For 2011-12, the California Reads program is part of our Searching for Democracy initiative.

GRANTS AWARDED IN 2011

Butte County Library (Butte County)
Project Director: Kimberlee Wheeler, Library Marketing Coordinator, KWheeler@buttecounty.net
Bringing the County’s growing senior population together with young people is a primary goal of the library’s programs, which will focus around reading and discussion of Lost City Radio. Additional activities will include an author visit and panel presentations conducted in partnership with five branch libraries, library Friend’s groups, CSU Chico’s College of Humanities and Fine Arts and Interdisciplinary Center on Aging, as well as local NPR-affiliated radio stations.

Camarena Memorial Library, Calexico (Imperial County)
Project Director: Sandra Tauler, Community Services Director, stauler@calexico.ca.gov
Author visits, book discussions, and related art activities for youth and adults using Lost City Radio and A Paradise Built in Hell will engage residents of this ethnically and culturally diverse community on the U.S./Mexico border in discussing the meaning of democracy. Programs will be implemented in partnership with Calexico Arts Commission, local school districts, the California Teachers Association, and the Chamber of Commerce, helping the library serve both existing and new constituencies. 

Camarillo Public Library/Friends of the Camarillo Library (Ventura County)
Project Director: Barbara Wolfe, Library Director, bwolfe@camarillolibrary.org
The library plans to facilitate a community-wide discussion, focusing on A Paradise Built in Hell and other titles, about the boundaries that separate people and how democracy and community can be strengthened through acts of care and compassion. Author visits, film screenings, children’s programming, and book discussions will be implemented in collaboration with the local school district, arts, business, and service organizations, local print and broadcast media outlets, and CSU Channel Islands.

Chula Vista Library/Friends of the Chula Vista Library (San Diego County)
Project Director: Imozelle McVeigh, Volunteer, Imozelle@Cox.net
Once known as the “Celery Capital of the World,” Chula Vista had a thriving Japanese-American farming community before WWII. The library’s programs will investigate this largely-forgotten local history and stimulate reflection and discussion of the value of tolerance in a diverse society. Supported by partnerships with local museums, service organizations, and schools, the library plans several months of activities geared for patrons of all ages, including exhibits, heritage tours, story-sharing events, and book discussions focused on Farewell to Manzanar.

Contra Costa County Library (Contra Costa County)
Project Director: Maureen Kilmurray, Senior Community Library Manager, Public Services, mkilmurr@ccclib.org
In partnership with the Contra Costa Times, local historical societies and cultural organizations, and high school and higher educational institutions, library programs built around Lost City Radio and Farewell to Manzanar will offer residents of different generations and cultural backgrounds ways to connect with one another, as well as strengthen ties between local libraries, schools, media and civic organizations. Programs planned include film screenings, performances, lecture-discussions, community forums and author appearances. 

Corona Public Library (Riverside County)
Project Director: Chris Tina Smith, Library Supervisor, chriss@ci.corona.ca.us
Building on the success of past community-wide reads, Corona Library will focus its activities in fall 2012, engaging residents in consideration and discussion of the meaning of citizenship and raising awareness of local history. Plans for author visits, cultural activities, film screenings, and community forums will complement reading and discussion of Farewell to Manzanar. Community partners include the library Friends group, Corona Unified School District, and local and regional museums.

County of Los Angeles Public Library (Los Angeles County)
Project Director: Susan Broman, Adult Services Coordinator, sbroman@library.lacounty.gov
County residents will be invited to explore the meaning of our nation’s founding documents, the democratic visions they embody, and how they can participate more fully in contemporary civic and political life through programs supported by partnerships with local and state government agencies, museums, cultural groups, historical societies, and civic and political organizations throughout the County. Activities geared for teens through seniors will range from “candidate schools” to musical performances to public forums on the role of the press to voter registration activities, in addition to author appearances, film screenings and book discussions focused on the Annotated Constitution and Declaration of Independence and Farewell to Manzanar.

