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The Tale for Three Counties committee is shown here with copies of the 2005 selection, In the Bleak Midwinter, by Julia Spencer-Fleming.
Front row: Leslie DeLooze (seated), Richmond Memorial Library, Batavia; Maggie Burtwell, Yates Community Library, Lyndonville; Mary Zangerle (seated), Lee-Whedon Memorial Library, Medina; Nancy Bailey, Byron-Bergen Public Library.
Back row: Peggy Parker, Perry Public Library; Diana Wyrwa, Richmond Memorial Library; Sue Border, Woodward Memorial Library, LeRoy; Susie Gaylard, Swan Library, Albion; Jen Magee, Haxton Memorial Library, Oakfield; Mary Mann, Gainesville Public Library, Silver Springs; Sue Chiddy, Genesee Community College; Donna Katter, Genesee Valley BOCES School Library System.
How " A Tale for Three Counties " Started
Leslie DeLooze, Community Services Librarian
Richmond Memorial Library
Batavia, New York
In February 2002, public librarians from Genesee, Orleans, and Wyoming counties met to discuss the idea of an area-wide book discussion program. The goal was to encourage people to read a chosen book, discuss it with friends and neighbors at local libraries or in chance meetings on the street, and then meet the author at the conclusion of the program.
The committee, joined by Lifestyles Editor Ben Beagle of Batavia's Daily News and Genesee Valley BOCES School Library System Coordinator Diana Wyrwa, enthusiastically embraced the idea of sharing a good book in a fun community event. The name of the program, with the logo of a running horse atop an open book, reflected both our rural location and our shared interest in reading.
The committee discussed criteria for choosing a book for the first event, scheduled for March 2003. The selected title must:
- Be a work of fiction
- Have appeal to both adult and teen readers
- Have literary merit as evidenced by professional reviews and/or awards
- Present the theme of rural family life or local history
- Have issues or topics to discuss
- Introduce a new or relatively unknown author to our readers
In addition, the author of the book would have to be available to visit the area and present some talks. After considering almost 20 books, the committee chose Peace Like a River by Leif Enger.
Twelve of the public libraries in Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming Counties hosted book discussions during February and March 2003. The Daily News published numerous articles on the program and introduced readers to Leif Enger, who came to visit with his wife at the end of March.
Three programs were held-one in each county-where Leif discussed his "reading history," his method of writing, and his inspiration for this book. The audiences were captivated by him and also enjoyed meeting his wife, Robin, who joined him on this trip from their home in Minnesota. Leif signed books for many readers after each program.
"A Tale for Three Counties" in 2003 was made possible by sponsorships from numerous organizations and institutions. Both the Genesee Orleans Regional Arts Council and the Arts Council for Wyoming County provided decentralization grants for the program. The Batavia Daily News, the Bank of Castile, and Wal-Mart were program sponsors. Time Warner Cable assisted with sound and video for transmission of the program into an overflow auditorium. The program was also assisted by the Friends of the Richmond Memorial Library, Friends of Perry Public Library, Friends of Lee-Whedon Memorial Library, Friends of Swan Library, the NIOGA Library System, the Pioneer Library System, Genesee Valley BOCES School Library System, and Niagara Orleans School Library System.