By Sam Ehlinger (they/them)

Whether it’s your spouse, queer platonic partner or a new lover you’re trying to impress, the local library may have just what you need. 

I know everything sucks right now. Finding joy is really hard. I’ve been looking for ways to recharge with the people I love without participating in capitalism to the extent that I can. And the library is a great way to do it. 

I’ve dreamed up some ideas, some things I’ve tried, and some things I’m planning to do in the coming weeks with my friends and my partner.

So without further ado, here are some date ideas using the library!  

Do something at the library 

The library itself can be its own outing. Do you want to go check out books together? It’s like shopping together but it’s free! Nothing cuter than picking up your holds together on a Saturday. 

Book checkout aside, there are other things you can do at the library together… 

Go to a library event: The library has so many cool events that would make a great outing and they are free! Go make something at The Studio at Champaign Public Library, or go to the Romance Book Club at The Urbana Free Library.

The Champaign Public Library Events Calendar is here. 

The Urbana Free Library Events Calendar is here. 

Be makers in The Studio: Can’t make it to an event night, but want to test out the makerspace at Champaign Public Library? 

In the basement of Champaign Public Library is their makerspace The Studio, where you can make some low cost stuff together, like your own t-shirts perhaps, or make something out of wood with the Glowforge laser cutter!

You could even make a love song together in the recording booths for free! 

Learn more about what The Studio has to offer here. 

Play board games from The Urbana Free Library: The Urbana Free Library has a great board game collection on the second floor. 

Check out a game and find a cozy spot to play it together in the library! 

Check out something for a date away

Okay if you decided to go on the date to check out something together or pick up your holds, while you are there, would you consider checking out something from one of the below categories to plan out your next date? 

Book marathon: Okay the most obvious one, but have you considered having a book marathon with your significant other? You check out some books, make your space cozy, set up some snacks or cook a nice meal, put your screens away, put on some nice music and plow through some books for the next, I don’t know, 8 hours or so. 

Movie night: Check out a movie or two from the library and turn your house into a home movie theater! Microwave some popcorn and make it a double (or triple) feature. 

Craft day: There are tons of books on different crafts at the library, maybe you can learn how to do a new craft together! Been meaning to learn how to knit, and that ball of yarn is sitting at home with the needles you bought months ago? Pick up a book and learn together! 

Bird watching: Like to look at cool birds? Get a birding book from the library and head to the park with your friend! 

Plan a virtual trip: School is in session! Pick a place you have always wanted to travel to. Check out some guide books, and get some books about the culture and history of the place. A lot of museums offer virtual exhibits and museum tours online since the pandemic. Maybe you can even check out and watch a documentary on the place together, or a specific time in history, or a historical site you want to visit… You don’t need to have money to learn about places you have never been to before. 

Cooking competition: Did you know that both of our libraries have amazing cookbook collections? Check out some cookbooks and make something delicious together, or compete against each other and enroll one of your partners as the taste tester!

Paint night: Check out some art books and do your best to recreate them! 

Listening session: Did you know that the library has CDs and vinyl available for checkout? Check out something you both have wanted to listen to from the library – don’t buy it. Instead of sharing earbuds, put it in your boombox or record player and listen to it together on the floor of your bedroom while you stare at the ceiling. 

Check in with your loved ones, care for each other, and check back in for the final part of my gay’s guide to the library series.

Coming up next: I’m going to go in-depth on two library gems: the Champaign Public Library’s makerspace The Studio, and The Urbana Free Library’s Seed Library!