El Dorado County Library/Friends of El Dorado County Library (El Dorado County)
Project Director: Jeanne Amos, Library Director, jamos@eldoradolibrary.org
Working with the support of many community partners, the library will develop programs around the Annotated Constitution and Declaration of Independence aiming to increase intergenerational understanding and promote constructive dialogue across the political spectrum. Activities for children, teens and adults, including film screenings, author visits, book groups and a pre-election community forum will take place at libraries as well as in classrooms and museums throughout this High Sierra community. 

Fresno County Public Library (Fresno County)
Project Director: Linda Aragon, Senior Programming Librarian, Linda.Aragon@fresnolibrary.org
Promoting a stronger sense of community and a more informed citizenry are at the top of the library’s goals in developing a countywide series of programs and activities around Farewell to Manzanar reaching more than 20 branches of this large Central Valley system. Appearances by authors, film screenings, exhibits, musical and performing arts program and local history activities will supplement reading and discussion groups for all ages. Partners include local K-12 schools, community colleges, CSU Fresno, the ACLU, the Asian Bar Association, and several Fresno-area museums and cultural centers. 

Fullerton Public Library (Orange County)
Project Director: Chaunacey Dunklee, Senior Reference Librarian, chaunaceyd@ci.fullerton.ca.us
Reading and discussion of Farewell to Manzanar will provide a forum for community dialogue about what it means to be American in a diverse society, and provide opportunities for Fullerton residents to get to know their neighbors better. Additional activities include an oral history collection project, classroom tie-ins, and speakers on the Japanese-American internment. Local partners include the City of Fullerton, CSU Fullerton’s Center for Oral and Public History, and Fullerton Unified School District.

Glendora Public Library/Glendora Public Library Friends Foundation (Los Angeles County)
Project Director: Cindy Romero, Senior Librarian Youth Services, cromero@glendoralibrary.org
In furtherance of its mission of promoting civic engagement, the library will develop community-wide programming around the themes of civic duty and civil rights raised by Farewell to Manzanar. Partnerships with the local historical society, Azusa Pacific University, city agencies, local booksellers, and public and private schools will support a diverse array of activities for community members of all ages, including field trips, public forums, exhibits and teacher trainings.

Hayward Public Library (Alameda County)
Project Director: Melesha Owen, Adult Services Manager, Melesha.Owen@hayward-ca.gov
Hayward’s location on an earthquake fault provides a context for consideration of community and common purpose, especially in times of crisis. Using A Paradise Built in Hell as a stimulus to dialogue and discussion, the library also plans an appearance by author Rebecca Solnit, as well as “book-to-action” programs such as emergency preparedness workshops, and an “Earthquake Tour” to be hosted by the Hayward Historical Society. Additional partners include the local AAUW chapter, Chabot College, The Hayward Fire Department, and Hayward Unified School District.

Imperial County Free Library (Imperial County)
Project Director: Connie Barrington, County Librarian, conniebarrington@co.imperial.ca.us
The meaning of democracy in a multicultural society will be explored through reading and discussion of Farewell to Manzanar, It Can’t Happen Here, and Lost City Radio along with various book-related activities for young people, adults and Spanish-speaking residents of this small but diverse community in southeastern California. Community partners include local schools, the Pioneers Museum of Imperial County, and the Holtville Women’s Club.

Inglewood Public Library (Los Angeles County)
Project Director: Kay Ikuta, Principal Librarian, kikuta@cityofinglewood.org
Residents of this culturally diverse community will consider the meaning of democracy through reading and discussion activities, speaking engagements, and film screenings built around three books from the slate – Farewell to Manzanar, Lost City Radio, and A Paradise Built in Hell. The library has reached out to enlist a wide range of community partners include public and parochial schools, the Anti-Defamation League, the Southern California Library for Social Studies and Research, the Chamber of Commerce, and local print and broadcast media.

