Are you a new Mechanics’ Institute member? Been here for awhile, but would like to know more about what we offer? To get everyone up to speed on some of the library’s programming, here’s a non-exhaustive overview of some of our most popular services:
Discussion Groups meet on a regular basis: typically either bi-weekly, monthly, or quarterly. We currently host member-led book groups (World Literature, Catch-22), librarian-facilitated book groups (Brown Bag Mystery Readers, Virginia Woolf Readers, and the Book Riot Read Harder Book Group), and the Proust Group, run by Dr. Mark Calkins. We also host a TED Talks discussion group, held in the 4th floor meeting room on the second Tuesday of each month. With the exception of the Proust Group, all discussion groups are free and open to members of the Mechanics’ Institute, no pre-registration required. Discussion groups are frequented by members who like to talk about books and ideas as well as listening to what others have to say. I daresay that many lifelong friendships have been formed in some of our long-running discussion groups!
The library offers several classes and workshops each month, including monthly e-Materials downloads workshops, one-on-one technology office hours, a robust group of classes on financial literacy, and courses related to the library’s services, database offerings, and technology-focused topics – everything from email etiquette to building your blog. Look for future classes on using Goodreads, an orientation to the library’s website and online catalog, literary magazines (web and print) for writers, and encrypting your online life.
Writers’ Services include the member-led Indie Publishers Working Group, monthly Writer’s Lunches, and several workshop and critique groups that MI writers have formed over the years. We also host occasional groups such as the Teacherless Writing Group, a NaNoWriMo writing challenge group, and individual topical classes on craft. Litquake also offers weekend courses in our 4th floor board room on occasion, so be on the lookout for these workshops!
Weekly noon tours of the Mechanics’ Institute building are led by a rotating cast of librarians every Wednesday. Registration is not required, and the tour is free – members and the public meet on the 3rd floor of the library and spend 30 - 45 minutes walking the 1st through 5th floors of the building together, learning about MI's institutional history and current services. Evening tours are offered each quarter by Taryn Edwards, our resident MI history expert – slash librarian – slash partnerships manager! The evening tour is followed by a wine and cheese reception – a great way to get to know your fellow MI members, and learn more about this historic institution.
...and these are just the library's offerings! The Mechanics' Institute also has a vibrant events department and a thriving chess club. Check MI’s new quarterly newsletter for listings and articles, and refer to the web listings for complete details on all of our goings-on. If you have any questions about these or other services offered by the library, call the reference desk at 415.393.0102, or email me at [email protected].
