Metro is a partner in the city's inaugural One Book, One Denver program, a reading initiative that encourages everyone in the greater Denver community to read the same book at the same time.

Mayor John Hickenlooper will announce the selected book on March 1. While this is Denver's first year to embark on this reading initiative, the program already has been very successful in many cities.

Metro is joining other local organizations in hosting and participating in activities in March and April that will encourage people to read and get involved with the community through book discussions, lectures and events.

"I'm excited to participate in the program," said Bill Hamilton, chair of the English Department and Metro's representative to the One Book, One Denver committee. "I like the idea of riding on a bus and seeing everyone reading the same book."

The Auraria Library will have 180 copies of the book available for limited checkout status in the Reserve Book Room. The book will also be available at the Denver Public Library, its branch libraries and area booksellers.

Two Auraria campus-wide events are currently scheduled for April. The book's author will be at the Starz FilmCenter for a talk and film screening on April 15 at 7 p.m. The author will discuss cinematic influences on his narrative style and Western imagery in his writing.

On April 17 at 1 p.m. at the St. Francis Center, CU-Denver history Professor Tom Noel will lead a discussion of the book's descriptive references to the West and the influence of Colorado's rivers in Western literature. Both events are free and open to the public on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Metro's Hamilton is working with the Colorado Endowment for the Humanities to plan community outreach activities. Information on upcoming events will appear in future @Metro editions.