Join us for our new Mechanics’ Hall Book Club, meeting every third Tuesday of the month at 6:30. This book discussion group will feature selections across genres, with a focus on diverse voices, contemporary issues, making, and issues of particular relevance to Mechanics’ Hall.

For March we will be discussing Michael Hillard’s new book, “Shredding Paper: The Rise and Fall of Maine’s Mighty Paper Industry.” From the early 20th century until the 1960s, Maine led the nation in paper production. University of Southern Maine economics professor Michael Hillard examines how national conglomerates began absorbing family-owned companies over time, which were subject to Wall Street demands for greater short-term profits after 1980. He tells the story of blue-collar workers and their families, and he analyzes how paper workers formulated a “folk” version of capitalism’s history in their industry. Ultimately, Hillard offers a telling example of the demise of big industry in the United States.

Newcomers and drop-ins welcome; membership is encouraged. Email us at library@mainemechanics.org to receive the Zoom link.

Membership with Mechanics’ Hall is free for students and starts at just $50 a year for individual memberships, which includes use of the library, free and discounted access to programs, and much more. Consider becoming a member today and helping to support programs like this.

We have a copy available through the library; email us at library@mainemechanics.org to see if ours is available. Alternatively, consider purchasing a copy from our partners at Print: A Bookstore.