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 r
08/14/2026
We Have to Talk: A Step-By-Step Checklist for Difficult Conversations | Judy Ringer A checklist of action items to think about before going into a difficult conversation, including conversation openings.
08/08/2026
https://nolafamily.com/digital-detox-screen-free-habits-for-2026/
Digital Detox: Screen-Free Habits for 2026 - NOLA Family Magazine Feel encouraged to swap out the screens with new habits that will ultimately improve day-to-day tendencies in your life and your family’s.
08/08/2026
https://unplugged.rest/blog/2026-year-of-offline
2026 Is The Year Of Analogue and Offline (Finally) From dumbphones to run clubs, 2026 is the year we go analogue. Here’s why social media is declining and what the offline surge means next.
08/08/2026
https://www.amazingif.com/listen/ask-the-expert-how-to-have-conversations-that-matter/
Ask The Expert - How to have conversations that matter | Amazing If In this week’s Ask the Expert interview, Sarah talks to author, radio host and TED speaker Celeste Headlee about how to have better conversations at work. Together they discuss why most of us focus too much on what we’re going to say rather than what we can learn from conversations. Celeste sugg...
08/08/2026
08/01/2026
Read to Lead Podcast with Jeff Brown Episode 291: How to Have Conversations That Matter with Celeste Headlee:
291: How to Have Conversations That Matter with Celeste Headlee Over the years, I have been asked numerous times to recommend books on helping to improve communication skills. My go-to list is a short one but includes my favorite and most effective books on the topic. There is now a new book and a new author topping that list for me. Her name is Celeste […]
08/01/2026
📚✨ Find your next great read at the Friends of the Library Used Book Sale! Browse hundreds of gently used books, discover hidden treasures, and support your local library.
📅 Friday, August 7 | 11:00 AM–5:30 PM Memorial Library
⭐ FOL Members receive early entry (memberships available at the door)
📅 Saturday, August 8 | 10:00 AM–3:30 PM
📍 Beale Memorial Library