By Diana Stirling

Mammoth Public Library has opened registration for Pushing the Limits! Pushing the Limits is a reading, viewing and discussion program for adults in communities served by rural libraries, made possible by a grant from the National Science Foundation. And Mammoth Library has pushed the limits even further by adding hands-on workshops and field trips to the schedule.

The programs are organized around four themes: Connection, Nature, Knowledge, and Survival. For each theme there is a suggested book title that will be used for the discussion. The books are available in a variety of formats, including audio, digital, and print copies. We will also have videos of author interviews and human interest stories created especially for the program. Dr. Linda Leigh will be our science guide.

Tuesday, Feb. 5 at 6 p.m.: Connection–discussion and viewing. Book: Thunderstruck by Erik Larson

Saturday, Feb. 9, 9 a.m.: Biosphere 2–field trip with Linda Leigh

Tuesday, Feb. 16, 6 p.m: Nature–discussion and viewing. Book: When the Killing’s Done by T.C. Boyle

Saturday, Feb. 23, 4 p.m.: Bioactivity–making miniature biospheres with Linda Leigh

Saturday, Mar. 2, 4 p.m.: Bird Walk in the Bosque–field trip with Celeste Andresen

Tuesday, Mar. 5, 6 p.m.: Knowledge–discussion and viewing. Book: The Land of Painted Caves by Jean Auel

Saturday, Mar. 9, 4 p.m.: Primate Bones—workshop with Maren Wilson

Saturday, Mar. 16, 4 p.m.: Mining Mars—workshop to suggest targets for high resolution images of Mars

Tuesday, Mar. 19, 6 p.m.: Survival–discussion and viewing. Book: Arctic Drift by Clive Cussler

Saturday, Mar. 23, 4 p.m.: Wrap-up–party and displays

All the programs are free, but pre-registration is required. The registration deadline is one week before the event. A light supper will be provided at the discussion and viewing sessions.

For more information, to check out books, to find out about the human interest topics, or to pre-register, please contact the library at 520-487-2026, 125 Clark St., in Mammoth.