Getting checked out at the library takes on a whole new meaning when the Prince George Public Library makes its first foray into the world of relationships.
On Feb. 5 and 6, the Bob Harkins branch will host its first Read-Dating event, a novel approach to the speed-dating genre.
It's an idea the library has been kicking around for a few years, said communications co-ordinator Andrea Palmer.
"The Vancouver Public [Library] had one that went over gangbusters," she said.
But it was a prompt from someone outside of the library community that made them finally take the leap.
The library is teaming up with incoming grocery store Home Sweet Home to present the two nights, with Diandra Oliver facilitating the single mingle.
A northern B.C. native who recently returned to the city, Oliver said she was looking to a fun alternative to online dating.
There's also an element of bringing Prince George up to speed on what's happening in other urban centres, said Home Sweet Home co-founder Laura Sapergia.
"We can follow those sorts of things and models and events that are happening elsewhere... and we can do them here and successfully," she said. "It certainly makes the winter warmer."
Aimed at adults between the ages of 20 and 40, the hour-and-a-half event will take place in the Keith Gordon room beginning at 7 p.m. On Feb. 5, a maximum of 20 men and 20 women will move through a circle of three-minute dates. On Feb. 6, the night is aimed at an LGBTQ crowd, so there is no restriction on the gender of the participants.
At the end of the evening, Home Sweet Home will provide dessert and an opportunity for participants to socialize and - if they caught a spark - exchange contact information.
Don't know what to talk about in those three minutes? The library has got that covered. Participants are urged to bring their favourite book, film, or CD as a starting point.
"We've heard a lot of great positive feedback from these types of events being held at other libraries and for people who might be shy about - quote unquote - this kind of thing or meeting new people, the fact that we're organizing it so that they come with a book or library item as a conversation starter is just a great way to get rid of those initial nerves," said Palmer.
Having a dedicated night for LGBTQ participants was something else Oliver brought to the table, said Palmer.
"It's also about people getting to know each other and maybe meeting a love but also the community building and getting to know people in the community," said Oliver.
Depending on how someone identifies, participants could register to take part in both nights, she added.
And while making that love connection is a bonus, the event is really about branching out, stressed the organizers.
"It's going to be really intimate for every body," said Oliver. "You'll have to talk to everybody and it's really more like a fun event, a social event, to get to know people."
And if the event is a success, Palmer said there will be others in the future to cater to the above-40 crowd.
"It's also been brought to us that we ought to do one for seniors," said Palmer. "And we would love to. We'll see how this works."
Registration is required. To do so, contact the library's adult info desk at 250-563-9251 ext. 141.
