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A few final thoughts on 'A Tale for Three Counties'
Leslie DeLooze
April 12, 2003
A year and a half ago, I couldn't begin to imagine what "A Tale
for Three Counties" would become, but the thought of a book discussion
uniting our communities was an appealing one.
Reading is so important, yet with the fast pace of our lives, we often
don't take the time to savor a good book. I was joined in this project
by the other librarians in Genesee, Orleans, and Wyoming counties, and
one thing we wanted to accomplish with the program was to recommend
a worthwhile book that wasn't generally known, have people read it and
share their thoughts on it through discussions in libraries or general
chat on the street, then introduce the author to our readers.
As simple as that plan sounds, there were many things to work out -- what book to choose, whether the author would be available, how to pay for all the expenses, how to let people know about the program.
Around September of 2002, it looked like the plan was going to work, and everything began to fall into place. We had a book, we had an author, and we had gotten some of our funding.
A good book can enrich our lives in many ways, because it can point to some important truths about our own lives, make us think about the world in new ways, and create interesting conversations. We were exceptionally fortunate to find Peace Like a River by Leif Enger -- a book that had a wide readership, a book that caused much discussion and varying opinions, a book that spoke to people in many ways, and an author who was personable, interesting, engaging, and kind, and who despite his tremendous success was willing to visit us in rural New York.
No, not everyone liked the book when they tried it, but that is what makes a good conversation. The miracles made some people uncomfortable, while others did not get past the opening goose-hunting scene. Yet, many of the people who held on, finished the book and attended a book discussion and author visit, began to see the book differently. Their thoughts on the book were changed by other readers' observations or by the author's own insights about books and reading.
The turnouts for book discussions were good, many people attended the three author programs, and long lines formed for book signing. That, in itself, indicated to those of us that planned it that the program was a success. But even more rewarding was hearing comments like the following:
"I would never have picked up that book to read on my own."
"I've never gone to hear an author before."
"I enjoyed every minute."
"It's great to get an author of Mr. Enger's caliber in Genesee County."
"The author was an absolute delight."
"I went to the author program tired from a day of work and regretting that I had said I would attend, but I am so glad I went -- it was wonderful."
"A real pleasure to come in contact with the author of a book I enjoyed."
"When are you going to do it again?"
Our program here would never have happened without the cooperation among the libraries in our three counties, without the coverage in The Daily News or the sponsorship from a wide variety of organizations, institutions and businesses, including the Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council, the Arts Council for Wyoming County, the Bank of Castile, the Friends of Richmond Memorial Library, the Friends of Perry Public Library, the Friends of Lee-Whedon Library in Medina, the Friends of Stevens Memorial Community Library in Attica, the Friends of Swan Library in Albion, the Nioga and the Pioneer Library Systems, Genesee Valley BOCES and Niagara-Orleans BOCES School Library Systems, Time Warner, and Wal-Mart.
And, of course, we wouldn't have had a program without readers. We did have readers -- at least 1,000 of them who borrowed books from our 20 libraries, bought books at the author talks, loaned books to friends, and enthusiastically embraced this project.
So, we in Genesee, Orleans, and Wyoming counties have joined ranks with readers in Seattle, Chicago, Rochester, and Syracuse and many other American cities. Look at the Library of Congress' Web page on "one book" programs, and we are listed under New York programs: http://www.loc.gov/loc/cfbook/one-book.html.
Do we hope to do it again? The answer is a resounding Yes! But those of us on the committee are now saying, "How on earth can we top this?"
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