A temporary location and construction affected our ability to keep in touch with our community, especially our millennials. Millennials, frequently considered non-traditional library users, utilize digital resources like Google versus curated library resources and rarely return to the library without cause, such as starting a family or a true research need. We sought a new way to re-introduce our library to our community and re-engage our millennials and non-traditional library users with our branch.

It started with an idea, bringing samples and brewing techniques to the library for an after hours event. I discussed the idea with colleagues and contacted a local brewery to determine feasibility. Everything came together - we had three breweries willing to provide samples, agreements with two well-known local historians and brewers and most importantly, the support of our administration and Friends group. The emphasis of our event was on our presentations and digital resources.

Our event was a success. Opening our doors after hours, engaging interest in brewing history and techniques brought us over 100 guests on a Friday night in June. I anticipated customers running in for a sample and then leaving. That did not happen. Customers stayed to listen to our various presentations. Our audience was composed of mostly millennials, sharing posts on social media, asking for similiar events and altering traditional mental models of libraries.