Every year on June 16, around the world, James Joyce devotees ob-serve Bloomsday, the celebration of Joyce, his epic novel Ulysses, and the book's central character, Leopold Bloom. Bloomsday festivals, usually centered around readings of the literary masterpiece, have been known to last up to 24 hours.

On that day this year, in the George Peabody Library at the Peabody Institute in Mt. Vernon, the Friends of the Johns Hopkins Libraries will celebrate Bloomsday and the classic novel that changed the 20th-century literary landscape. Beer and wine will be served as local celebrities take turns reading passages from Ulysses, the story of Leopold Bloom and his 18-hour journey through the streets of Dublin, which begins at 8 a.m., June 16, 1904, and ends at 2 a.m. the next morning.

Ulysses is considered one of the most important literary works of our century because of its symbolism, lyricism and complexity. Although the novel has become accepted by critics, scholars and readers around the world--and is now regarded as one of the most profound works of modern literature--its stream of consciousness prose was widely criticized by many scholars when it was first published, in 1922, for being too explicit and obscene. It was quickly banned in many countries, including Ireland and the United States.

This program, sponsored by the Friends of the Johns Hopkins Libraries, Bibelot bookstores and Rotunda Wine and Spirits, begins at 5:30 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public.

For more information or to make a reservation, call 410-516-8327.