A variety of events are scheduled around the book “A Lesson Before Dying.”

FARMINGTON – Set in a small Cajun community in the late 1940s, “A Lesson Before Dying,” by Ernest J. Gaines is the story of the friendship of two black men – one wrongly condemned to die and one who reluctantly forces him to search for pride and dignity.

Staff at the University of Farmington’s Mantor Library are encouraging the campus and community members to read the book and participate in the events scheduled for One Book, One Campus 2004.

From April 5 to 16 there will be displays, a speaker, films, discussion groups and other activities relating to “A Lesson Before Dying” and its themes. Highlights include:

“A Lesson Before Dying”: the film version of the novel, at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 6, in the Latte Landing, Olsen Student Center.

“The Death Penalty: A Human Rights Issue or Just Another Government Program?”: Joshua Rubenstein, northeast regional director for Amnesty International, at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 13, in CR123, Olsen Student Center. Refreshments will be served.

“Playing the Blues”: a concert of blues selections from the 1930s and 1940s, performed by musicians Steve Levine and Don Emery, at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 14, in Nordica Auditorium.

By having everyone reading the same book at the same time, the hope is to get the campus and community excited about reading and talking to one another – to bring people together with a shared common reading experience. Reading the novel is not a requirement to attend the events. Anyone interested in the topics and themes is welcome.

All are free and open to the public. For more information, visit the One Book, One Campus 2004 Web site at http://departments.umf.maine.edu/~library/OBOC or contact Shelly Davis at 778-7224. A schedule of events can be found on the Web site, and printed schedules are available at the Mantor Library.