Residents discuss same book

Library officials have scheduled several community get-togethers to discuss the highlighted book of the library's One Book, One Community program.

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The community has four chances to discuss The Sweet Everlasting, by Judson Mitcham, before he makes an April 21 visit to the library to lead his own book discussion. The book is one of four voted on by residents to read for the program.

"He's going to be signing books," said Jessica Thompson, a branch librarian at the Columbia County Library in Evans.

One Book, One Community is a community-wide program organized to promote the reading of a selected readership of a selected book, which will encourage community discussions, expand horizons, promote literacy and foster a shared appreciation of thought-provoking books, officials have said.

A book discussion specifically for teens is scheduled for 3 p.m. today at the Columbia County Library on Ronald Reagan Drive.

"We want them to feel free to speak," Thompson said.

Two brown-bag discussion groups are scheduled for 11:30 a.m. Wednesday and again at 11:30 a.m. April 11 at the library.

Thompson said brown bag lunches or portable meals from restaurants such as the Footnotes Cafe inside the library are welcome.

A discussion group for the Euchee Creek Library will meet at 6:30 p.m. Monday.

All library-sponsored book discussion groups are free and open to the public.

Thompson said the first discussion group was held Monday.

"It went really well," Thompson said. "We had about 20 people."

Harlem also held a discussion Tuesday.

Individuals are welcome to form their own book discussion groups as did a group of ladies who meet monthly for lunch or a recently formed group at Brandon Wilde for its residents.

Thompson said hardback versions of the book are available at Books-A-Million and a limited number is available to be checked out from the library.

Sales of paperback copies, available at the Columbia County Library for $12 each, benefit The Columbia County Friends of the Library.

For more information, visit www.columbiacountyga.gov and follow the links to the libraries page or call Thompson at (706) 447-7660.