Kern County Library (Kern County)
Project Director: Andrea Apple, Head of Public Services, Andrea.Apple@kerncountylibrary.org
A community conversation sparked by reading A Paradise Built in Hell will serve the library’s goals of developing a more informed populace and increasing awareness of the importance of civic engagement to a vibrant democracy. The library will work with local community colleges, CSU Bakersfield, media outlets, and a wide range of public agencies and NGOs, along with advocacy and nonpartisan political organizations, to organize and host book discussions, speaking engagements by authors and experts, local history programs, and disaster preparedness activities and workshops. 

Lodi Public Library (San Joaquin County)
Project Director: Andrea Woodruff, Library Services Manager, awoodruff@lodi.gov
Native-born as well as immigrant residents of this multiethnic Central Valley community will gain a better understanding of our nation’s foundational documents through reading and discussion of the Annotated Constitution and Declaration of Independence. The library will partner with the University of the Pacific’s McGeorge School of Law, Lodi Unified School District, the local DAR chapter, and the Lodi News-Sentinel to implement a wide range of activities for all ages, including a teen video-making contest, book and film-based discussions, and a panel discussion between Constitutional law scholars.

Lompoc Public Library
Project Director: Molly Gerald, Library Director, m_gerald@ci.lompoc.ca.us
Connecting the community’s past with present concerns, the library will use Farewell to Manzanar to reexamine Lompoc’s history and raise awareness of the library’s role as a center of community life and a locus for civic dialogue. A diverse array of partners including Lompoc’s Unified School District, Boys and Girls Club, Police Activities League and Historical Society will help the library plan and implement activities, including author visits, exhibits, and special programs at libraries and schools for young people. 

Long Beach Public Library (in collaboration with Signal Hill Public Library) (Los Angeles County)
Project Director: Darla Wegener, Manager, Main Library, darla.wegener@lbpl.org
Library programs developed using A Paradise Built in Hell, Farewell to Manzanar and It Can’t Happen Here will enlist residents of these highly diverse cities in exploring the meaning of democracy through various programs including book discussions, art activities, historical exhibits, lectures, performances, films and author visits. Partners include the Long Beach Historical Society, Long Beach City College, CSU Long Beach, and many community ethnic, cultural and civic organizations. 

Los Angeles Public Library (Los Angeles County)
Project Director: Ruth Seid, Principal Librarian, Irseid@lapl.org
Programming at this large urban library system will reach throughout the city and engage residents in consideration of the meaning of democracy, community and civic life using the Annotated Constitution and Declaration of Independence, A Paradise Built in Hell, Farewell to Manzanar, and It Can’t Happen Here. Seven branches will host programs in collaboration with a diverse array of local partners including theater groups, community organizations, the League of Women Voters, middle and high schools, and Town Hall of Los Angeles.

Mendocino County Library District (Mendocino County)
Project Director: Melanie Lightbody, Library Director, lightbom@co.mendocino.ca.us
Hoping to provide an opportunity for residents of this largely rural Northern California region to move beyond entrenched ideological divisions, programs developed around A Paradise Built in Hell will engage people in discussion about the meaning of community and democracy. Art exhibits, poetry readings, and book discussions throughout the county will be hosted by libraries in collaboration with arts and cultural organizations. 

Mono County Library (Mono County)
Project Director: Sulin Jones, Senior Librarian, sjones@monocoe.org
Activities planned around the community reading of A Paradise Built in Hell are as diverse as the population of this Eastern Sierra region: “disaster chef” workshops for children and adults, a guided hike of the Mono Craters (which are the result of natural disaster), and film screenings and book discussions. Library partners include two county Friends of the Library groups, Town of Mammoth Lakes Community Emergency Response Team, the police department and sheriff’s office, Burners without Borders, Eastern Sierra Avalanche Dogs, local fire departments, the US Geological Society, and many other local public and community agencies. 

