WEST PARIS – A discussion in the One Book One Community program will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 2, at the West Paris Public Library.

This project is an effort to build a greater sense of community through the shared experience of reading and sharing. The book, “Ernie’s Ark,” is a collection of interconnected short stories by Maine author Monica Wood. It is available at the West Paris library for $4.

A series of programs and discussions have been set up throughout the area. Jeanette Baldridge will be the discussion leader. A kickoff event will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 1, at Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School Forum. Wood will be the speaker. The organizers will also present material on the program, activities, book discussions and more.

For information phone the West Paris library at 674-2004. Library hours are from 1:30 to 6 p.m. Monday and Fridays and from 1:30 to 7 p.m. Wednesdays.

Talk on Thoreau

HEBRON – Peter Coviello will talk about the life and legacy of American author Henry David Thoreau at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 3, at the Hupper Library on the Hebron Academy campus.

This event is part of the Oxford Hills One Book, One Community program and was inspired by the story “Take Care Good Boy,” which is included in “Ernie’s Ark,” the work selected for the Oxford Hills community reading project. Coviello, whose special interest is in 19th century American literature, is a teacher at Bowdoin College’s English Department. He also serves as chairman of Bowdoin’s program in gay and lesbian studies. He holds degrees from Northwestern and Cornell universities, and is the author of “Intimacy in America: Dreams of Affiliation in Antebellum Literature,” which will be released in April.

The program is free and open to the public. The snow date is March 4 at the same time and place. For information phone 743-5309.