FARMINGTON — The Farmington Public Library has a special valentine for you — a blind date with a book.
Plainly wrapped books await a chance for readers to open them and spend some time with them. The reader has only one clue pasted on the front that gives them any idea of what they’re signing out, explained Librarian Melanie Taylor-Coombs.
“But they’re flying off the shelves,” she said.
Actually, it’s a table display. But within just three days, half the books have already been checked out.
The idea was taken from one promoted by a library in the West.
Jen Scott, library staff, took the suggestion. Within a couple days, she developed the display, including a variety of books, all wrapped in plain gray paper.
She even wrote a humorous clue for each one, Taylor-Coombs said.
As one never knows who a blind date might be, this is a blind date with an unknown book.
“People are having fun with it,” she said, while taking a guess at what book might be under the wrapper.
“Hydrate your pachyderms and call me a good time,” the clue begins. She’s figured it out, but she’s not telling.
Some people have already come back for a second blind date and told library staff how much they’re enjoying the valentine special, she said.
Scott instructs readers on a poster above the books to “Pick a date. Check it out. Unwrap it. Show it your favorite reading spot. Spend some quality time together. Introduce it to your friends. Take a chance on love. Book Love!”
There’s even a chance to sign up for a mystery prize hidden within the book.
The display will continue through Valentine’s Day, she said.
abryant@sunjournal.com
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- A valentine special is being offered at Farmington Public Library — a blind date with a book. Librarian Melanie Taylor-Coombs on Thursday stands next to wrapped books that bear only one clue on the front cover, inviting patrons to “fall in love with a book.”
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- Farmington Public Library volunteer Anne-Marie Da Costa of Farmington checks out a wrapped book Thursday. Each bears a clue on its cover as part of the library’s valentine special — a blind date with a book.
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- A unique valentine special at the Farmington Public Library invites patrons to “fall in love … with a book.” Each book is wrapped and the cover gives one clue what’s inside.
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- Readers are taking a chance on a blind date with a book at Farmington Public Library. The valentine special display offers them a chance to take out a wrapped book with only one clue on its cover about what’s inside.
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- Readers are taking a chance on a blind date with a book at Farmington Public Library. The valentine special display offers them a chance to take out a wrapped book with only one clue on its cover about what’s inside.
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- Readers are taking a chance on a blind date with a book at Farmington Public Library. The valentine special display offers them a chance to take out a wrapped book with only one clue on its cover about what’s inside.
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