[OPLINLIST] Belgian Librarians Use Love to Get Readers

[Epling, Jimmie (KDLA)]

After seeing Susan Hill's post to the list, I couldn't resist posting this
one.

 

Jimmie

 

Jimmie Epling, Regional Librarian

FIVCO/Big Sandy Regional Office

Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives

P.O. Box 370, 122 South Main Cross St. 

Louisa, KY 41230-0370

V: 606.638.4797  F:606.638.0586

 <mailto:jimmie.epling at ky.gov> jimmie.epling at ky.gov

 

Belgian Librarians Use Love to Get Readers (Singles who like to read are
descending upon libraries across Belgium as part of an experiment in what
two librarians have dubbed ''lib-dating.''  By designing a new place for
singles to find love, creators Eric Van der Straeten and Danny Theuwis are
hoping to draw more people to books by appealing to their hearts, as well as
blow the dust off stereotypes of libraries as stuffy and solitary places. He
and Van der Straeten have since held sessions at Antwerp's Permeke library
to train librarians from more than 300 libraries across the country on
hosting lib-dating sessions. Van der Straeten said he hopes many of the
libraries will set up their own dating groups in the next few months. Only
35 percent of those living in the northern Flemish region of Belgium belong
to a public library, though a recent survey conducted by the network found
that libraries are the No. 3 spot for recreational activity, after the
cinema and sporting venues, in Flanders, including Brussels.)

New York Times. Feb. 13, 2006

 
<http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/international/AP-Belgium-Library-Dating.htm
l?_r=1&oref=slogin>
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/international/AP-Belgium-Library-Dating.html
?_r=1&oref=slogin

 

It could be a Valentine's setting at any restaurant or bar: Young couples
drink red wine and chat eagerly at intimate tables aglow in candlelight and
adorned with flowers.

            But this romantic venue also features books. Hundreds of them.

            Singles who like to read are descending upon libraries across
Belgium as part of an experiment in what two librarians have dubbed
''lib-dating.''

            By designing a new place for singles to find love, creators Eric
Van der Straeten and Danny Theuwis are hoping to draw more people to books
by appealing to their hearts, as well as blow the dust off stereotypes of
libraries as stuffy and solitary places.

            ''Basically it's speed-dating, but in a new setting -- with
books,'' Van der Straeten said, referring to the popular dating method where
singles are paired for a few minutes of chat before switching partners.

            Theuwis experimented with the dating idea three years ago,
combining 14 single bookworms -- most between 18 and 35 years old -- with
novels.

            ''I got some flowers for the tables, got some candles and gave
those who came a glass of red wine,'' Theuwis said.

            The informal setting and two people huddling to discuss their
favorite books was all that was needed to break the ice and let
relationships blossom, he said.

            He said many of the participants wrote him afterward saying it
was a pity the get-together was a one time thing.

            He and Van der Straeten have since held sessions at Antwerp's
Permeke library to train librarians from more than 300 libraries across the
country on hosting lib-dating sessions. Van der Straeten said he hopes many
of the libraries will set up their own dating groups in the next few months.

            Participants are given 10 minutes to introduce themselves to
others in the group, which Van der Straeten said should not exceed 20 people
to ensure intimacy.

            Upon arriving, participants pick a small piece of paper from a
glass with a question on it, such as: What was your favorite book as a child
and why? They are instructed to go around the room with the question and
mingle.

            For the second round, readers take the three favorite books or
passages they were asked to bring, and share their thoughts one-on-one with
others for a few minutes before switching to a new partner and new books.

            At the end of the session, participants are instructed to put
their books down and write a note to placed in the book of the person they
would like to meet again.

            ''The ultimate is to plan another lib-date, or to meet elsewhere
in the library ... by the letter 'L' for love maybe,'' Van der Straeten
said.

            Frederika Van Wing, manager of the Flanders public library
network's campaign to boost visits, hopes the idea catches on, and draws
more readers to the library.

            She said only 35 percent of those living in the northern Flemish
region of Belgium belong to a public library, though a recent survey
conducted by the network found that libraries are the No. 3 spot for
recreational activity, after the cinema and sporting venues, in Flanders,
including Brussels.

            ''Libraries are turning into cultural hubs. They have a social
role and are the only meeting place in some communities,'' she said.

            Librarians seemed hesitant to embrace the idea at first but said
they are warming up to it.

            ''Maybe we should start this; there is a market for this,'' said
Monica Jacobs, a librarian from the town of Deurne. ''After all, the image
most have of us is of some sort of a reading club of old English aunties.''

 

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