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Community of Readers
Editorial
Jan. 28, 2003
Librarians in Genesee, Wyoming and Orleans counties have put together an ambitious project in ''A Tale for Three Counties,'' and here's hoping it's a tale of success.
''A Tale for Three Counties'' refers to one book - Leif Enger 's best-selling Peace Like a River - and the three counties where people will be encouraged to read, the book, participate in book discussions and meet the author. The shared experience builds a sense of community, and the idea has been successful in a number of cities, including nearby Buffalo and Rochester.
Richmond Memorial librarian Leslie DeLooze figured if such a project could succeed in a city, it could certainly succeed in a rural area, too, with a little effort.
Well, maybe more than a little effort.
Mrs. DeLooze contacted librarians in Genesee County and found them enthusiastic. It was a natural to expand into the counties north and south that, with Genesee, make up the rural corridor sandwiched by the more urban Erie and Monroe counties. Librarians carefully selected a well written book they thought would appeal to a wide range of readers, and got to work. What has emerged is a network of book discussions in 13 libraries spread throughout the three counties, culminating in visits by author Leif Enger March 27 at Richmond Memorial in Batavia, March 28 at Lee-Whedon Memorial in Medina; and March 29 at Perry Elementary-Middle School in Perry.
A Web site, buttons and bookmarks are spreading the enthusiasm beyond library walls. The project has gathered support from the Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council, the Arts Council for Wyoming County, The Daily News , the Bank of Castile, and Friends of Richmond Memorial Library and similar groups.
Sometimes people feel intimidated by book discussions of ''great literature.'' But great literature doesn't always use big words and complicated structure. Perhaps the very best literature is that which reaches all of us at some level - think To Kill a Mockingbird , for example. A good story is fun to discuss with others who have also read it.
We hope you decide to read Peace Like a River , join in the discussions and have Mr. Enger autograph your copy of the book when he comes to visit.
Courtesy of Batavia Newspapers Corporation