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!
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
[Let's Talk About It provides] good opportunities for people of different ages and life styles in the community to get together. — Auburn
It brings people together, some from 30-50 miles away, with a common interest in a good book discussion group.... The program brought new faces to the library and fostered acquaintances among attendees. [Let's Talk About It] got people to come out on winter nights! — Prospect Harbor
Our book group really appreciates participating in these series. They rejuvenate our minds.... The books were excellent, and well ordered. [It was] good to have a facilitator bringing in more varied thoughts— "new blood" [for our reading group]. — Charleston
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
It is certainly easier, from an administrative point of view, to use MHC books. And they offer variety: many of the participants have said that they... were glad they had been exposed to reading books they never would have read or known about otherwise, and to have had the chance to talk about them with others. One comment about the series Opening Windows: Women's Stories from Different Cultures is worth repeating: "This series made you go a lot of places." — Limerick
Comments From Participants:
The series provided an opportunity for members of the community to come together and share literature. Many of the patrons knew one another, but seldom saw each other.... It also provided an opportunity for patrons to meet others from neighboring communities. — Eliot & Kittery
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
We appreciated the opportunity for literary analysis and exchange of ideas in a public forum. — Prospect Harbor
[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
