BANGOR – Bangor Public Library will begin its “Bangor Reads!” series with a talk by Civil War author Tom Desjardin on Saturday.

Desjardin, a Maine native who did his doctoral work in American history at the University of Maine, wrote “Stand Firm, Ye Boys From Maine” about the 20th Maine and the soldiers’ participation at Gettysburg.

The historian is known for his use of firsthand accounts of the war in his writing.

Events are free and open to the public. The events include:

. Jan. 5 at 2 p.m.: Tom Desjardin, author of “Stand Firm, Ye Boys From Maine.” Copies of “The Killer Angels” by Michael Shaara will be available for purchase.

. Jan. 9 at noon: informal brown bag discussion group on the Pulitzer Prize-winning “The Killer Angels.”

. Jan. 10 at 7 p.m.: Bill Cook, local history librarian, “Medicine in the Civil War,” and Kathy Cook: “Women in the Civil War.” Copies of “The Killer Angels” will be available for purchase.

. Jan. 12 at 2 p.m.: Jennifer Armstrong, singer and storyteller: Children’s Program in Story Room.

. Jan. 14 at 2 p.m.: slide show: “Illustrated Biography of Joshua L. Chamberlain,” with Deborah A. Smith, executive director of the Pejepscot Historical Society, Brunswick.

. Jan. 16 at noon: informal brown bag discussion group on “The Killer Angels.”

. Jan. 17 at 7 p.m.: scholar-led Book Discussion Group with Kathleen Ellis.

. Jan. 19 from noon to 5 p.m.: the movie “Gettysburg.”

. Jan. 19 at 10 a.m.: . Jan. 10 at 7 p.m.: Bill Cook, local history librarian, “Medicine in the Civil War,” and Kathy Cook: “Women in the Civil War,” designed as a children’s program; Story Room.

. Jan. 23 at noon: informal brown bag discussion group on “The Killer Angels.”

. Jan. 24 at 7 p.m.: Diane Smith, author of “Fanny and Joshua.”

. Jan. 26 at 10 a.m.: “Walking Tour of Civil War Sites,” with Ryan King, volunteer with Bangor Historical Society.

. Jan. 26 at 2 p.m.: “Joshua Chamberlain Through the Eyes of George Adams, father-in-law,” with Dr. William Imes, president of the Bangor Theological Seminary.

. Jan. 28 at 6 p.m.: The movie “Gettysburg” (part one): discussion after film with Dr. David C. Smith.

. Jan. 29 at 6 p.m.: the movie “Gettysburg” (part two); discussion after film with Dr. David C. Smith.

. Jan. 30 at noon: informal brown bag discussion group on “The Killer Angels.”

. Jan. 31 at 7 p.m.: “Life on the Southern home front during the Civil War” with professor Marli Weiner, University of Maine.

. Feb. 2 and 3: Maine Discovery Museum: two days of 19th century crafts, games and activities. This program will be held at the museum, and is included with the price of admission.

. Feb. 4 at 2 p.m.: Melissa MacCrae, author of “No Place for Little Boys.”

. Feb. 6 at noon: informal brown bag discussion group on “The Killer Angels.”

. Feb. 7 at 7 p.m.: scholar-led Book Discussion Group.

. Feb. 14 at 7 p.m.: slide show on Gettysburg with Bill Cook, local history librarian.

. Feb. 16 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.: “Encampment Depiction with the 20th Maine, B Company.”

. Feb. 16 at 2 p.m.: “Meet Joshua L. Chamberlain,” with Brian Higgins: Children’s Program in Story Room.

For more information, contact the library at 947-8336.