LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Lake County Library will begin its 2024 NEA Big Read programming during this second week of September.

The National Endowment for the Arts, or NEA, Big Read — a partnership with Arts Midwest — broadens our understanding of ourselves and our neighbors through the power of a shared reading experience.

The Lake County Library is a recipient of an $8,000 grant to host the NEA Big Read countywide with dynamic community reading programs and selected “The Bear” by Andrew Krivak for programming in September and October of 2024.

The 2024 Lake County Big Read programming will begin with its Cookbook Club Book Discussion on Thursday, Sept. 12, at noon at the Lakeport Library, 1425 N. High St.

The Big Read will then be at the Lake County Farmers' Finest Market on Saturday, Sept. 14, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Mercantile, 4350 Thomas Drive, Kelseyville, to give away free copies of the book and chat with shoppers about the program.

On Sunday, Sept. 15, the Lake County Library will partner with the Lake County Land Trust and Redbud Audubon Society for a “Celebrate Where We Live” guided nature walk from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Rodman Preserve, located at 6350 Westlake Road in Lakeport just off the Nice-Lucerne Cutoff.

Adults and families are invited to see the unique aspects of the beautiful Rodman Preserve and Nature Center as well as learn how the Land Trust works to protect the land and habitats that nature and humans depend on.

The guided nature walk begins at 9 a.m. and will be led by Redbud Audubon Society’s naturalist, Donna Mackiewicz. This walk will coincide with Biodiversity Week sponsored by California Academy of Sciences.

To celebrate the diversity at the preserve, Mackiewicz will be recording, with the help of those attending, every type of species seen with the goal of reaching 30 different plants, animals, insects, and trees. Water and light snacks will be provided, or visitors are welcome to bring a lunch to enjoy on the shaded porch of our Nature Center.

Along with the 9 a.m. walk, Land Trust volunteers will be available to accompany walking groups to talk about some of the special aspects of “Where We Live.”

NEA Big Read events will continue throughout September and October and includes a diverse schedule of events from book discussions and writing workshops, presentations on Hospice and Behavioral Health Services, an outdoor event with the library, Clear Lake State Park, Museums of Lake County, and California Department of Fish & Wildlife, a virtual author event, and more.

A children’s Little Read will also be offered with four Storytimes at library branches, featuring age-appropriate books with themes relating to the NEA Big Read book.

The public is invited to attend all NEA Big Read events at no cost, and free books are provided at each event and all library branches until supply runs out.

To view the full schedule of events, go to https://www.lakecountybigread.com/. Questions can be directed to the Lake County Library Literacy Program at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 707-263-7633.

Visit https://www.arts.gov/partnerships/nea-big-read for more information about the NEA Big Read.

Georgina Marie Guardado is the Literacy Program coordinator for the Lake County Library.