For over two decades, Mechanics' Institute has offered The Proust Seminar, a six-semester reckoning with Marcel Proust’s monumental seven-volume novel, In Search of Lost Time (also known as Remembrance of Things Past), a work Edmund White called “the most respected novel of the twentieth century.” The seminar is led by Dr. Mark Calkins, Lecturer Emeritus at San Francisco State University, and meets year-round (except July and August) on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month at 5:30pm.
The Spring 2026 Semester will begin on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, and continue for five months until June 23, 2025. Please note the seminar dates below:
- February 10
- February 24
- March 10
- March 24
- April 7
- April 21
- May 5
- May 19
- June 9
- June 23
In February 2026, the next cohort (2026-28) will begin reading the first volume, Swann's Way. Dr. Calkins will be using the Penguin Deluxe Classics edition (trans. Davis), though any translation is welcome. There is no assigned reading for the first introductory session on February 10, 2026.
Mechanics' Institute offers both member and non-member registration options for the Proust Seminar. To join as a member to access the member pricing for this seminar, please join here.
For questions about registration, contact programs@milibrary.org or 415-393-0103.
For questions about curriculum please contact Dr. Calkins at mcalkins@sfsu.edu.
Cancellation policy:
For each seminar, we reserve the right to cancel at any time and issue a full refund. If you are unable to attend the seminar, please email programs@milibrary.org or call 415-393-0103 by Wednesday, February 4, 2026 to receive a full refund, less any non-refundable ticketing fees which may be applicable. All fees must be paid at the time of registration. After Wednesday, February 4, no refunds will be issued.
