Join the Friends of the Richland County Public Library and the University of South Carolina Institute for Southern Studies for a book discussion and signing by Brian Ray, the second in the Southern Writers Series that features several of the South’s best authors, at 6 p.m., on Monday, February 8 at the Main Library, 1431 Assembly St., Columbia.

South Carolina First Novel Prize winner Brian Ray is best known as author of Through the Pale Door (2009). Originally from Georgia, Ray studied creative writing at the University of South Carolina at Columbia. Ray now lives in Greensboro, N.C. Visit www.brianrayfiction.com for more information.

Additional authors featured in the Southern Writers Series are Percival Everett, 6 p.m., Wednesday, February 24; Pamela Duncan, 6 p.m., Thursday, March 18, Robert Inman, 6 p.m., Thursday, April 1; and Margaret Maron, 6 p.m., Thursday, April 15.  The Friends of RCPL is a nonprofit organization that works to raise support for and awareness of the library. Friends’ memberships begin at only $25. Visit www.myRCPL.com/friends or call 929-3475 for more details on membership or this special event.

The Institute for Southern Studies, which promotes the varied resources available at USC and in the community, is led by Dr. Walter Edgar. For more information on the Institute, call 777-2340.