Book to Action
Book to Action is a library programming series implemented across California, formerly organized by the California Center for the Book, and now funded through the California State Library.
Book to Action is a program framework that takes the basic book club concept and expands it to create a dynamic series of events for adults and multigenerational groups. Librarians work closely with community partners in engaging community members to read and discuss a book on a current topic, attend author or speaker events, and put their new-found knowledge into action by participating in a community service project or civic engagement activity related to the book.
SBPL’s annual Book to Action series select a title that explores a topic of high community interest, distributes copies, and implements educational events and opportunities to engage in connection with the issues explored in the book. These programs are intended to inspire members of the community to engage with important topics and make meaningful connections with each other, while taking action to improve their lives and invest in a more sustainable future.
Santa Barbara Public Library’s Annual Book to Action series is offered each Spring and has covered a wide range of topics of interest to the greater Santa Barbara community.
2020: Mental Wellness and Suicide Prevention featuring Where Reason Ends by Yiyun Li and 101 Alternatives to Suicide by Kate Bornstein
2019: Food Insecurity in Santa Barbara featuring The Unending Hunger: Tracing Women and Food Insecurity Across Borders by Megan Carney
These projects were supported in whole or in part by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered in California by the State Librarian.