NORWAY – Norway Memorial Library has planned a summer series of book discussions and programs for adults related to the works of William Shakespeare.

Beginning at 7 p.m. Tuesday June 23, with “Views from a Bard,” participants will have opportunities to learn about Shakespeare through a variety of methods.

“Views from a Bard” will feature film clips from a number of Shakespeare plays, allowing for comparison of the many ways the same words have been interpreted and performed.

The program will be presented by Cynthia Reedy, who teaches science and languages at Hebron Academy and describes herself as a “life-long admirer of the man with the golden quill.”

Although a veteran of many OHMPAA productions, she has never had the opportunity to act in a Shakespeare play, but believes “Hope springs eternal. I’m too old to play Juliet, but Gertrude is still looking good!”

Future programs will include a one-hour performance of “Macbeth” at 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 14. The abridged version of the play will be performed by two actors and a musician under the direction of Michael Levine, all from Acorn Productions of Westbrook.

At 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 4, Sally Jones will present a talk, “Full of Sound and Fury,” sharing tidbits about the tumultuous lives of the Tudors and Stuarts and setting the scene for the times in which Shakespeare lived. Jones is a part-time teacher of drama and journalism at Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School.

The book discussion series includes three contemporary novels, all based on plots of plays by Shakespeare. The readings are “A Thousand Acres” by Jane Smiley, based on “King Lear”; “Undiscovered Country” by Lin Enger, based on “Hamlet”; and “Prospero’s Daughter” by Elizabeth Nunez, based on “The Tempest.”

The Discussion of “A Thousand Acres” will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 1; “Undiscovered Country, 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 22; and “Prospero’s Daughter,” 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 12. The facilitator of will be Margaret Reimer, PhD.

Reimer teaches literature and writing at the University of Southern Maine and has taught several courses at the Senior College at Bridgton.

To borrow a copy of any of the titles, contact the library or use a Norway Memorial Library card and request a copy online using the Minerva catalogue.

All programs are free and open to the public. To learn more, call the library at 743-5309, visit www.norway.lib.me.us or find the library on Facebook.