Library program will have book discussion tied to movie

The Aiken County Public Library has several events planned in January to help patrons fight the winter doldrums.

Some are one-time events; others kick off a series of programs.

A demonstration on Braille in honor of the 150th anniversary of Louis Braille's birth will be offered at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 4, at the library, and there will be a diabetes self-management program at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 11.

The Let's Talk About It book-discussion series will begin later in the month.

"The South Carolina Humanities Council has a wonderful program," library manager Michael Swan said.

The monthly program has featured just a discussion of a book, but this time there's a twist. The week before the discussion, the group will watch the movie made from the book.

"Most of the books are classics, but these have a little more popular appeal," he said.

Those books include Uncle Tom's Cabin, From Here to Eternity and Gone With the Wind.

"All except the first book are really long," he said.

People interested in the program should register and pick up the books as soon as they are available to allow them time to read them. The books are expected to be in the library by mid-January, he said.

Shane, by Frank Schaefer, is the first book in the series. The film will be shown at 7 p.m. Jan. 20, and the book discussion will be at 7 p.m. Jan. 27.

Another program in a series is The Great Discussion.

"We've done this the last two years," Mr. Swan said. "It's a current events program through the Foreign Policy Association."

The first discussion will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 25.

There is a fee of $20 to cover the cost of the workbook, and registration is required.

To register for the programs, visit the library at 314 W. Chesterfield St. or call (803) 642-2020.

Reach Charmain Brackett at charmain.brackett@augustachronicle.com.