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Regional and national literary scholars are joining in the discussions on The Maltese Falcon taking place in the hometown public libraries of the Pioneer Library System as part of The Big Read. All the discussions are free and open to the public.

Bill Hagen, English professor at Oklahoma Baptist University, will join book discussions at the Purcell Public Library on Tuesday, March 30 at 11:30 a.m., and a movie discussion at the Shawnee Public Library on Thursday, April 29 at 6:30 p.m.

John Springer, professor of film studies at the University of Central Oklahoma, will lend his expertise as a film historian and theorist to film noir screenings and book discussions in three area libraries. The Noble Public Library explores the Thin Man movie series (based upon novels by Hammett) with Springer on at 7 p.m. Friday, March 19. The Norman Public Library features Springer in a Dinner and a Movie program Friday, April 9 at 6 p.m.

Food is also featured at the Ravenous Readers Book Discussion at the McLoud Public Library Tuesday, April 13 at 6 p.m. University of Oklahoma English professor Susan Kates is the scholar/presenter for this discussion of The Maltese Falcon.

Scholar participation in The Big Read: The Maltese Falcon is supported by the Oklahoma Humanities Council, Norman Arts Council, and local Friends of the Library organizations.

For more information about these events, The Big Read, or any of the library programs and services offered by the Pioneer Library System, call or visit any public library in Cleveland, McClain, or Pottawatomie County.