KU Law faculty member Stephen McAllister speaks about Atticus Fitch, a character from Harper Lee’s novel To Kill A Mockingbird Thursday, April 28, 2011 at the Douglas County Courthouse.

Read Across Lawrence 2011 came to a close Thursday evening amid conversation about life lessons.

Lawrence Public Library’s community reading initiative concluded after three weeks of discussion, theater and guest appearances focused on Harper Lee’s 1960 novel “To Kill a Mockingbird.” Susan Brown, marketing director for the library, said the project had been well-received.

“Our sense is that this has been one of the most successful ever,” she said. “It’s been absolutely great.”

Thursday’s finale was held fittingly in the Douglas County Courthouse, 1100 Mass. The old-style courtroom, the kind like where the novel’s main legal battle took place, was nearly full with Read Across Lawrence participants eager to hear Kansas University law professor Stephen McAllister speak.

McAllister, who’s been a fan of the book since he first read it in law school, gave his presentation, “The World According to Atticus,” which he’s been doing since 2000. He spoke about the life lessons taught throughout the book as well as the legal implications in the American novel’s closing scenes.

McAllister talked about the importance of learning from children, facing our challenges and having courage.

“I think it’s a great story, and it means a lot to me,” McAllister said. “But it’s like any literature — it can mean different things to different people.”

When the event concluded, effectively ending Read Across Lawrence 2011, several participants asked Brown what the program, which took months to plan out, was cooking up for next year.

“First we’re going to put our feet up for a day,” she joked.