Staff Writer

If you happen to notice an unusual number of Kennebunk residents with their noses buried in the novel “Treasure Island,” the question that some hope occurs to you is not “why” but “where did I leave my copy?”

The Kennebunk Free Library is rolling out a new program, “One Book, One Community,” focusing on Robert Louis Stevenson’s 1883 pirate classic with the aim of getting everyone in town on the same page – or at least the same book.

More than a month of events tied to the book, including author visits, store promotions and cultural demonstrations kick off June 25.

“We’re trying to get as many people as possible to read the same book and talk about the same book,” Adult Services Assistant Librarian Leila Roy said. 

Roy said she has wanted to create this program for years, and hopes it will work well in a small community such as Kennebunk. 

The idea behind the program was developed in 1998 by Seattle Public Library’s Washington Center for the Book Executive Director Nancy Pearl. 

“It began with a grant from the Lila Wallace Foundation and grew out of a belief that book groups and book discussions overcome the differences we feel,” Pearl said. 

Pearl, who stepped down from her position as executive director four years ago, said she selected “The Sweet Hereafter” by Russell Banks to launch the program. The novel, set in a community dealing with the aftermath of a school bus accident, addresses the human condition as people deal with tragedy, Pearl said. 

“We didn’t pick well-known books or classics,” Pearl said. “We wanted to find something well-written that made for good discussion with meat to them.”

Taking the idea behind getting one community to read one book and catalyze discussion, Roy chose a familiar, classic book. She said “Treasure Island” is a novel that can be appreciated by all ages and was one of her first ideas for the program.

“People recognize the title and are familiar with the book. They’re willing to read it or eager to revisit it,” Roy said. 

Adult Services Librarian Janet Cate said with the high-seas adventure plot, the library was able to set up a month of free programming for the whole family. 

Three book discussions are scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday, July 20, and 11 a.m. Friday, July 24, and Thursday, July 30, Cate said.

In addition to the group discussions, she said the library has scheduled presentations from local author of “The Republic of Pirates” Colin Woodward and Stevenson scholar Dr. Jason Pierce, a gold-panning demonstration from Maine Gold Prospectors Harry Blake and a sea chantey workshop with Bob Webb.

Roy said the monthly trivia night will have a pirate and ocean theme, and the library will have pirate-themed movies showing throughout the month. 

“I’m most excited for the Errol Flynn movies,” Roy said of the romantic swashbuckling roles the actor played in a variety of films. 

Kennebunk Free Library has ordered an additional 20 copies of “Treasure Island” to add to its current collection of four, Roy said. They are also anticipating borrowing some from other Maine libraries.

She said patrons may access the book, in print and audio format, as well as the full schedule of programs through the library’s Web site, www.kennebunkfreelibrary.org. 

Staff writer Emma Bouthillette can be reached at 282-4337 ext. 237.