by Clelia Sweeney

It can be hard to make friends as an adult. Whether you are a recent graduate making your way in the world for the first time, someone who just moved to town, or just looking for new people to add to your circle, speed friending could be for you. It is a socializing, mingling event with a speed-dating-like set up but no dating or romance involved. If you are looking to meet new people and make friends, it is a great place to start.

If this sounds intriguing, come join us for a round of speed friend-matching and casual socializing at the Ames Public Library! We are hosting a Speed Friending event on Saturday, September 16, from 2-4:30 PM in the Library’s Auditorium. There will be guided one-on-one conversations followed by time to hang out, play games, and chat. Light refreshments will be available so people can snack as they mingle. Everyone 18 or older is welcome.

If in-person socializing is not your thing (or not your thing yet!) we have books that may help expand your friend circle. Shasta Nelson’s “Friendships Don’t Just Happen!: The Guide to Creating a Meaningful Circle of Girlfriends” is great for women looking to cultivate fulfilling friendships as well as navigate the dynamics of casual connections. She promises to help you go “from loneliness to friendtimacy”! “The Irresistible Introvert: Harness the Power of Quiet Charisma in a Loud World” by Michaela Chung is another great resource for all the introverts out there who struggle to find their social footing. This book will help you frame introversion as a strength as you deepen your communication and relationship skills.

It can also be useful to do some navel-gazing and figure out what makes you tick when looking for people to connect with. What qualities do you value in others and what kinds of personalities are you drawn to? John D. Mayer’s book Personal Intelligence: The Power of Personality and How It Shapes Our Lives investigates those questions and more. You can always ask us for more recommendations at the second-floor service desk. And we hope to see you here in September!