Dundee Twp. library offers young professionals group
For all the twentysomethings sick of Facebook or the Fox Valley night scene, Dundee Township Public Library is now offering a new way to network.
"The Young and the Restless" is aimed at young professionals interested in meeting others in the community. The first event starts at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday for pizza and a movie at the library with future events alternating between on- and off-site locations.
"This is our attempt to have some face-to-face interaction outside of Facebook," said Jason Katsion, a co-founder of the new group.
About four months ago, Katsion, 32, and his colleagues in library Information Services decided they needed to reach out to people in their 20s and 30s - a group largely overlooked in past programming at the library. Katsion, along with Heather Zabski, 26, and Danielle Pacini, 27, settled on Tuesday night events, starting with the screening of "The Big Lebowski" that will launch the group.
"It's a timeless classic," Zabski said.
Three events are planned, for starters, for a Tuesday in each of the coming three months. Katsion said he hopes the midweek event will draw those who want to get involved without committing their weekends. Mostly, he said, they want to "reach as many people as they can and have some fun."
"The Young and the Restless" is about providing a networking space for young professionals. But it's also about re-imagining who the library is there to serve.
"This isn't just a place where kids go in for storytime," said Pacini. "It's for people of our age group as well."
"The Big Lebowski" event starts at 6:30 p.m. in the library at 555 Barrington Ave., East Dundee. Future events include trivia at 7 p.m. Oct. 12 at Emmett's, 128 W. Main St., West Dundee, and a "Travel Savvy" lecture at 7 p.m. Nov. 9 at the library where traveler, author and photographer Cynthia Clampitt will share ways to "save money, cut risks, reduce hassles and enjoy the road." Registration is required for the lecture. Call (847) 428-3661 ext. 308 or visit dundeelibrary.info.