Entire community enjoyed a book

I would like to congratulate the Ela Area Public Library on the success of their first One Book One Reading Community program. The choice of Erik Larson's "Devil in the White City" kept Ela Library even more abuzz than usual this summer and fall.

The staff, administration, board of trustees, community groups, businesses and patrons of Ela all put great effort and support into the many, wonderful programs and events surrounding the reading of this one book. Numerous library copies of the book circulated widely throughout the community over the summer.

I attended eight related events, and each was well attended, informative and enjoyable. The finale of our community's first One Book One Community read was the appearance of the author, Erik Larson, at Ela Library on Oct. 13. The meeting rooms at Ela were filled to the max with excited, enthusiastic readers. Mr. Larson was an engaging speaker and charmed everyone that lined the room to have hundreds of books signed.

Ela' s staff is currently in the process of choosing the next One Book for our community. If you didn't participate in this first Ela Library community reading event, please consider doing so in 2008. I'm sure our library staff and community will make the events and discussions well worth the read and your involvement.

Kudos, Ela Area Public Library!

Libby Stachowiak

Lake Zurich