to campus, we will continue to provide some courses online, some in person, and some hybrid (both online and in person).

LLI follows all recommendations of Bard College to keep our members and Bard students, faculty, and staff as safe as possible. As the situation changes, Bard College keeps everyone informed on their website at Covid-19 Response page.

For more information

Please explore the LLI website to learn more about who we are and what we do. The home page shows current announcements and activities as well as the annual calendar. You may also subscribe to receive the LLI newsletter.

If you would like to speak with a real person, email us at [email protected] and our volunteers will make sure you are directed to the right person to answer your questions.

What members are saying

“Having a mentor made me more comfortable with participating in LLI.”

“We are new to the ...community, having just retired. It has been a pleasure to meet the LLI members, albeit virtually. We are really enjoying the diversity of classes. You all are doing a great job! Thank you.”

“Excellent experience. Very grateful to have this opportunity. I have learned a lot.”

“I have been a member for many years now. I love the classes, the people are great, the campus is beautiful…being an LLI member certainly enriches my life.”

“I like that many of the Bard students I encounter engage in eye contact and offer a smile. I like that Security has generously freed up handicapped parking for us. I feel welcome on the campus.”