This October, the North Olympic Library System, in collaboration with community partners around the Olympic Peninsula, introduces Clallam County Reads, a book club for the entire county. This series of free, educational and community-building events and programs will take place throughout October and center around the themes explored in the book club’s official selection, “The Boys in the Boat,” by Daniel James Brown. This inspirational true story celebrates the 1936 U.S. Olympic rowing team, when nine working-class young men took the sport — and world — by storm.

The Clallam County Reads program series will culminate with a visit and presentation by Daniel James Brown. The free author talk and book signing will be at 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, in the auditorium of Port Angeles High School. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m.

How to participate

Participating in the program is easy: Simply stop by any NOLS branch location and, beginning Sept. 23, pick up your free copy of “The Boys in the Boat” and its accompanying reader’s guide. Copies of the original edition — as well as an adaptation for younger readers — are available on a first-come, first-served basis and are yours to keep. The book is also available in alternative formats such as large-print and e-audio.

Events and programs

In addition to Brown’s talk, a series of programs and events will be offered throughout the month that explore the themes of “The Boys in the Boat,” including book discussions, screenings of the 2016 PBS documentary “The Boys of ’36,” a scavenger hunt for teens, live music, opportunities to meet competitive rowers from the University of Washington, and more. All Clallam County Reads events are free and open to the public. For a complete schedule, visit www.nols.org and select “Events,” or pick up a reader’s guide at your nearby NOLS location.

More information

Additional community organizations involved in the planning and support of Clallam County Reads include the Olympic Peninsula Rowing Association; the Port Angeles and Sequim education foundations; the Port Angeles and Sequim school districts; the Quileute Nation; Sequim Museum & Arts; Trinity United Methodist Church; and the University of Washington Women’s Rowing Team. Clallam County Reads is supported by Friends of the Library groups in Port Angeles, Sequim, Forks and Clallam Bay.

For more information about the Clallam County Reads program series and book club, visit www.nols.org, send an email to Discover@nols.org, or call 360-417-8500.