How to Meet New people at a Library

The library is not usually considered the most social of places. Originally libraries were associated with rich families or institutions like monasteries who had resources large enough to collect books, manuscripts and other products of intellectual pursuit. Eventually libraries became more accessible to the general public where Members were able to borrow a certain number of books and then return them by a particular date. But even then, with their emphasis on solitary study they were not particularly amenable to socializing. However now with democratization of knowledge resources and particularly the arrival of internet, libraries have turned into spaces for discussion and interaction. So if you like hanging out a library and are keen to meet others with similar interests, here are a few tips to keep in mind.

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Get a library membership

These days libraries offer various kinds of membership plans, starting from day memberships to annual ones. If you are interested in meeting other library goers, it would make sense to buy a membership plan which is valid for a few months if not a year. This will help you get to know the regulars by sight, after which you will feel more comfortable opening a conversation. In fact Libraries have a long venerable history of being one of the most popular starting places for college romances - the dim lighting, the magical hushed atmosphere and the wealth of a thousand books on love and romance are ideal settings for book lovers to get to know each other. However since the primary purpose of libraries is not to act as a dating venue, so while you settle down with a book, make it evident that you wouldn’t mind some whispered tète-a-tète with another guest. Have a friendly half-smile playing on your lips even if you are alone and if you spot an attractive girl or guy looking for a place, make them feel welcome to plonk down by you.

Join library-based groups

Gone are the days when you could go to the library to spend a few quiet hours by yourself at the reading room or do research work at the reference section. In a bid to attract younger readers libraries these days offer a number of interactive platforms to its members in the form of book clubs, workshops, short courses and discussion groups. All these are great ways to meet other members, discuss favorite authors, review new book launches and if in the mood shred to pieces offerings by new writers. In fact many men and women join book clubs in order to meet new people and make new friends based on mutual interests like books and most big libraries are sure to offer such socializing platforms to its readers. again don’t ignore a group just because it does not match your immediate socializing needs – for instance you may not have kids yourself but attending a Children’s Story-telling session at your library can encourage social interaction among the adults who are accompanying the children; this can be particularly beneficial for single parents who may struggle to meet new people due to the busy nature of their lives. also many libraries also try to reach out to the wider community, particularly to those who are unable to travel to the library itself, by means of mobile libraries or online borrowing schemes; get involved with such ventures as libraries usually always welcome volunteers – in the process, you will not only be helping your library’s community outreach programs but meeting new people as well who enjoy reading and learning.

Explore library-based events

Again most public libraries have a fun-filled calendar of events which usually includes film screenings, lectures by literary celebrities and annual book fairs too. If you are a member of a library with larger resources, you may also have access high-profile book-based events; in fact book launches in recent years have emerged as some of the most sought-after cultural events and often draw a large section of attractive singles from various walks of society. Many times such launches include book reading sessions where the author reads out certain passages from the book to a select audience. Then again there are author signings where you can have your copy scrawled by a celebrity signature. If your library hosts such high-profile events like book launches, book readings and author signings, you are sure to have many opportunities in connecting with other well-read people who are fans of a particular writer or aficionados of a certain literary genre.

Go online

The internet has emerged as the place for making worldwide connections based on common interests. The same is true for book lovers as well. You can join social cataloging sites like Librarything.com or goodreads.com which allow bibliophiles to share personal catalogs and book lists with other members. Such sites are great ways to find people who frequent libraries and who knows, you may come upon someone who goes to the same place as you do. Amazon.com again is much more than an online store and has in fact many enthusiastic reviewers who give their take on and invite discussions on new releases as well as old favorites. Then there are niche matchmaking sites which cater specifically to book lovers. Just like dating sites, you need to become a member before you enter a favorite author or book and click search for a list of potential literary mates who could be relationship material as well.

Other networking venues for book-lovers

since the main resource in libraries are books, looking for socializing opportunities for book-lovers will throw you in company with library regulars too. Bookstores these days offer a whole range of lifestyle choices centered on books, reading accessories, fancy stationery, favorite CDs and DVDs and the like. All these factors have been responsible for bringing in book lovers in far greater numbers than before so that the reading spaces and coffee stations in these stores often turn out to be popular venues for checking out men and women of the opposite sex. Your Facebook or MySpace account can again offer useful opportunities of getting in touch with other book lovers. These social networking sites are great ways of reaching out to people who share the same interests as you do and if it is the printed word that turns you on, these will definitely help you locate people who're into reading and frequenting libraries.