People ages 23-38, often called “new adults” or millennials, are flocking to their public libraries for programming geared directly towards them. Some of these classes focus on “adulting;” life skills like using hand tools, sewing, managing personal finance, and cooking.
Millennials aren’t only flocking to libraries to learn how to use that pressure cooker they got for Christmas. Other social programs are targeting this population as well. “Even though all of our adult programming is open to that elusive ‘new adult’ population, those programs did not seem to inspire their attendance,” says Ashley Loria, Children’s Department Supervisor at the Ridgewood Public Library. This hard-to-reach group is the target of the latest trend in library programming.
Clark Public Library’s Director Megan Kociolek wanted to add more millennial programming. The staff already runs two book clubs; but most members are older adults. With the success of these types of programs and the intent of targeting millennials, Books and Brew was born. This bimonthly book club meets at the The Clark Bar at Whole Foods in Clark. Reference librarian Erin Coffey says the library has received lots of positive responses about this program. “There are plenty of millennials who are interested, but also many older adults. I think it will be really interesting having the mix of ages at the meeting.” The first meeting of Books and Brew will take place Monday, February 25th at 7:00 pm at The Clark Bar at Whole Foods in Clark. They are reading Artemis by Andy Weir.
The Ridgewood Public Library recently did something similar with their Stars Hollow Trivia Night. Players ages eighteen and up gathered at a local restaurant to play trivia based on the popular TV series Gilmore Girls. They’ve also hosted similar events through their Ridgewood Public Library Pub Trivia series about Harry Potter, Parks & Rec, and Indiana Jones. These events are not just open to Ridgewood residents, but registration is required. To see when Ridgewood is offering their next trivia night, visit the library program calendar.
But the life skills classes aren’t just for new adults. The teens in Cherry Hill are learning life skills early with a great series called “Teen’s Guide to Life.” Melissa Brinn, young adult librarian and page supervisor, and Beth Cackowski, supervisor of youth services, noticed their teens needed life skills and saw an opportunity for the library to fulfill those needs. They have run classes for teens on email etiquette, sewing, makeup, hand tools, and self-defense. Cherry Hill also holds a Young Entrepreneur Craft Fair, where teens are invited to make and sell their own goods. This teaches them money management, sales, branding, and more important skills. Keep your eye on upcoming events in this series by visiting the Cherry Hill Public Library calendar– teens from other communities are welcome to attend, but registration is required.
Want to see programs like these at your local library? Find your library, and stop by to make a suggestion!