One Book One Bedford: About the Program

What is the "One Book, One Bedford" program and how did it start?
The idea for a community wide reading program began in 1998 at the Seattle Public Library and quickly spread across the country. In Massachusetts, the Greenfield Public Library continued the idea with their "On the Same Page" community reading program. Since then communities all over Massachusetts have started their own unique programs.

In 2004, Bedford joined the growing numbers of towns and cities with its "One Book, One Bedford" program selecting Kent Haruf's Plainsong. In 2005, Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, followed by 1776 by David McCullough in 2006. Last year, the chosen book for this community-wide event was Digging to America by Anne Tyler.

Who is sponsoring "One Book, One Bedford"?
One Book, One Bedford is sponsored by the Friends of the Bedford Free Public Library, which also underwrites library museum passes, library programs and other special gifts. For more information about the Friends click here.

How did the library choose Here If You Need Me: A True Story for the "One Book, One Bedford" program?

Reading this book is an uplifting experience. It is dramatic, funny, moving, and simply unforgettable. Kate Braestrup shares experiences that at times remind the reader of a CSI episode, intermixed with tender details of the life and love she shared with her husband, Drew and continues to share with her children and the people in her life.

This wonderful book was selected for ‘One Book, One Bedford’ because of its universal themes of love, grief, moving on after loss, single parenthood, connection with nature, second careers, and spirituality. It honors the men and women who help us when there is an emergency. There are many layers for discussion among the threads of Kate’s story.