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3 Counties, 1 Book
By Ben Beagle, Daily News Lifestyles Editor
Jan. 18, 2003
BATAVIA, N.Y. -- Charles Dickens was inspired by the French Revolution to write "A Tale of Two Cities."
Leslie DeLooze, a librarian at Richmond Memorial Library, is hoping to inspire a kind of reading revolution with "A Tale for Three Counties."
That is the name of the project she is leading with more than a dozen other libraries to encourage everyone in Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties to read the same book, Leif Enger's best-selling "Peace Like a River."
"The program is about the joy of sharing a good book, especially at a time of year when people are looking for something to do," DeLooze said.
The idea of one community, one book is not new. It started five years ago in Seattle with author visits, study guides and discussion groups to create a bond among strangers participating in the normally solitary endeavor of reading.
In recent years, the project has been copied in dozens of cities, including nearby Buffalo and Rochester.
The local project stands out because it is being done in rural communities across two library systems.
"Rural areas are a terrific location for this kind of project," Nancy Pearl, executive director of the Washington Center for the Book at the Seattle Public Library, said in a telephone interview.
"The role of the library is to be the cultural center of the community. This is a great way to do it," said Pearl, who is credited with introducing the concept.
The key, Pearl said, is in choosing the right book.
The rural nature of "Tale for Three Counties" is reflected by the selection of Enger's debut novel.
"Peace Like a River" is set in the Minnesota countryside and the badlands of the Dakotas in the early 1960s. The story is told in retrospect by Reuben Land, an asthmatic 11-year-old, who looks back as an adult on a turbulent few months in his family's life.
Reuben's older brother, Davy, is accused of murder. When Davy escapes from jail, Reuben, his father -- who may have the power, and faith, to bestow miracles -- and precocious 9-year-old-sister set out in the family's Airstream trailer to find him.
"It's probably not like a lot of things you read," DeLooze said. "There's a lot about faith, family, relationships and justice. And if that sounds heavy, there's a lighter side. The little sister is writing an epic western."
Book discussions are scheduled at 13 libraries in Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties between Feb. 18 and March 20, a week before Enger comes to the area for three days of talks and book signings. One program with the author is planned in each county.
"I hope we can pull in people who typically don't go to book discussions," said Sue Border, director of Woodward Memorial Library in Le Roy, Genesee County.
Bookmarks, buttons and a Web site are being used to build a buzz for the project.
"I think if people see their neighbor on the street with a button that says 'I've read 'A Tale for Three Counties' they'll start talking about it," Border said. "It'll give people an awareness of the project, and of a good book."
DeLooze said she had been wanting to do the project for some time. Originally conceived as a solely Batavia project, plans expanded when DeLooze thought there would be more interest if the project was open to readers in the larger geographic area.
"I think it will probably work in a rural area for the same reason it works in cities," DeLooze said. "People have an interest in reading and it's fun to do something with other people."
Directors from the other libraries, large and small, were enthusiastic when approached about the project.
"I was kind of jealous when they did it in Rochester," said Peggy Parker, director of the Perry Public Library in Wyoming County. "I liked the appeal of having a shared reading experience."
"Peace Like a River" was already a best-seller and had won some awards when organizers for "A Tale for Three Counties" selected it. They wanted a book that was well-written, had topics for discussion, appealed to male, female and teen-ager readers, and one in which its author would be available.
"I think it's a great idea," said Mary Zangerle, director of Lee-Whedon Library in Medina, Orleans County. "Larger metropolitan areas are doing it, so why can't a rural area? I want to get people talking and excited about reading."
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On the Net:
Washington Center for the Book at Seattle Public Library:
http://www.spl.org/wacentbook/centbook.html
Richmond Memorial Library: www.batavialibrary.org
"A Tale for Three Counties" Web site: www.tale3counties.nioga.org
Page 8B
Lifestyles Section
Courtesy of Batavia Newspapers Corporation