August Events Not to Miss at the Dearborn Public Library

August is half over, and that means school is right around the corner. There are plenty of events planned to keep you and your children busy at the Dearborn Public Library before summer's end. Here are some highlights:

1. Bellini Opera Theatre

Dino Valle and company celebrate "2013: The Year of Italian Culture in the U.S." with a lecture and performance of songs and poetry by Dante, Petrarca and Puccini at the Henry Ford Centennial Library from 7 to 8 p.m. Aug. 22. The presentation is free and open to the public.

2. Let's go to the movies: Pixar Short Films

Join the Henry Ford Centennial Library on Aug. 26 at 2 p.m. for a showing of Pixar Short Films. No registration, but space is limited.

3. Create a book discussion group

The library added 12 new titles to the adult book club kits. Check the Book Club Kits link on the library website under "Online Services" and click New Titles or come in and take a look. Each kit is in a convenient canvas bag and generally includes 10 copies of the book and materials for facilitating discussions. Kits are located at Henry Ford Centennial Library and are shelved alphabetically by title in the adult reference stacks. You can check out up to two kits per library card for 45 days.

4. Blockbuster Film Series

On Aug. 26 the library will screen the 1967 film The Graduate starring Dustin Hoffman. The movie features the songs of Simon and Garfunkel.

5. Register for Let's Talk About It: Muslim Journeys, Connected Histories

This is a scholar-led reading and discussion series funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) in cooperation with the American Library Association (ALA) Public Programs Office.

Let's Talk About It: Muslim Journeys, Connected Histories is a five-part public reading and discussion series based on five different books.  The overarching theme of the series will explore the interconnectedness of the different faiths and civilizations before the dawn of the modern age.

The series begins on Sept. 17. Register for the program at the Henry Ford Centennial Library, 16301 Michigan Ave.