Monrovia Public Library (Los Angeles County)
Project Director: Alice Kuo, Librarian II, Adult Services, akuo@ci.monrovia.ca.us
Through writing and music workshops, film screenings and author appearances, along with reading and discussion programs, the library plans to stimulate dialogue about democracy among community members of varying ages, ethnicities and backgrounds. Located near the site that served as the largest assembly center for Japanese American internees during WWII, Monrovia Library has a special connection to the historical events described in Farewell to Manzanar. Partnerships with local artists and arts organizations will support programming and outreach activities.

Monterey County Free Libraries (Monterey County)
Project Director: Courtney Amparo, Supervising Librarian, Youth Services, amparocj@co.monterey.ca.us
Through its CA Read activities, the library seeks to gather its diverse community around the reading of Farewell to Manzanar, Lost City Radio, and the Annotated Constitution and Declaration of Independence. Program activities include discussions of banned books, an author visit, and community discussion of the Constitution conducted in partnership with the National Steinbeck Center, Friends of the Library organizations, and CSU Monterey Bay.

Monterey Park Bruggemeyer Library (Los Angeles County)
Project Director: Cindy Costales, Senior Librarian & Manager, Adult/Teen Services, ccostales@montereypark.ca.gov
The library community is both culturally and ethnically diverse and its reading program focused on A Paradise Built in Hell will provide an opportunity to bring different groups together. Partnering with local K-12 educators and school district offices, East Los Angeles College, Prize Books Club, Monterey Park Women’s Club, the Monterey Park Chamber of Commerce, and other public agencies, the library has planned program activities such as author talks, a community forum on disaster preparedness, and film screenings, along with traditional book discussions.

Monterey Public Library (Monterey County)
Project Director: Karen Brown, Volunteer Coordinator and Youth Services Manager, brownk@ci.montery.ca.us
“When a topic is difficult to talk about, a book can often help.” Building from this insight, Monterey Library plans to use Farewell to Manzanar to inform city residents about the Japanese American WWII internment and foster discussion about the past, present and future of democracy and community. Activities will include storysharing and oral history programming, speakers and presentations, and book discussions. The Japanese American Citizens League, K-12 schools, local authors and artists, and Monterey cable TV will provide support and assistance with programming and outreach.

Moorpark City Library (Ventura County)
Project Director: Heather Cousin, City Librarian, hcousin@moorparklibrary.org
The library-sponsored community-wide reading of the Annotated Constitution and Declaration of Independence will coincide with the celebration of the library’s centennial of service to Moorpark in 2012. The library plans to partner with other local public libraries, the neighboring Reagan Library and Foundation, local schools, civic organizations, Friends of the Library, local churches and other agencies. Engaging the entire community in exploring the theme of what it means to live in a democratic society is the core of the library’s program goals.

Newport Beach Public Library (Orange County)
Project Director: Jana Barbier, Cultural Arts Coordinator, City of Newport Beach, jbarbier@newportbeachca.gov
The library aims to engage residents in exploring the meaning of democratic principles through reading and discussion of Professor Richard Beeman’s Annotated Constitution and Declaration of Independence, supplemented by film screenings, a lecture series, author appearances, and special activities for library literacy program learners and tutors. Programs will coincide with the opening of a new civic center complex adjacent to the library next spring, and involve partnerships with the Newport Beach Public Library Foundation (NBPLF) and the Newport Beach Film Festival. 

Orange County Public Libraries (Orange County)
Project Director: Sherry Toth, Programs Coordinator, Sherry.Toth@occr.ocgov.com
In pursuit of the library’s mission, program activities around the community reading of Farewell to Manzanar and Lost City Radio will enlighten and engage the communities in conversations about democracy, its meaning, and its importance to the country. Activities include an online art contest for youth, both in-person and online book discussions, multimedia exhibit on democracy and panel discussions. The library will partner with the Center for the Study of Democracy at University of California, Irvine, the Orange County Department of Education, four area community colleges, Arts Orange County and the Friends of the Library support groups. 

