ST. PAUL – The St. Paul Municipal Library has set up a hangout space for teens and adults to come and unwind every Thursday evening in the library’s den area.
The initiative, Social Hub, began just after Thanksgiving.
“It’s a space where people could just drop-in and meet maybe somebody new in a really casual setting,” said Monique Poulin, program coordinator at the library. “Everybody is invited.”
The social hangout space is also a good opportunity for newcomers to learn about their new community and the services available, added Poulin.
“If they need something specific, we can direct them into those other community organizations that might be able to help them,” like the food bank, assistance with doing their taxes, or connecting people with other ongoings in the community that they might be interested in, she explained.
Social Hub, she said, is somewhat similar to a social club, “where you don’t necessarily always need to come.”
“You might just want to come one time, [or] you might just want to come a couple of times,” said Poulin. “It’s really just that kind of a space,” where anybody in the community is free to stop by.
Poulin also encourages the community to share their thoughts or suggestions as to what potential activities could be offered.
“We didn't want to do a board game, because we also run a board game night,” she said, adding, puzzles are currently being offered as an activity to allow people to come and go whenever they please.
“It has to be something that you can join in at any time.”
The Social Hub runs from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Thursdays.
Poulin also wants to remind the community about the library’s upcoming events like the book sale, which is running Nov. 19 to 23.
She said people can also watch out for more information about the library’s annual letters to Santa initiative, where children can write letters to Santa and get a response.
