LPL & APL to Host Fall/Winter Book Series
The Lewiston and Auburn public libraries are joining forces with the Maine Humanities Council to host “Becoming American: Struggles, Successes, Symbols,” a book discussion series starting on October 17th at 6 pm at the Auburn Public Library. The meeting location will then alternate between the two libraries through the final session in January.
“Becoming American: Struggles, Successes, Symbols” will explore how the quest for ethnic identity in this country is one of infinite variation—from era to era, region to region, group to group, person to person. Participants may journey not only into our own ethnic pasts, but also into those of our countrymen, our brothers and sisters.
The books can in no way cover the wide spectrum of ethnic backgrounds found in the United States, nor is any of them intended to offer a definitive portrait of the group represented. Instead, it is hoped that within these works, those qualities—the struggles, successes, and symbols—that make each group unique, and those that are common to every ethnic American experience, are revealed to the reader.
The discussions will be facilitated by Susan Beegel, a scholar facilitator selected by the Maine Humanities Council. Copies of the first book, Woman Warrior, may be picked up at the Auburn Public Library and should be read for the October 17th meeting.
The other books in the five novel series include
- November 7th at LPL: Bless Me Ultima
- November 28th at APL: Go Tell It On The Mountain
- December 19th at LPL: An Orphan in History, and
- January 9th at APL: The Way to Rainy Mountain
Preregistration is required for the reading series because space is limited. To register please call the Auburn Public Library at 333-6640 Ext. 4. The first book may be picked up at the Auburn Public Library Reference Desk on the second floor.
“Becoming American: Struggles, Successes, Symbols” is one of several book discussion programs offered through the Maine Humanities Council’s “Let’s Talk About It” series, a free reading and discussion group with copies of books available through the library. This program is provided by the Maine Humanities Council’s Maine Center for the Book in cooperation with the Maine State Library.
The program coincides with another collaborative effort spearheaded by Museum L-A to encourage conversation, celebration, and understanding around the issue of immigration. Museum L-A applied and was selected as one of thirty-two sites across twenty-four states to host a film series. Both the Auburn Public Library and Lewiston Public Library are part of this exciting group effort. More information on these programs will be released soon.