Orland Free Library (Glenn County)
Project Director: Jody Meza, Library Director, jodymeza@gmail.com
Advancing thoughtful and educational discussions of democracy, encouraging literacy and civic engagement, and promoting awareness and preparedness for disaster planning are the primary goals of this community reading of A Paradise Built in Hell. Through partnerships with many local public and community agencies, including the Orland Volunteer Fire Department, Public Safety Committee, the Humane Society, the Orland Historical Society and the Orland County Office of Education, the library will host informational presentations on public safety and disaster preparedness planning, English-Spanish bilingual presentations by a local historian and author presentation in addition to book discussions for both youth and adults. 

Pasadena Public Library (Los Angeles County)
Project Director: Robin Reidy, Librarian, IIrreidy@cityofpasadena.net
Although frequently quoted and referenced, the U.S. Constitution is still a relatively unfamiliar document to many American citizens. The library would like to explore its impact on everyday life, not only in America, but throughout the world. Partnerships with the Huntington Library, DAR, Pasadena City College, the League of Women’s Voters, NPR-affiliate KPCC, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, the Armory Arts Center and the Pasadena Unified School District will help the library enliven the dynamic slate of program activities based around the Annotated Constitution and Declaration of Independence. Activities planned include scholar presentations, a Thomas Jefferson living history portrayal, film screening and discussion series, and a library display of Constitution-related ephemera.

Rancho Cucamonga Public Library (San Bernardino County)
Project Director: Jennifer Downey, Reference Librarian, jdowney@cityofrc.us
In addition to strengthening its already well-established reputation as a community cultural hub, the library believes reading and discussion of Farewell to Manzanar will increase civic awareness and participation by city residents, particular teens and new voters. Timed to coincide with observance of Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month, programs will include local history presentations, storytime activities for children, adult and senior book discussions, and an exhibit on the Japanese-American history of Southern California. Partners include local middle and high schools, the City Planning Department, and the Japanese American National Museum.

Riverside County Library System (Riverside County)
Project Director: Cindy DeLanty, Deputy Library Administrator, Cindy.DeLanty@lssi.com
Book discussions and related programs at seven branches throughout the county will help RCLS build community in this geographically and culturally diverse region. Programs will be held at libraries and schools, using four books from the slate, including special Spanish-language programming at one branch. Author events and other speakers will be supplemented with music, performing arts programs, and civic engagement activities, including voter registration activities to be done in cooperation with the County Registrar of Voters. Partners include local school districts, senior centers, PTA’s, churches and library Friends’ groups.

Riverside Public Library (Riverside County)
Project Director: Tonya Kennon, Library Director, tkennon@riversideca.gov
The library will bring the community together around reading Farewell to Manzanar to evaluate, discuss and explore the meaning of democracy through a variety of activities that will be accessible to people with different learning styles, and of different ages and backgrounds. Starting with book discussions for both youth and adults, events include Japanese story and craft time for children, an exhibit at the Riverside Metropolitan Museum of local Japanese history, a panel discussion with former internees, a Taiko drum performance and a Japanese craft workshop for adults. Additional partners include University of California, Riverside, Friends of the Riverside Public Library, the Riverside Public Library Foundation, and local service clubs and media organizations. 

Sacramento Public Library (Sacramento County)
Project Director: Brenda Haggard, Strategic Communications Officer, bhaggard@saclibrary.org
Expanding the reading horizons of its patrons and fostering conversations that will enable community residents to develop a better understanding of one another as well as the nation’s foundational ideas are the goals of the library’s program. Building on a history of success with community reads, the library has planned activities to engage the entire community, including a mock-election for youth, a “face off” between students and adults to test constitutional knowledge, a theater performance, film screenings, presentation with Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy and an opening event with Richard Beeman, author of the Annotated Constitution and Declaration of Independence. Program partners include Barnes and Noble Booksellers, the Sacramento Bee, the League of Women Voters, and Access Sacramento, in addition to local public agencies, educational institutions, museums and library support organizations.

