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Libraries have been the storehouse of knowledge for centuries. People go to libraries to enjoy the quietness and immerse themselves into reading. But all this is changing.

In Belgium, librarians Eric Van der Straeten and Danny Theuwis began experimenting with the idea of libraries as a social gathering place - not just for the teens but for adults too. It is speed-dating, but in a new setting - with books.They call it “bib-dating” (Dutch for library-dating).

Mr Theuwis experimented with the idea three years ago, combining 14 single bookworms - most between 18 and 35 - with novels. “I got some flowers for the tables, candles and gave those who came a glass of red wine,” he said. “I got a lot of e-mails after that saying it was a pity it was only a one-off.”

The pair have conducted sessions at the Antwerp’s Dutch-language Permeke library to train librarians from 306 libraries on hosting bib-dating.

Here is how it works:

Participants begin by drawing a question, for example, what was your favorite book as a child. They go around the room with the question and mingle. For the second round, readers reach for the three favorite books or passages they were asked to bring, and like speed dating, share their thoughts one-to-one with others for a few minutes before switching to a new partner. At the end of the session, participants fill in a note to be placed in the book of the person they would like to meet again. “The ultimate is to plan another bib-date, or meet elsewhere in the library”.

It is a safe way to meet up with people who share your interests in literature. Lot of libraries have caught up on this and are turning into cultural hub.

State Library of Victoria in Australia started Text Appeal: Literary Dating, a new take on the traditional dating formula wherein each person brings a book which acts as a conversation starter. Jane Austen may find Patrick O’Brien, Salman Rushdie could be captivated by Zadie Smith, and JK Rowling - can take her pick. The books people bring may reveal who they are, who they aren’t and perhaps who they are looking for, all in a three-minute conversation. It started in December of 2006 and will continue till 14th February, 2007.

 Which brings me to social networks around this idea. LibraryThing, which is still in beta, is creating a community of people where each individual can enter what he/she is reading or his/her whole library. LibraryThing connects users based on the books they share.

There is an interesting news on literary-dating being tried in a Boston-area bookstore: The book of love: Literary Speed Dating brings author-ity to singles’ events.

There is still some time before the Valentine’s day, may be you can convince your library to host bib-dating

Source: Looking for Love

Technorati Tags: bib-dating, - literary-dating, - valentine’s-day, - library-dating, - dating, - books, - library, - LibraryThing, - love, - text-appeal, - literary-dating

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