Kern County One Book Project

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Kern County One Book Project Jillian was inspired to begin such a project in Bakersfield. Kern County Library became the lead organization in 2003.

The One Book Project is a countywide effort that fosters community connections to facilitate reading and discussions through meaningful programming centered on the themes in a book title selected by Kern County Library's co-partner CSUB each year. The program began in 2001 through the grassroots efforts of Jillian Fritch, an elementary school teacher who had read a story in the Los Angeles Times regarding One Book, One Community initiatives; at the time Seattle Reads and One Book Chicago were pioneers, and Los Angeles had decided to do a One Book project. The first book was “To Kill a Mockingbird.” An array of community partners jumped on board, including education, nonprofits, local government, businesses and media outlets. Now in its the 22nd year, One Book continues to reach out to our diverse Kern County community both in book choice and related programming. In 2010, the project began a partnership with California State University, Bakersfield’s First Year Experience program which involves students reading a common book. Through this partnership, the community can benefit from the extended programming, including a visit and talk by the author at CSUB at the culmination in October 2022.

Here's a great article published in 2023 about how helpful the Bakersfield Toastmasters Clubs weekly Wednesday workshops...
10/17/2026

Here's a great article published in 2023 about how helpful the Bakersfield Toastmasters Clubs weekly Wednesday workshops are for people wanting to hone their public speaking skills. Join is for a FREE workshop this Wednesday, October 21st OR on Wednesday, October 28th - - both starting at 11:30 AM here KCL - Beale Memorial Library Metamorfosis Toastmasters en Español See:

The National Institute of Mental Health says public speaking anxiety affects about 40% of the population. It can be scary but the Kern County Library has a free resource you might not know about.

Get off your phone and get outside! Check out these Self-Guided Tours with our One Book partner the Nature Center (or Pe...
10/17/2026

Get off your phone and get outside! Check out these Self-Guided Tours with our One Book partner the Nature Center (or Peacock House) at Hart Memorial Park. Start at the Nature Center and check out the peacocks and all the cool artifacts from nature! Lots to do and see here inside and out! The volunteers are pretty great, too!

Join our One Book Beanstack Reading Challenge and learn how to be entered to win a microphone this year! Library cardhol...
10/17/2026

Join our One Book Beanstack Reading Challenge and learn how to be entered to win a microphone this year! Library cardholders can sign up through the Beanstack online platform on the Kern County Library website or download the mobile app.For more information, visit your local Kern County Library branch!

Today our One Book partner the Kern River Parkway Foundation's Nature Center (or Peacock House) at Hart Park hosted Brea...
10/17/2026

Today our One Book partner the Kern River Parkway Foundation's Nature Center (or Peacock House) at Hart Park hosted Breathe with the Trees w/Robin Carpenter for ADULTS and later our KCL - Bookmobile visited and held a storytime & craft program for the KIDS! Join us again for same set of programs on Sat. Nov 14th starting at 10am for Breathe w/the Trees and another storytime & craft starting at 11am at Hart Park's Nature Center!

Threads of Empowerment is bringing confidence, style, and opportunity together! As part of our upcoming One Book event, ...
10/17/2026

Threads of Empowerment is bringing confidence, style, and opportunity together! As part of our upcoming One Book event, we’re partnering with Dress for Success Bakersfield and their NEW Boutique in downtown Bakersfield for a clothing drive supporting professional wardrobes for WOMEN and the many ways what we wear can help us feel prepared and empowered!
Donate new or gently used dresses, jackets, shoes, and purses throughout October and November at:
📍 Southwest Branch Library-8301 Ming Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93311
📍 Rathbun Branch Library-200 West China Grade Loop, Bakersfield, CA 93308
📍 Northeast Branch Library-2671 Oswell Street, Suite B, Bakersfield, CA 93306

10/14/2026

Tomorrow! — Join us for Disagreement and Donuts, a KIE way of cultivating a more ethical community.

Hosted by the Intercollegiate Civil Disagreement Partnership student fellows, learn how to have productive and civil conversations with a sweet treat! 🍩

Address

701 Truxtun Avenue
Bakersfield, CA
93301

Telephone

+16618680701

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