San Bernardino County Library System (San Bernardino County)
Project Director: Michael Jimenez, Regional Manager, mjimenez@lib.sbcounty.gov
This 31-branch library seeks to raise awareness of and involvement in democracy throughout the county through reading the Annotated Constitution and Declaration of Independence and Farewell to Manzanar. Partners include the cities of Chino Hills, Fontana, Hesperia, Apple Valley and Highland, local Friends of the Library groups, and local high schools and middle schools. Program activities include film screenings, book discussions, in-school projects based on Constitutional themes, and opportunities for community members to interact with city officials. 

San Bernardino Public Library (San Bernardino County)
Project Director: Paula J. Miller, Literacy Program Coordinator, miller.pj@sbpl.org
Focusing on the community’s youth, the library’s goal for its community reading of Farewell to Manzanar is to increase civic awareness and participation in residents, particularly teens and new voters. Timed to coincide with Asian Pacific Islander Heritage month, program activities include book discussions, film screenings, a presentation by a poet and former internee, and a panel discussion with authors and former internees. The library will partner with city agencies, the San Bernardino Historical Society, the Rancho Cucamonga Public Library, the Japanese American Museum, California State University San Bernardino, San Bernardino Valley College and San Bernardino Unified School District in addition to the Friends of the San Bernardino Library. 

San Diego County Library (San Diego County)
Project Director: Susan Moore, Principal Librarian, Susan.Moore@sdcounty.ca.gov
Promoting civic engagement among a highly diverse population and increasing understanding of democracy and civic values are the library’s goals for its programs focusing on the Annotated Constitution and Declaration of Independence, Farewell to Manzanar, and Lost City Radio. Program activities reflect the varying backgrounds of the community with book discussions in Spanish and English, cultural programs for children and adults along with storytime and in-school projects, scholar-led community discussions, presentations by Daniel Alarcón and others authors. Program partners include California State University San Marcos, the Japanese American Citizen League, the National Latino Research Center, the County Television Network, Storytellers of San Diego and the San Diego Union Tribune which will publish a series of book reviews written by library staff.

San Diego Public Library (San Diego County)
Project Director: Marc Chery, Librarian, Supervisor of Literature & Languages Section, mchery@sandiego.gov
Bringing together diverse segments of the city to discuss the meaning of democracy and local heritage is the goal of the community reading of the Annotated Constitution and Declaration of Independence. An extensive array of partners includes KPBS, the Southern District Magistrate Law Clerk, Media Arts Center San Diego, the San Diego County Public Law Library, San Diego State University and the San Diego Labor Council. The library has planned a series of issue-based discussions and film screenings around topics such as applying the Constitution, gay marriage, women’s rights, and legal theory in addition to traditional book discussions and a dynamic event wherein slam poets will de- and reconstruct the Constitution.

San Francisco Public Library (San Francisco County)
Project Director: Rosie Merlin, Program Outreach Librarian, rmerlin@sfpl.org
As the focus of the library’s eighth annual One City-One Book observance, the library will use A Paradise Built in Hell to build bridges between communities and generations, strengthen a culture of literacy in the City, and activate community through partnerships with a wide range of organizations and agencies including the League of Women Voters, the SPCA, the Red Cross, SF Unified School District, and the City’s Neighborhood Empowerment Network. In addition to reading and discussion, programming will include author appearances, panels, poetry readings and film screenings and disaster preparedness workshops.

