About US
About us
The Shafter Education Partnership, now part of the Shafter Community Services Department, was established in 2010 by the City of Shafter to overcome the educational challenges faced by Shafter and other Central Valley communities. Our mission is to nurture the seeds of discovery, learning, and connection, and help spread those roots across our community. Through impactful educational initiatives, we aim to empower students to achieve their potential.
Our Journey
Our work began with a focus on boosting early reading skills, increasing access to books, and extending library resources. In 2014, we launched the Shafter Learning Center as part of our second phase, which went beyond reading to encourage students to "Have Dreams," as our slogan says. The Learning Center became the hub for a culture of academic excellence, offering a wide range of classes and resources to inspire students and support their educational goals.
When the Shafter Library faced closure in 2020, the community rallied together to keep it open, launching a third phase in our journey. With support from Bakersfield College, Shafter City Council, and others, the library reopened in January 2022 as the Shafter Library & Learning Center. Bakersfield College now staffs the library, offers college classes, and provides student services.
In 2023, the Shafter Library & Learning Center was honored with the Helen Putnam Award for Excellence in Intergovernmental Collaboration from the League of California Cities. The Helen Putnam Award recognizes outstanding cities that deliver the highest quality and level of service in the most effective manner possible and promotes outstanding efforts and innovative solutions by city governments.
What We Offer
The Shafter Library and Learning Center offers:
A diverse collection of books and audiobooks for all ages.
Year-round enrichment classes for ages 3 through adults.
Public access to Chromebooks, free Wi-Fi, and printing services.
Storytime, cultural events, art shows, and more.
With extended hours, the library is now one of the busiest of its size in California, creating a welcoming environment for everyone in our community.