SCHENECTADY — A story about a man, a woman and an elephant bonding and surviving the Great Depression is Schenectady’s “One County, One Book” selection for 2009, Schenectady County Public Library officials announced today.

Voters picked “Water for Elephants” by Sara Gruen from among five titles in contention for the fourth annual community reading project.

Edwin Reilly Jr., chairman of the One County, One Book Committee, called “Water for Elephants” “a sheer joy to read, a real page turner and, in its way, great literature. The community will have great fun digesting this wonderful novel.”

The library is holding an organizational meeting for volunteers Dec. 3 at 4 p.m. in the McChesney Room. Volunteers will help plan programs to promote the reading of “Water for Elephants” starting in January.

Efforts will be made to involve schools, employee groups, service clubs, senior centers, churches and more, said organizers.