WESTFIELD — How does one make the transition from an academic background to success in the world of television and comedy criticism?

Westfield resident Kathryn VanArendonk will provide such insights in her upcoming talk as part of the 16th annual Hale Speaker Series.

Ms. VanArendonk’s talk, titled “Why Do We Need Critics in The Age of the Algorithm?,” is scheduled for Wednesday, April 2, at 7 p.m. in the Meeting Room of the Westfield Memorial Library, located at 550 East Broad Street.

A Kenyon College alumna, Ms. VanArendonk received her Ph.D. in English Literature from Stanford University, where she also served as an instructor. She also formerly taught at Union College. In addition to her writing/criticism work, she serves as president of the Westfield Memorial Library Foundation.

The hour-long talk is open to the public, but registration is required either online at www.wmlnj.org or by calling (908) 789 4090, extension 0. The Hale Speaker Series is named in honor of the late Lee Hale, its founder, and his late wife, Anne, and is made possible by grants from The Anne and Lee Hale Fund and The Glasser Foundation. The programs are available on the Westfield Memorial Library YouTube channel. Linnea Rhodes is chairman of the Hale Speaker Series committee, which also includes the Hales’ daughter, Barbara, as well as Mary Orlando, Ellen Albertson, Sherry Cronin, Marcy Lechner and Tina Lesher.