Read Dating: A Radio Romance!

You’ve heard of Book Clubs, Reading Circles, maybe literary cocktail gatherings. How about Read Dating?

If you are interested in meeting other singles with bookish interests, this popular Library program might just be for you! And if you are an outgoing documentary lover, you might be featured in a radio broadcast of our June 20 program at the Central Library.

The Library has held four Read Dating events, all of which have been a great success with participants asking for more! The June event is for up to 24 literary-minded 25 to 35 year olds who love to talk about what they’re reading or have read. As an added bonus, participants might be featured in a CBC radio documentary for the esteemed program Sunday Edition with Michael Enright.

Broadcaster Teresa Goff hopes that four or five participants might work with her on the radio documentary. And if you are shy, don’t worry you don’t have to go to air! Library staff will provide information when you register.

VPL staff created the Central Library program after reading about similar events at U.S. and European public libraries. And just as at those libraries, Vancouver residents were keen to look for love, friendship or just interesting book, CD or DVD recommendations. The Library’s safe and neutral environment, a venue without alcohol and an eagerness to meet people with similar interests were most cited as the reasons people wanted to participate.

The format is simple: there are two participants at each table and they have four to five minutes (depending on the number of Read Daters) to share their enthusiasm about a favourite book, CD or DVD. Participants bring a copy along as an icebreaker. When Library staff ring the bell, one of the participants moves to the next table until everyone has had a chance to meet.

“People felt so comfortable at the end of the other events they stayed to socialize and chat about Library programs, and one group even went out for a post-program bite to the establishment that provided some gift certificates as prizes,” said Robbie Burma, Assistant Manager in the Popular Reading department where Read Dating was created.

Yes, there are prizes too!

In addition to the June 20 program, the Library is planning a GLBTQ event on July 21 to coincide with PRIDE. As long as the demand continues and there are waiting lists for Read Dating events, the Library will continue to offer this novel and fun-filled program.

Registration for the June 20 event begins on May 14 at the Central Library Level 2 Information desk or by calling 604-331-3691.