San Leandro Public Library (Alameda County)
Project Director: Nancy Fong, Library Services Manager, nfong@sanleandro.org
Reading and discussion of Farewell to Manzanar will enable the library to strengthen connections to the city’s Japanese American community, as well as increase understanding, empathy, and appreciation of diversity and democratic values on the part of the all residents. Film screenings, book discussions, a field trip to San Jose’s Japanese-American Museum and historic Japantown are some of the programs planned, with support from community partners including Japanese-American community organizations, the City of San Leandro, Friends of the Library, the local school district, and the San Leandro Historical Society.

Santa Clara County Library (Santa Clara County)
Project Director: Gail Mason, Library Services Manager, gmason@sccl.org
Invoking its role as information providers and a place for community gathering, the library seeks to provide safe spaces to facilitate cross-cultural, multigenerational discussions on the importance of democracy and the individual’s role in maintaining and strengthening democracy. Program activities around the community reading of Farewell to Manzanar and Lost City Radio include art contests for children and youth, panel discussions, film screenings, forums on upcoming ballot initiatives as well as online and in-person book discussions. The library will partner with the Japanese American Museum of San Jose, the League of Women Voters as well as representatives from leading new media corporations such as YouTube, Google and Twitter. 

Santa Clarita Public Library (Los Angeles County)
Project Director: Yuri Kenney, Adult Services Coordinator, ykenney@santaclaritalibrary.com
The library will engage the community in public discussion around the topics of disaster, charity, and compassion through the community reading of A Paradise Built in Hell. Its planned programs invite hands-on involvement, the cornerstone of a public service mentality and the foundation of democratic processes through a field trip to a former disaster site, disaster preparedness workshops for different audiences, workshops to teach participants how to develop a disaster preparedness plan using social networking tools, an outdoor weaving project, presentations of opportunities for community involvement, and book discussions. 

Santa Monica Public Library (Los Angeles County)
Project Director: Ivy Weston, Public Services Librarian, ivy.weston@smgov.net
The library believes its citywide read of A Paradise Built in Hell will catalyze reflection and discussion about the meaning of community and democracy as well as, on a more practical level, promote awareness and action around disaster planning and preparedness. Book discussions, panels, speakers, workshops and demonstrations will engage a broad cross-section of the city’s population. Programming and outreach partners include Zocalo Public Square, the city’s Office of Emergency Managements, City TV, the local chapter of the American Red Cross, as well as local K-12 schools and Santa Monica (Community) College.

Shasta Public Libraries (Shasta County)
Project Director: Megan Owens, Outreach Coordinator, megano@shastalibraries.org
Building on an ongoing dialogue about the definition of the “American Way,” the library aims to provide the community with a safe space to examine and discuss the themes emerging from Farewell to Manzanar. The library’s program activities take advantage of various media, including an online book discussion, county-wide writing project, interactive exhibit, youth film project, film screening, theatre improv performance and community panels with former internees. The library is partnering with the Shasta County School District and local community groups to engage as many residents as possible. 

Siskiyou County Library/Friends of the Mt. Shasta Branch Library, Inc. (Siskiyou County)
Project Director: Lori Crockett, Volunteer, mtshastalibrary@gmail.com
Library programs developed around A Paradise Built in Hell and Farewell to Manzanar will encourage residents to consider how communities have faced and overcome past crises with care and compassion. Partnerships with local schools, the historic Tule Lake Internment site, local businesses, and the County Arts Council will support programs at four branches throughout this mountainous Northern California County. Activities planned include field trips, film screenings, and speaker events as well as reading and discussion groups for teens and adults.

Soboba Cultural Center and Library (Riverside County)
Project Director: Beyaja Notah, Library Assistant, bnotah@soboba-nsn.gov
The library hopes to promote civic engagement to improve many of the social conditions on the Soboba reservation through activities based in community readings of the Annotated Constitution and Declaration of Independence and Farewell to Manzanar. Collaborating with the University of California, Riverside and the California Center for Native Nations, the library will host a diverse slate of program activities that will be meaningful and relevant for the Soboba community: storytelling sessions, film screenings, book discussions of CA Reads books as well as of related titles, academic lectures, digital storytelling projects for youth, and a community project wherein participants will build a rock garden inspired by one described in Farewell to Manzanar. 

