The Friends of the Dartmouth Libraries will hold an art lecture series and an author talk in the upcoming weeks.

On January 23, the Friends will begin part two of a three-part series titled “How to Look at and Understand Great Art,” starting at 11 a.m. The first part of the lecture was presented last year, and Friends officials said it received enthusiastic reviews.

The lecture video series stars Professor Sharon Latchlaw Hirsch, President of Rosemont College. The lectures guide viewers on an in-depth exploration of the practical skill of viewing art through the lenses of line, light, perspective and composition.

Using masterpieces of well-known painting and sculpture as well as hands-on studio demonstrations, Professor Hirsch helps deepen one’s knowledge and appreciation of great works of art.

Two thirty-minute lectures will be shown every Tuesday. The lectures are free and open to the public and the library is handicap accessible.

The series will go on in the event of inclement weather unless the library is closed. In that case, the snow days are February 13 and 20. Showings are at the Southworth Library, 270 Dartmouth Street.

The final part of the series will be presented next year.

On February 3 at 7 p.m, the Friends of the Dartmouth Libraries will welcome author and former Standard-Times reporter Maureen Boyle to discuss her newest book, Shallow Graves: The Hunt for the New Bedford Highway Serial Killer.

The book chronicles the investigation into the unsolved 1988 killings, using interviews with retired police detectives, records, court transcripts, and grand jury testimony. Although suspects were investigated, the crimes were never solved.

Seating is limited, and free reservation tickets are available at the Southworth Library. Call (508) 999-0726 ext. 1 to reserve tickets. With a $16 donation to the Friends, a copy of the book will be provided.