Mentor Public Library marks anniversary of 'Shawshank Redemption'

Jul. 31—Mentor Public Library is commemorating the 30th anniversary of "The Shawshank Redemption" with a trio of programs at its Main Branch, according to a news release.

First, the library will host a free screening of the movie at 6 p.m. Aug. 5.

Then, author Mark Dawidziak will discuss what he learned while writing "The Shawshank Redemption Revealed" at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 12. Dawidziak interviewed more than 70 people for his book, including Stephen King, director Frank Darabont, and the film's stars Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman. (For those wondering what King had to do with "The Shawshank

Redemption," he wrote the novella that inspired the film.)

Finally, discover the history of the film's setting — Ohio's own Mansfield Reformatory — during a free lecture at 6 p.m. Aug. 27. In its almost a century of operation, the reformatory housed dangerous criminals but also offered training programs and became a self-sustaining institution — the largest of its kind in the United States.

All of these programs are free to attend. Due to limited space, registration is required. Sign up at www.mentorpl.org or by calling the library at 440-255-8811 ext. 1.