FARMINGTON – Campus and community members are being encouraged to read “A Lesson Before Dying” by Ernest J. Gaines and to participate in the events scheduled for One Book, One Campus 2004.

The book, set in a small Cajun community in the late 1940s, is the moving and inspiring story about the friendship of two black men, one wrongly condemned to die and one who reluctantly forces him to search for pride and dignity.

From Monday to April 16, there will be displays, a speaker, films, discussion groups and other activities relating to the book and its themes. Highlights include: the film version of the novel shown at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 6, in the Latte Landing of Olsen Student Center at the University of Maine at Farmington.

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

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

By having everyone read the same book at the same time, the hope is to get the campus and community excited about reading and talking to one another and to bring people together with a shared common reading experience.

The program is not restricted to the university community; members of the public are invited to participate. Reading the novel is not a requirement. Anyone interested in the topics and themes of the events is welcome.

All events are free of charge and open to the public.

For more information, people can visit the the One Book, One Campus 2004 Web site at http://departments.umf.maine.edu/~library/OBOC or contact Shelly Davis, 778-7224.

A complete schedule of events can be found on the Web site and printed schedules are available at Mantor Library.

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