The purpose of the Kern County Library Foundation is to raise funds from the community which will be used towards the enhancement and enrichment of the Kern County Library system. With the purpose of raising funds to use towards enhancement and enrichment of the Kern County Library, the Kern County Library Foundation has raised nearly $3 million since its formation in 1986. Among many contribution
s, the Foundation has purchased pieces for the Fine Arts Collection at the Beale Memorial Library and has supported the Foundation Center Cooperating Collection (a collection of specialized foundation and grant resources which provide information about grant opportunities). Doe, a longtime Bakersfield High School English teacher, left $690,000 to the Kern County Library Foundation. The Reference Center was renamed the Fern M. Doe Reference Center in her honor. In 2008, Bill Farley left a bequest for the Bryce C. Rathbun Branch Library. Since 1986, the Kern County Library Foundation has funded numerous other enhancements and projects, including the Beale Memorial Library’s 20th Anniversary celebration, the groundbreaking for the new Frazier Park Branch Library, and the purchasing of artwork of 6 rural branches. Recently, the Foundation has made self-checkout systems available, including audiovisual and a gaming system for teens at the Beale Memorial Library.
