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Singles, at the library?
No, there isn't any alcohol or loud music involved. Instead, try thoughtful discussion among like-minded, literary-oriented adults, said librarian Carol Meadows.
She's leading the library's recently begun Singles Book Club, which started last Thursday with a discussion about Nelson DeMille's 2006 thriller, "Wild Fire."
The free-ranging, informal meetings are meant to be a fun way for singles to share thoughts on books and meet those who also have an interest in reading.
"It's to mix and socialize about literature," Meadows said. "It's really, essentially, for people to meet each other. That's the draw of it."
It's also rare territory for a library. A decidedly unscientific Google search turned up just one other municipality - in Wake County, North Carolina - with a library-sponsored book group targeting singles.
But could a library book club really lead to finding that special someone?
"It's entirely possible," said Downtown librarian Jamie Finley. "I certainly think the library is a community place - and, you know, it's much safer than a bar."
Besides: it's not like the library is a whole lot different than that other place frequented by the singles set.
"It makes as much sense for people to meet here as it does in the supermarket," Finley added.
In fact, if past performance is any indication, libraries might not be such an offbeat place to stage such an effort.
At this library, there've been at least four different marriages from people either working here and meeting somebody, or working at the counter and meeting somebody with a love of books," Meadows said. "So it's not unheard of." As for the group's inaugural meeting? Well, Meadows admits it got off to a sluggish start, with just two attendees.
On the other hand, both sexes were represented, she added, and the attendees seemed to have a pretty good rapport.
"Our library has changed so much, has become much more of a social place, so for me, it's like, 'Why not,'" Meadows said
Meadows said the reading list - which includes, next month, Dan Brown's "Deception Point" - favors titles with a masculine side. "I'm trying to draw in men, because it's usually not as hard to draw in women to a book club," said Meadows, who is single. "These are all books I like - action, detective, mystery and I know a lot of men who like those, rather than some chick literature."
Of course, questions arise when it comes to mixing reading preferences. Can romance readers truly get along with serious literature snobs? Would an Oprah's Book Club fan mesh with a science fiction nut?
Not to worry, librarians said. There's no reason devotees of different genres couldn't get along just fine.
"I find anybody's love for anything kind of exciting," Meadows said. "You can learn something new you might not know about, which can force you to get out of the box a little bit. And, aren't we all attracted to our opposites?"
FYI What: Singles Book Club Where: Maidu Library, 1530 Maidu Drive When: 7-8 p.m., third Thursday of each month Info: 774-5900 Upcoming reads: July 19, "Deception Point" by Dan Brown; Aug. 16, reader's choice; Sept. 20, "Mary, Mary," by James Patterson
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