South Pasadena Public Library (Los Angeles County)
Project Director: Steve Fjeldsted, City Librarian, SFjeldsted@ci.south-pasadena.ca.us
Farewell to Manzanar will serve as a springboard to discussion about the rights and responsibilities of citizens as well as the government during times of duress. In addition to an appearance by author Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston, the library plans to host film screenings and book discussions for teens, adults and intergenerational audiences. Community partners include the South Pasadena Unified School District, local businesses, media outlets and service clubs, the Chamber of Commerce, local Japanese-American community and cultural organizations, and the Japanese-American National Museum and Pacific Asia Museum.

Stockton-San Joaquin County Public Library Jurisdiction (San Joaquin County)
Project Director: Suzy Daveluy, Youth Services Coordinator/Literacy, Outreach and Programming, suzy.daveluy@stocktongov.com
With a history of successful community-wide reads, the library will use A Paradise Built in Hell in its 2012 One Book, One San Joaquin program to advance their mission of connecting people and ideas and by providing residents with resources to pursue their educational, civic, occupational and personal interests. The library will partner with numerous agencies including the American Red Cross, the League of Women Voters, San Joaquin Delta College, California State University Stanislaus, and many community-based and public agencies to host book discussions, emergency preparedness workshops, town hall meetings and a featured presentation by author Rebecca Solnit.

Sunnyvale Public Library (Santa Clara County)
Project Director: Susan Denniston, Administrative Librarian, sdenniston@ci.sunnyvale.ca.us
CA Reads programming built around Farewell to Manzanar will provide a platform to help Sunnyvale residents learn and understand what happens when human rights are denied to ethnic or racial groups. Program activities include a presentation by author Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston, community panel discussion with former internees, and an exhibition of artifacts from the period in addition to book discussions on democracy based on the themes of the book. The Japanese American Museum of San Jose, the Fremont Union High School District, and the Sunnyvale Elementary School District will partner with the library to engage a broad cross-section of community members. 

Tehama County Library (Tehama County)
Project Director: Sally Ainsworth, Children’s Librarian, sally@tehamacountylibrary.org
Reading and discussion of The Annotated Constitution and Declaration of Independence andA Paradise Built in Hell will provide an opportunity to bring people of widely different perspectives on democracy together to bridge differences and discover commonalities in this rural community. Activities include book discussions, a Latino community forum, dialogues between local government officials and residents, a Constitution-themed party for teens, and a showcase for local civic organizations to present information about their work. Programs will be supported by local service clubs (Kiwanis, Lions, Rotary), the Cattlewoman’s Association, NEXT Tehama (a group of young professionals), local government agencies and schools, and library Friends’ groups.

Watsonville Public Library (Santa Cruz County)
Project Director: Watonka Addison, Adult Services Librarian, watonka.addison@cityofwatsonville.org
Drawing from the rich history of the Japanese American immigrant community in the area, the library’s goal is to expand the community’s appreciation for a pivotal chapter of American history. The library will host film screenings, an online blog and speaker-led discussions in addition to its community reading of Farewell to Manzanar. The library has also invited local author Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston to speak at their closing event in April 2012 and is working with longstanding partners, the Watsonville-Santa Cruz Japanese American Citizens League and the University of California, Santa Cruz.

Willows Public Library (Glenn County)
Project Director: Jody Meza, Library Director, jodymeza@gmail.com
Through community presentations by partner organizations and book discussions of A Paradise Built in Hell, the library seeks to advance thoughtful dialogue on democracy, encourage literacy, and promote disaster preparedness in the community. The library will partner with the Willows Fire and Public Safety Departments, the Humane Society, the Red Cross, the Willows Unified School District, the Willows Museum Society and the Friends of the Willows Public Library to enrich the program activities with involvement from local authors, historians, and community leaders.