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.
