A topic that resonated with me in the Hyperlinked Communities module was the topic of mental health, particularly loneliness. The article, “Hungry for Connection: Addressing Loneliness Through the Library,” discusses a type of relationship called “weak ties” and how libraries help foster them (Rich, 2024). These are the relationships we form outside of our close circle of friends and family that are more casual in nature (Rich, 2024). Rich (2024) states that, “these social connections [weak ties] help shape a feeling of belonging that one needs to combat feelings of loneliness” (para. 8).
I wanted to create a guide of steps people can take to meet people through the libraries. The steps are general enough that they can be applied to any local library. I listed them in order of what I consider “easiest” to “hardest” from the perspective of an introvert (me). I used my local library system, Hennepin County Library, as an example.
1. Do your routine activities at the library, not at home: Do you read, study, watch Netflix, or do a hobby, alone in your home? Why not do it at the library? Although you may not be directly interacting with people, it can be nice to be around others.
2. Attend an online event: Dip your toes into meeting new people by attending an online event. For some people, Zoom interactions can feel less daunting than face-to-face meetings (for others it may be the opposite). An added benefit is that barriers to access related to transportation are removed. Find an event that interests you and try it out. Hennepin County Library has an “Events” webpage, where under “Location” it allows you to filter by “Online events” (Hennepin County Library, n.d.-a).
3. Attend an in person event: The next step could be to attend an event in person. Look at your local library’s calendar for upcoming events. If you want to meet people, pick an event that is more social, not just a presentation. A recurring event may be a good idea (ex: book club) since you may see some of the same people each week which will help foster stronger connections. The article, “‘Free, non-judgemental, accessible’: How your local library is a sanctuary of health and wellness” mentions an individual named Kerri who participated in Melbourne City Library’s “Conversation Club” where frequent participation helped her stave off loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic (Hasan, 2023).
4. Volunteer: This one is more of a commitment than the other three ideas. However, when you help others in your community, it can help create a sense of purpose. The Hennepin County Library has a “Volunteer” webpage that explains what types of positions are available and how to apply (Hennepin County Library, n.d.-b).
I hope these tips are useful. Let me know if you have tried or will try any of them out!
References
Rich, H. (2024, February 5). Hungry for connection: Addressing loneliness through the library. Library Journal. https://www.libraryjournal.com/story/news/hungry-for-connection-addressing-loneliness-through-the-library
Hasan, T.N. (2023, June 27). ‘Free, non-judgemental, accessible’: How your local library is a sanctuary of health and wellness. SBS Bangla. https://www.sbs.com.au/language/bangla/en/article/free-nonjudgmental-and-accessible-how-your-local-library-is-a-sanctuary-of-health-and-wellness/t15blzsi9
Hennepin County Library. (n.d.-a). Events [Webpage]. https://hclib.bibliocommons.com/v2/events?_gl=1*tlohbv*_ga*MTQxNjYwODM2NS4xNzg1Njg1NzEw*_ga_HJ2JEWCJY3*czE3OTE2NTk5NDUkbzkkZzEkdDE3OTE2NjAyNzIkajU5JGwwJGgw
Hennepin County Library. (n.d.-b). Volunteer [Webpage]. https://www.hclib.org/about/volunteer