I am getting ready to try a new idea (new for me anyway) and take my blog live.

The focus of my blog, Eat4Today.com
is food and eating issues, particularly as relating to self-help
diseases such as obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, high
cholesterol or other conditions where the doctor says you have to
change everything you’ve been doing and I’ll see you in 3 months.

Well.  It occurred to me that these sorts of issues affect loads
of people who never go near the Internet, much less a blog!  And
how could I bring my discussion to them?  

And I decided that I’d do a presentation at the public library.
 I would put notices up around grocery stores and other public
bulletin boards (like for the Dean Meetup all those years ago.)
 And see who shows up.

Then — I went to the Community Services Librarian at my library to see what she thought of the idea.  And she loved it.  She wants to do it as a regular thing at the library and she’s going to handle publicity.

We’ve reserved the auditorium for 2 evenings a month through the end
of the year.  Just to see how it goes.  So, it’s an
experiment, who knows how it will go.  But what an idea!

I think it’s a good idea for any of us with a special interest or developing knowledge of an issue.  

Libraries are always looking for programming of interest to the
community.  Can your interest be packaged in a way that would draw
your neighbors to an evening discussion group?  Or something like
a teach-in?

Almost all public libraries have meeting rooms that are available
for anyone to use.  So, even if the library isn’t interested in
making it a formal program, you can reserve a room and promote it
yourself.

I really think it’s important for us to become as comfortable with
public speaking and presentations as with writing comments and diaries.
 Even if our audience is limited to just a couple of people, it
will give us experience that is very valuable.

And as we go on, we can find ways to broaden that audience.
 And soon, when the local newspaper & TV stations are looking
for someone to interview on your topic, it will be you!  And
you’ll know how to say what you mean.

Are you interested?  Here’s a link to a list of all the U.S. Public Libraries.