Let's Talk About It
A Special Let’s Talk About It Series... more
Each Let's Talk About It program consists of 4 or 5 books on the same theme. A scholar-facilitator helps to add depth and breadth to the conversation, creating a good atmosphere for discussion and making sure everyone feels free to share their ideas and questions with one another.
And it’s very easy! The Maine Humanities Council loans the books, identifies the scholar, provides publicity materials, and offers advice on organizing and publicizing your program. Let's Talk About It is free of charge to any Maine library or nonprofit organization. We would love to have your library involved and in 2010 we will have three new series for you to choose from!
Here Is What Librarians Have Said About
Let's Talk About It:
Application Information
Here is the application, in PDF and in Word for Let's Talk About It. The instructions are included. If you have any problem downloading one of these or other questions, please do not hesitate to call (773-5051).
Please note the application deadline for hosting a Let's Talk About It program:
January 15 for a Summer Program
May 15 for the Fall
September 15 for Winter/Spring
In a small rural community our citizens do not often have the opportunity for the kind of stimulating conversation and interaction with scholars that this program provides. Having Maine Humanities Council make this program available in our libraries is invaluable since most of us could not afford this kind of quality programming from our own resources. —Norway
In a time when library budgets are severely strained, MHC makes it possible to offer top-notch adult educational programming. Our community—especially our seniors—appreciate the enrichment and fellowship. —Patten Free Library
Ten years ago when I was new and inexperienced at the Monroe Community Library I was so grateful to have the programs available to our new reading group. Let’s Talk About It formed the basis of an on going and vital reading group. The membership has changed over these past ten years, as it should, but the sense of community is still very strong. Rural towns are so special and we appreciate the benefits that our library, which is completely run by volunteers due to funding issues, has received. —Monroe
In rural communities such as ours, we realize the value of being able to offer such a quality service to our patrons. A library is a logical place to not only receive information, enjoy literature and widen a knowledge base, but as these programs have shown, it is also the place for an exchange of ideas. We heard many a lively debate and saw not a few friendships form and develop over the weeks of the program. —Calais
Each time [we have a program] I have witnessed townspeople who didn’t previously know each other come together and develop great friendships in the course of discussing literature. The scholars that have hosted these series have, without exception, been welcoming, encouraging, and of a caliber that would not otherwise be available to us. The program provides each library with multiple copies of each of the books in a series, removing economic barriers that might prevent some of our patrons from participating. —Blue Hill
[Let’s Talk About It provides] good opportunities for people of different ages and life styles in the community to get together. —Auburn
We have had very good experiences with the Let’s Talk About It programs. As soon as we complete one, our patrons are asking us what are we planning for next year. Most of our participants have had varied work experiences, and quite a few are from different parts of the state or different states. The one thing we all have in common is our love of books, reading, and the sharing of ideas. As I said last year, "The camaraderie of the participants makes this a highlight of our summer." I think that the growing number of participants makes this evident. —Greenville
Contact Us
For more information, please contact Lizz Sinclair at 773-5051 or e-mail at lizz@mainehumanities.org
Comments From Participants:
...a wonderfully rich experience. There’s the basic pleasure, which was predictable, like reading a lot of books that I might never have touched, and enjoying them under the hand of a skilled teacher. But then there’s the unexpected pleasure from getting to know new people in the area whom I never might have met but for the series. And the special experience of gaining new insights into lots of people whom I thought I knew pretty well. —Bluehill
I love the exchange of ideas with intelligent, thinking people. —Lisbon Falls
I just enjoy being with this group — the young to older age range — perspectives unique and often different from my own — an opportunity to stretch in ways often unexpected. Also, [the facilitator] brought to my attention aspects of the books that escaped my attention. It left me with a greater feeling of fulfillment and satisfaction and understanding. —Charleston
[The facilitator] really brought a depth of knowledgeable insight and enlightenment to the discussion [of the series Crossing Over: Contemporary Native American Writing]. She certainly opened our minds to the world and life of the modern Native American. —Winslow
The books were challenging and stimulating; the group discussions were open and lively. —Casco
We suffer from a lack of diversity. The series [on Cuban literature] opened our eyes to Hispanic culture and the political and artistic part of Cuba. It brought in people from way outside our community. —Damariscotta
[I liked the] group dynamics [and] the choice of reading material — reading some authors whom I had meant to read but hadn't gotten around to has inspired me to read more.... It is interesting to see how the same book can be interpreted so differently. —York
[I enjoyed having] stimulating book discussions with an excellent discussion leader in a nearby location. —Tenants Harbor
[I liked having an] opportunity to read Maine books that I might not have read otherwise...[and meeting] others in [my] area... .I also enjoyed the chance to do something different from my "day job".... interact[ing] with others on another level of common interest. —Belfast
I will sign up again and again! —York
