What does the Seymour Library have in common with the San Diego Public Library, the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh and the Poughkeepsie Public Library?

All four libraries are a few of the 50 libraries nationwide that participated in a competitive grant process and received funds to host a five-part reading and discussion series called “Let's Talk About It: Love and Forgiveness.”

The series explores the theme of love and forgiveness in everyday life through classic and contemporary literature. It was developed by the American Library Association and the Fetzer Institute's Campaign for Love and Forgiveness.

“Let's Talk About It” was initiated on a national level in 1982 by the American Library Association. The program has reached more than 4 million people in libraries around the United States in the past 25 years. The mission of the Fetzer Institute is to foster awareness of the power of love and forgiveness in the emerging global community, resting on its conviction that efforts to address the worlds' critical issues must go beyond political, social and economic strategies to their psychological and spiritual roots. Launched in 2006, the Campaign for Love & Forgiveness uses community activities, PBS documentaries, online resources, and networking opportunities to encourage conversation about how love and forgiveness can effect meaningful change in individuals and society.

The Seymour Library will host monthly book discussions beginning this month led by Dr. Maryanne Felter, professor of English at Cayuga Community College. The library will also sponsor movies with community partners. Registration is required for the book discussions, and those interested should visit the library or call 252-2571.

Sheila Mikkelson is director of the Seymour Library in Auburn.

If you go

• Book discussion of “Sense and Sensibility,” 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 21, Seymour Public Library, Genesee Street, Auburn. Discussion of this classic novel by Jane Austen.

• Book discussion of “The History of Love,” 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 25, Seymour Public Library. Discussion of a contemporary novel by Nicole Krauss.

• Movie, “The Mystery of Love,” 6:30 p.m., Westminster Presbyterian Church, 17 William St., Auburn. Movie explores the many kinds of love that give shape and meaning to life through real love stories of marriage, parents and children, romance, brotherly love, altruism, divine love, love of community, even the love of war

• Book discussion of “A Winter's Tale,” 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 25, Seymour Public Library. Attendees will take a look at William Shakespeare's tragicomedy.

• Book discussion, “The Essential Rumi,” 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 29, Seymour Public Library. A discussion of poems by the 13th century mystic who is one of today's most popular poets,

• Movie, “For the Bible Tells Me So,” 6:30 p.m., Thursday, May 7, Cayuga Community College, 197 Franklin St., Auburn. Movie explores homosexuality and religion and includes interviews with former presidential candidate Dick Gephardt, whose daughter is a lesbian, and Gene Robinson, a gay man who became bishop of New Hampshire's Episcopal Church in 2004. It also focuses of families who find that they must forgive their gay sons and lesbian daughters. This documentary was the winner of the Audience Award for Best Documentary at the Seattle International Film Festival.

• Book discussion of “Atonement,” 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 20, Seymour Public Library. “Atonement” is a contemporary novel by Ian McEwan.