Berkeley tries to bond over dog tale

Organizers want residents young and old to read book at same time

MONCKS CORNER — Berkeley County residents — from Hanahan to Cross and St. Stephen to Sangaree — soon will have the chance to bond over a book about a mischievous dog.

The county's One Book Berkeley program, the first time that all residents have been encouraged to read the same book at the same time, will kick off Jan. 14 and go through the end of February. The effort is bringing together the county's library system, schools, community foundations and involved businesses to promote "Marley and Me."

John Grogan's book is a tribute to a disobedient yet beloved pet. It details the dog's antics, yet shows how Marley became a vital part of the author's family.

Other areas also have organized countywide reading programs, and Charleston's Big Read in September urged residents to read Zora Neale Hurston's "Their Eyes Were Watching God." Berkeley's effort differs as three separate Marley books that appeal to all ages will be available.

The main book will be read by adults and teenagers, while pre-teens can use an abridged version called "Marley: A Dog Like No Other." Younger children can flip through the "Bad Dog, Marley" picture book. Berkeley Friends of the Library President Gwen Lewis said she envisions pre-schoolers and their grandparents discussing the book's themes together.

"When we found out that Marley was available in three versions, that really opened the door," she said. "If children see adults reading, it really validates the importance of reading in their eyes."

Planned events include library programs, a day at the park and discussions at local schools. Alcoa Primary Metal has supplied a grant to help purchase more than 2,300 Marley books for Berkeley's 37 schools. The goal is to have copies available in high school libraries and English classes, as well as in every elementary school classroom, said Carole Bruno, Alcoa's director of learning services.

Individual schools are brainstorming ideas for Marley-related programs. Marrington Elementary will sponsor a Parent Teacher Organization family read night. At Sedgefield Intermediate, classes that finish the most chapters will win a chance to read with media specialist Kelly Burbage's dog Rusty. Sedgefield also is planning a "dog walk" in which families can parade their dogs outside the school.

Communities in Schools will ensure that schools in St. Stephen have access to the books, said Jane Riley, the group's executive director. Communities in Schools volunteers will teach older children how to effectively read the book to younger students, she said.

Donna Osbourne, the new head of the Berkeley County library system, said the biggest challenge remains promoting the program across a county as large as Berkeley and making sure residents in rural areas are involved. Even though all six Berkeley library branches will offer Marley programs, the One Book Berkeley program needs community support, she said.

"We've been amazed so far with the participation and enthusiasm," Osbourne said. "The goal is to get everyone interested in reading and urge each other to make a point of reading something every day."

For more information about One Book Berkeley, go to www.berkeley.lib.sc.us/

Reach Mindy B. Hagen at 937-5433 or mhagen@postandcourier.com.