UMass Lowell Sessions to Feature Local Experts, Authors

UMass Lowell Image

01/08/2015

Contacts:  Christine Gillette, 978-934-2209 or Christine_Gillette@uml.edu and Nancy Cicco, 978-934-4944 or Nancy_Cicco@uml.edu

LOWELL, Mass. – The UMass Lowell Libraries will host a free, four-part reading and discussion series featuring local experts and authors who will share insights into the history of Lowell and Lawrence.

Back by popular demand this year, the local history series will begin on Tuesday, Jan. 27 and will feature UMass Lowell History Prof. Robert Forrant, UMass Lowell librarians Martha Mayo and Tony Sampas, and Lowell Fire Department Capt. Jason Strunk. Each will lead discussions on selected books from Arcadia Publishing’s “Images of America” and “Postcard History” series.

All sessions will run from 7 to 9 p.m. and be held in the O’Leary Library Learning Commons on UMass Lowell’s South Campus at 61 Wilder St., Lowell. Free parking is available across the street.

The sessions will be held on the dates and cover the book noted below:

  • Tuesday, Jan. 27 – “Lawrence and the 1912 Bread and Roses Strike,” led by Forrant, the book’s author; 
  • Thursday, Feb. 24 – “Lowell: The Mill City,” led by Mayo;
  • Thursday, March 26 – “Lowell Firefighting,” led by Strunk, the book’s author; 
  • Tuesday, April 21 – “Lowell: The River City,” led by Sampas.

Support for the series is provided by the UMass Lowell Center for Arts and Ideas.

“We are excited to offer our second reading and discussion series on local history and to enable these experts to share their knowledge with the public. This is our fourth series overall and we look forward to many more successful programs,” said Sara Marks, UMass Lowell’s instruction and outreach librarian. Previous discussion series focused on the works of Beat Generation writer and Lowell native Jack Kerouac.

Pre-registration is not required, but highly encouraged. Participants who pre-register will receive a copy of “Lawrence and the 1912 Bread and Roses Strike” by mail. Free copies of the other titles will be distributed at each session. Members of the public may pre-register at (http://uml.beta.libguides.com/programming) http://uml.beta.libguides.com/programming or by contacting Marks at 978-934-4581or Sara_Marks@uml.edu.

The University of Massachusetts Lowell Libraries consist of the O’Leary Library Learning Commons on South Campus, Lydon Library on North Campus and The Center for Lowell History, located at the Patrick J. Mogan Cultural Center in downtown Lowell. Information regarding library services, hours and more can be found at http://libweb.uml.edu/.

UMass Lowell is a national research university located on a high-energy campus in the heart of a global community. The university offers its more than 17,000 students bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in business, engineering, education, fine arts, health and environment, humanities, liberal arts, sciences and social sciences. UMass Lowell delivers high-quality educational programs, vigorous hands-on learning and personal attention from leading faculty and staff, all of which prepare graduates to be ready for work, for life and for all the world offers. www.uml.edu