Nearly seven years ago, my family and I packed up our home in Las Vegas, Nevada, and moved across the country to St. Charles County, Missouri. I grew up in Las Vegas, so I left behind longtime friends, family, and very long hot summers (that I still don’t miss). As you can probably imagine, Missouri was a little different than Nevada. Random strangers spoke to me in the grocery store. Lots of entertainment was free. Plants grew outside! And I knew absolutely no one in our new community. 

How would I ever find friends? My neighbors were nice but already had their people. My kids were nearly grown, so I wasn’t interacting with other parents very often. We didn’t have a lot of extra money for evenings out to mix and mingle. After a few lonely months, I was hired to work at the Boone’s Trail Branch Library. I suddenly found myself talking to kind and interesting people every day. I had discovered the magic formula! Need some friends? Try the Library. 

Even if you’re not new to the area, chances are you can find a community of like-minded people at a branch near you. Many customers are “regulars” at classes and events. If you attend a book discussion group, you’ll generally see the same people every month and get to know each other quickly. (That tends to happen when you discuss the deep topics that emerge while discussing a book!) No time to read? Attend Story Time at Cliff View or Corporate Parkway. Stop in for Coffee and Conversation at the Augusta Branch. Play Canasta at Boone’s Trail. Come to crafting classes, history presentations, “Meet the Author” events, or game nights. Some folks even wander into the Library every day to read the newspaper, use the computers, or let the kids play - and talk to other customers that come in to do the same. Not only can you get to know people that way, but you’ll also save money on subscriptions, internet service, or books and toys. 

As a new resident of Missouri, I learned that no one needs to be lonely when a library is in the neighborhood. Even now, four years after leaving the Boone’s Trail Branch for a marketing role at the Library, I still cherish the co-workers and customers that made me feel at home in those early days. In fact, I’m still part of the Fiction Fans book discussion group at the Boone’s Trail Branch, and I highly recommend it. 

Last week, my husband was offered a job in North Carolina. After weighing his amazing opportunity against the life we’ve built here, we made the tough decision to go. We’ll start our new adventure at the end of April. I only hope that the people I meet there will be as wonderful and as welcoming as the friends I have made at the St. Charles City-County Library. And I know exactly where I will start my search in North Carolina for new companions in a new community.

Want to find a tribe? Here are a few opportunities at the Boone’s Trail Branch or the Augusta Branch. (Don’t mind driving? Visit myLibrary.org/eCalendar to see many more events at all of the Library branch locations.) 

Take & Make Pikachu Terrarium - Tweens & Teens Create*
Tuesday, April 5: All-day
Augusta Branch - tweens & teens
Create a Pikachu and then decorate a Poké Ball terrarium to keep it in.
Crafting Connections - I Love Quilts!
Tuesday, April 5: 10:00am - 12:00pm
Augusta Branch - adults
What will you create? Meet other quilt lovers at this monthly event.
Canasta - Game On!*
Tuesdays, April 5, 12, 19, 26: 1:00pm - 3:30pm
Thursdays, April 7, 14, 21, 28: 12:30pm - 4:00pm
Boone’s Trail Branch - adults
Need to get out of the house? Learn to play Hand & Foot Canasta!
Coffee and Conversation
Thursdays, April 7, 14, 21, 28: 9:00am - 10:00am
Augusta Branch - adults
Enjoy a cup of coffee, a sweet treat, and conversation with others in the community.
Crafting Connections - Yarn Arts
Thursdays, April 7, 14, 21, 28: 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Augusta Branch - adults
Other yarn enthusiasts will keep you company while you work on your knit, crochet, or embroidery project.
Book Discussion - "The Exiles" by Christina Baker Kline*
Monday, April 11: 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Boone's Trail Branch - adults
When Evangeline is falsely accused of theft in early nineteenth-century London, she is sent to prison and then to a penal colony in Australia. Though uncertain of what awaits, Evangeline knows one thing: the child she carries will be born on the months-long voyage to this distant land. Join us to discuss this compelling story.
Crafting Connections - Make It Sew*
Thursday, April 14: 4:30pm - 6:30pm
August Branch - adults
Learn how to make a 15” round placemat (or table topper.)
"Read to a Dog" - Tale Waggers - Love on a Leash*
Thursday, April 14: 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Boone's Trail Branch - children
Kids can practice reading aloud to an attentive, adorable dog.
Book Discussion - "Hamnet" by Maggie O’Farrell*
Monday, April 18: 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Augusta Branch - adults
Join us as we discuss this deeply moving novel about the death of Shakespeare’s 11-year-old son and the years leading up to the production of his great play.
Book Discussion - "The Four Winds" by Kristine Hannah*
Thursday, April 21: 11:00am - 12:00pm
Boone's Trail Branch - adults
Texas 1921: Elsa Wolcott is deemed too old to marry in a time when marriage is a woman’s only option. Her future seems bleak until she meets Rafe Martinelli and decides to change the direction of her life. This novel has a lot of plot to unpack. Let’s talk about it!
Macramé Tassel Earrings - Discover Crafting*
Choose one of three sessions:
Monday, April 25: 1:00pm - 2:30pm
Tuesday, April 26: 5:00pm - 6:30pm
Saturday, April 30: 10:00am - 11:30am
Boone's Trail Branch - adults
Learn to make these fun macramé tassel earrings for yourself or to give as a gift for Mother’s Day! 

*Register at myLibrary.org/eCalendar or call Boone’s Trail at 636-398-6200 or Augusta at 636-228-4855 for more information about classes. 

The Boone’s Trail and Augusta branches are open Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 9:00 a.m.- 7:00 p.m. and Saturday, 9:00 a.m.- 12:00 noon. All St. Charles City-County Library locations will be closed on Sunday, April 17 for Easter.