PARIS – Plans are under way to kick off the fourth annual One Book, One Community program.

“It’s to unite different ages and backgrounds within a community,” said Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School library secretary and program committee member Alana DePerte. “This is a way to connect in the community.”

Each year town and school librarians and others get together to decide on a theme and select a book they hope members of the community will be able to read and share together. This year’s theme is “Making a Difference.”

The reading committee has selected, “Here if you need me,” by Kate Braestrup.

The book is Braestrup’s true account of losing her husband, a Maine state trooper, in a car accident. In an attempt to carry on despite her grief, Braestrup follows her husband’s dream and studies to become a chaplain for the Maine Warden Service. Program coordinators say the book follows the people, situations and lessons she learns as a chaplain and single mother of four after the tragedy.

“Readers will identify with her spiritual and emotional journey and will be drawn into this simply stated but profound story of loss and renewal,” DePerte said. “They will also appreciate her authentic writing style.”

DePerte said a reading committee, under program coordinator and Norway Library Director Ann Siekman, selects a book each year from about five or six. And it is usually based on a theme that the program committee chooses.

“We usually like to select a book with a Maine connection,” DePerte said. Last year, members chose one on Chinese culture when the theme was culture. “That year was big for the school’s affiliation with China,” she said, referring to the Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School-China teacher exchange program that was established last year.

DePerte said there is usually a strong community response for the program. “It varies from year to year depending on the book,” she said. The program is ongoing for several months and includes a kick-off celebration, reading discussion groups and other activities.

Because the success of the program in uniting readers of all ages depends on the book, sponsors decided this year to piggyback the program with a similar program for younger readers.

Books will be available for purchase in January and the kick-off celebration with Braestrup is planned for March 3, with a snow date of March 4. Further information will be available in the coming weeks.

The program is sponsored through grants and donations from local businesses. All proceeds go back into the program, DePerte said.