Rogers Memorial Library Is Creating A New Coworking Program This Summer

Elizabeth Burns, director of the Rogers Memorial Library, is always looking for new and inventive ways to bring more people to the Windmill Lane facility.

She pictures a place where people can come to do work on their own, and possibly meet an unexpected person who can offer insight into their project. She sees an area close by where a few people can sit and work on a group endeavor, or a room where new partners can sit over a cup of coffee and chat about their ideas.

Now that idea is becoming a reality, with a new coworking program coming to the library this summer.

Coworking is a relatively new concept for libraries, where people can come to a quiet space to accomplish their work, at the same time being exposed to others, some of whom might be able to help. To make it easier for patrons to get projects done, the library will make three spaces available in Cooper Hall—one room for quiet, individual work, one room for small group projects, and one room where chatting will be encouraged.

The program will run every Tuesday from 10 a.m. through 4 p.m. from July 8 through August 26. Participants are encouraged to bring laptops and other materials, while the library will provide free wi-fi, coffee, snacks, the work space, as well as access to all of the library resources.

“This is a way of reaching out to another part of our community and to show that the library is here and we have something to offer,” Ms. Burns said this week. “We thought that this was a unique way of serving our patrons and providing a service to a part of the community we don’t always reach. We are excited about this.”

According to Penelope Wright, the library’s director of adult programming, coworking offers the potential for people in various professions to share their skills as they share a common work space.

Ms. Wright said the library first got the idea to start the program in February after a presentation about the concept of coworking. More than 50 people attended the lecture—which surprised Ms. Burns and Ms. Wright, and inspired them to look into it further.

With the shared space, participants are encouraged to do any project they want, but Ms. Burns said they will not be allowed to conduct a regular commercial business from the space. When they arrive for the session, they will be asked to sign in and share what type of project they are working on. From there, they will be able to see what others are working on, and can see if they can connect with someone who would be helpful to their project.

“There are so many kinds of coworking situations,” Ms. Wright said. “These types of programs are popping up all over the country. This would provide for an opportunity to feel an enhanced sense of community, that is a big goal of ours.”

More information about the program can be found by calling the library at 283-0774, extension 523.

“There is a lot we have to offer to our library patrons and we hope this is another way to expose them to all of these wonderful, free resources,” Ms. Burns said. “This is just another way of offering something that is available through the library.”