The Blues in Baton Rouge - Past, Present, and Future

Did you know Baton Rouge was once the blues capital of Louisiana? In fact, during the golden age of the genre, about a half century ago, Louisiana’s capital city was one of the most frequented blues destinations in the country, drawing crowds that crossed ethnic and economic barriers.

Striking up community conversations like these around the historical and cultural drivers of Baton Rouge has served, in part, as the genesis behind One Book One Community, the gem of local programming presented and produced each year by the East Baton Rouge Parish Library (EBRPL).

Assistant Library Director Mary Stein, who has cultivated the program since its inception 17 years ago, noted that what started as a grant-funded program in 2007, in which books were selected from a nationally distributed list for the first few years, has evolved into an annual literary dialogue in which the books selected dovetail with community happenings –– like this year’s book selection, The Blues, which complements the beloved annual Baton Rouge Blues Festival –– and forge connections to Baton Rouge’s own history. In previous years, titles have included Kingfish: The Reign of Huey P. Long by LSU Professor Richard D. White Jr., and Mark Twain’s Life on the Mississippi, selected the year of Louisiana’s bicentennial.

The whole concept –– which Stein shared began in response to a Congressional survey that revealed that those who attended cultural events and read were also more likely to vote and be civic minded –– was that people from all walks of the community, no matter their education, economic affluence, or background could enjoy a shared experience through the pages of a book. 

The One Book One Community program allows you to go at your own pace, explains Jessica McDaniel, Community Programming and Outreach Librarian. In addition to a calendar of programming (all events are free) that includes a kickoff party, author appearance, book discussions, and more, running over six weeks (from mid-March through the end of April), the libraries feature the selected book in multiple formats –– print, audio, ebook. Patrons can choose their own level of participation, whether that involves connecting with the book itself, attending events, even just learning about blues culture itself (“There’s no test!” laughs Stein).

One Book One Community runs in all 14 locations of the East Baton Rouge Parish Library system –– and particularly notable in this day and age, all are full-service facilities and open seven days a week.