This year’s Read Across Lawrence book is L. Frank Baum’s “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.” Thirty copies of the book are available for five-day checkout at the Lawrence Public Library, 707 Vt., and 100 additional copies will be circulated around town to be read and passed on. Here’s a look at activities scheduled during February:

• Youth writing contest: Prizes will be awarded in two categories — essay writing and creative writing — in each of three age groups, grades 1-6, 7-9 and 10-12. Guidelines and entry forms are available at the library or from school librarians. Entry deadline is Feb. 13.
• Katharine Rogers, author of “L. Frank Baum: Creator of Oz,” speaks about the man who created the Land of Oz, 7 p.m. Feb. 3, library auditorium.
• “Oz and Its Illustrators,” book discussion about the original illustrations by W.W. Denslow and the many other illustrators who followed, led by Oz enthusiast Jane Albright, 7 p.m. Feb. 4, library auditorium.
• “Oz and Its Inspiration,” Southwest Missouri State University professor Joe Chaston explores the plethora of books, films, art, and other creative works inspired by “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,” 7 p.m. Feb. 5, Lawrence Arts Center auditorium.
• “Oz and Kansas,” discussion about the book’s representation of and lasting effect on the state of Kansas, led by Tom Averill, Washburn University English professor, 7 p.m. Feb. 11, library auditorium.
• “Oz and the Heroic Journey,” a look at Dorothy’s quest as part of the literary tradition of heroic journey, led by Stanley Lombardo, Kansas University classics professor, 7 p.m. Feb. 18, library auditorium.
• “Cosmic Coincidence?” the 1939 MGM film version of “The Wizard of Oz” is played simultaneously with Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon” album to explore the connections, 5:15 p.m. and 9 p.m. Feb. 25, Lawrence Arts Center auditorium, 940 N.H.

We’re off to read the Wizard Commentary: Book teaches tender lesson: ‘There’s no place like home’ Events scheduled for February book program

• “Oz: A Global Icon,” Michael Patrick Hearn, editor of “The Annotated Wizard of Oz” and an expert on the Oz phenomenon, talks about the global reach of Baum’s work, 7 p.m. Feb. 27, library auditorium.
• “Dorothy on Trial: A Reader’s Theatre,” for 11- to 18-year-olds only, a mock trial to determine whether Dorothy is guilty of theft and murder for her deeds, 2 p.m. Feb. 29, library auditorium.
• Oz memorabilia: Foreign language and pop-up versions of “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” will be on display in the cases in the library entrance, and Oz posters and memorabilia will be on display at the Lawrence Arts Center throughout the month.