Feb 29, 2024
“I have been a library user practically my whole life and I’ve always been in love with books. Every time I did projects or had to study or had to tutor kids, it was always in a library,” said Fahra. “In fact, I’ve always wanted to work in a library. When I moved to Kern County, one of the first things I did was that I stopped by and got my card.”
Originally from New York City, Fahra lived in Topeka, Kansas before moving to Bakersfield to be closer to her husband’s family. Alex Daredia is best known as a local realtor. They are proud parents of Aliahra, age 4.
“When I got my library card, I asked about job opportunities and an employee pointed me to the county website. I knew I wanted to get my master's degree but didn't know what I wanted it to be,” said Fahra, who holds an undergraduate degree in mass communication/media studies from Washburn University. She enrolled in San Jose University in 2020 and graduated last May with a master’s degree in Library and Information Science. “I accepted a job and my love for libraries grew. The pandemic was happening. I realized what I was studying was what I was already doing at work.”
Fahra recognizes the library’s role as a community hub. Rather than just a center for books, its reach has expanded.
“The library is a place to find your next favorite read but it also serves families in so many ways. From the Lunch at the Library program, which provides free lunch during summer, to
Supper and Snacks in the Stacks during the school year, the library plays a role in bridging the gap for child nutrition,” said Fahra. “There’s also a tutoring program. There are classes for citizenship and English as a second language. Test prep is offered here. People come to the library to look at genealogy. There’s a soap-making class. We have knitting and crochet clubs.”
Fahra recognizes the library as not just a pillar of the community for children but people of all ages.
“All these amazing resources are here for everyone,” she explained. “They’re free or very low cost. We want a literate community in Kern County and the library is a huge part of that.”
Special programming falls within Fahra’s job description. Communicating efforts with all staff members and the public is part of her position. The annual Summer Reading Challenge, for example, is one of the Kern County Library’s biggest and most important organized efforts; it also happens to be one of Fahra’s favorites.
“Participants of any age can read 10 books or listen to 10 hours of audiobooks and get a prize from Friends of the Library. Kids also get prizes from local businesses to encourage them to keep reading,” she said. “It's like Black Friday, that same energy, over the span of two months. We know there will be reading, meals, activities and performances every year. Books in Motion is part of it and there’s this feeling of community that’s part of it.”
Q&A: Four questions with Fahra Daredia
Q. We often talk with mothers in phases of life that can seem lonely or isolating, especially as they raise young children. What advice do you have for respite and renewal for women going through that phase of life? It's hard to be that one person who does everything by themselves. I would say it is important to ask for help and to take the help, as much as you think you need if it's offered. When I think back to when my daughter was small, I wish I would have taken care of myself first before others. The best analogy I can think of is the oxygen mask scenario: you have to put your mask on before you can help anyone else. If you're not breathing and thriving, how are you going to take care of the person next to you? You can't be there for your child or your parents or whoever needs you. Take a break and go get your nails done if that makes you feel good. Find what it is you need first.
Q. Do you have any hidden talents? I can listen to audiobooks three times the speed and I can still comprehend everything; speeding them up actually makes me concentrate more.
Also, I've tried all the different types of Oreos that have been out there.
Q. What should families in the Kern County area know more about in their community? Whether you're trying to learn a skill or you're looking for workforce development, there are so many resources out here, not just with the library but in all of Kern County.
Q. What is your parenting PSA? Every day is a new adventure. I love seeing things through my daughter’s eyes.
Fill-in-the-blank questions:
- I'm always laughing at… Children's books.
- The first thing I do when I wake up in the morning is.... Check the time.
- Today, the strangest thing in my purse is... A McDonald's toy.
- My favorite food is... Anything that has noodles in it.
- My favorite dessert is... Ice cream.
- In my pantry, you will always find... Indian snacks.
- Before I go out, I always make sure I have... A book.
- My favorite music genre is... Bollywood.
- The best book I've read lately is... There are too many books to choose from; last year, I read 163 titles.
- Within new book trends, families should be on the lookout for: Characters who look like them. Representation matters. My child loves seeing herself in them as we find more south Asian children in books for her age group.
- Advice for reluctant readers… Read what you like to do or watch. People who don't read just haven't found the right book yet.
- So far, my best life advice is... Live your best life; only you can decide what your best life is.
