In this blog post, we’ll hear from Wellesley Free Library Information Services Librarian Haley Schmidt about engaging her community through Trivia Night!
Please tell us about trivia night. How did you come up with this idea as a means of community outreach?
Haley Schmidt: Trivia Night has been a lot of fun! In 2024, I wanted to introduce more interactive programs that could take place beyond the library’s traditional offerings. I’ve always been a fan of trivia—and I’m never shy about sharing a fun fact or two—so hosting a trivia night felt like a natural fit.
Evening programs can sometimes be challenging to staff and attend, especially after school and work hours. While talking with my supervisor, Greg Peverill-Conti, about my interest in hosting trivia, I shared some hesitation about potential attendance. He mentioned that he enjoyed attending trivia nights at local bars and restaurants, which sparked a new idea: instead of trying to bring patrons into the library, what if we brought the library to them?
Partnering with a local business felt like a great way to meet patrons halfway. I reached out to Lockheart Restaurant, a popular and relatively new restaurant just down the street from the Wellesley Free Library. Lockheart already hosted trivia nights on Tuesdays, which made it an ideal opportunity. I proposed that the library take over trivia one Tuesday each month, an easy adjustment that wouldn’t disrupt their existing schedule and would also give their regular trivia host a night off. Lockheart’s owner, Mark Hicklin, was enthusiastic about partnering with the community library, and from there, the program quickly took shape.
Now, on the third Tuesday of every month, I serve as the trivia host. I write all the trivia questions, while my partner Ben helps with scoring. We follow Lockheart’s established trivia format: five rounds with five questions per round. The program has been a wonderful way to promote the library, connect with patrons in a new setting, and engage with the Wellesley community in a fun and welcoming environment.
What has been your community’s response to trivia night?
Schmidt: The response has been so positive! We promote the program on our events calendar, and patrons have come up to me at Trivia Night to say they attended because they saw a flyer in the library. When hosting, I always make a point to give a shoutout to the library and introduce myself as a local information services librarian.
It’s been especially rewarding to hear people say they haven’t visited the library in years. I usually respond with a tongue-in-cheek remark: “If you find these trivia questions difficult, you can always stop by and ask a librarian.” On a few occasions, people have assumed that trivia host is my main profession—only to later recognize me when they see me working at the library.
The partnership has been beneficial for Lockheart as well, bringing in more participants for Trivia Night and encouraging people to try the restaurant for the first time. We’ve even developed a group of regulars who show up consistently on the third Tuesday of each month. This program has now been successful for two years, and I’m excited to see how it continues to grow.
What advice would you give to other libraries looking to engage with their community in a similar way?
Schmidt: I say it never hurts to ask. Often the community is more than willing to connect with the library, but don’t know how to or how to get communication started. Communication and awareness of the community you serve in is crucial to building strong relationships with your patrons.
Any final thoughts?
Schmidt: I hope to see you there for the next Trivia Night!
Interview with Wellesley Free Library Information Services Librarian Haley Schmidt
