E-books — and poetry. They may not seem to have much in common, but they're both hot trends for readers at century's end. In this hour of To the Best of Our Knowledge, poetry as a millennial experience: Molly Peacock explains the appeal of her "screen-sized art." Also, digital books, the Go-on Girls! Book Club, and a poet's take on twentieth century creativity.

David Rothman tells Judith Strasser about TeleRead — his scheme to establish a vast digital library available free to everybody. Rothman is the author of "Networld!: What People Are Really Doing on the Internet, and What It Means to You." Also, Monique Greenwood, Executive Editor as Essence Magazine and co-author (with Lynda Johnson and Tracy Mitchell-Brown) of "The Go On Girl! Book Club Guide for Reading Groups," tells Steve Paulson that reading groups have a long history among African Americans and function as both social clubs and agents of social change.

Poet Molly Peacock talks Jim Fleming through "Let Evening Come," by Jane Kenyon and says poetry is popular again because it never lies to us. Peacock is the author of "How To Read A Poem and Start a Poetry Circle." We also hear Judith Strasser read the Kenyon poem in full. And, poet Joan Murray reads excerpts from her volume "Looking for the Parade," and talks with Judith Strasser about the role of poetry in the twentieth century.

Laurie Finke teaches courses in women's and gender studies at Kenyon College, and is the author of "Women's Writing in English." She tells Judith Strasser about some women writers from the Middle Ages and explains that in the age of hand-copied manuscripts, people had a different concept of what authorship meant.

Distribution dates:

• week of 07/18/99 - hour 3