The Demopolis Public Library continues to have events related to “The Big Read,” the statewide literacy awareness project centered around the novel “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.”

On Friday at noon, the library will host “Lunch at the Library.” Lunch plates will consist of fried chicken, sides and homemade Italian cheesecake, and the meal costs $7. Participants are also welcome to bring their own lunch. Tea will be provided. The guest speaker will be Travis Vaughn, a historian from Marion, who will discuss what life was like during the time that Mark Twain was writing “Tom Sawyer.”

“He writes for the newspaper in Marion,” said Demopolis Public Library director Morgan Grimes. “He teaches at Marion Military Institute, and his wife is the Marion-Perry County librarian. We’ll start eating at 12, and the program will start around 12:30.”

Vaughn will also speak at the Marengo County Nutrition Center in Linden on Friday, Feb. 26, at 11:30 a.m.

On Tuesday, Feb. 23, at 10 a.m., the library’s story time will feature “Good Golly, Aunt Polly,” a literary re-enactment of scenes from the novel. Members of the Demopolis High School theater students will perform and encourage the children to help act out some of the book’s scenes.

“They’ll get the kids involved,” Grimes said. “They’ll say a few lines, and then, the kids will say a few lines from the book. They will also teach the children a little bit about theater. They did this on Feb. 9, and a group from Greene County Headstart came, and it was really exciting. The children just loved it! They learned how to be creative and use their imagination.”

On Thursday, Feb. 25, at 5 p.m., the library will host a book discussion. Following the discussion, participants will watch “Mark Twain: A Film Directed by Ken Burns.”

“We’re going to use the NEA’s reader’s guide to go through it,” Grimes said. “If you can’t come at 5 to discuss the book, we invite you to come and watch the film. We’ll have snacks, too.”

“The Big Read” encourages people to read or re-read “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” to get people interested in reading for fun, allowing people to discuss the book with their families or friends. It was made possible through a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.