Although "book tastings" have been compared to speed dating, those who attend the upcoming Book Tasting Program at Boone Area Library on Thursday, March 30, at 6 p.m. will not be meeting singles. Rather, the event is designed to introduce readers to new genres of books.

During the first-time program, attendees will choose a book from each different genre offered that night. They will spend 15 minutes reading one book and then move on to the next. Pizza will be served during the program.

"It is an adult program we are trying out," explained library director Ashley Cole. "What will happen is we will have the tables set up like a cafe with menus. On the menus, there will be four genres, and under each of these genres will be four or five books and they will be asked which one they want to try. You 'order' your book, and everyone gets 15 minutes with each genre. (Like speed dating) you get to meet something new and move on when the timer goes off."

Those who find a book that they would like to continue reading can borrow it from the library to take home. "They can see what they are interested in and check it out and take it home. We will have enough copies of each book so four to five people can take out the same book," noted Cole.

There will also be time to discuss the books that were offered on the menu. "We are going to have time to eat and get together and talk about what books (people) are interested in," said Cole. "It's like a book club, but it's a way of letting people find new books and new genres. Once they get into them, it opens them up to something new."

If successful, the library will host a Book Tasting Program multiple times a year. "Each time we do this we will pick different genres," Cole noted. "The idea is for you to meet and fall for a new genre - historical fiction, romance, psychology thrillers and fantasy. It's something new and exciting. The next time there will be new genres and new books."

The Boone Area Library is located at 129 N. Mill St., Birdsboro. For more information about the program, call 610-582-5666 or visit http://www.facebook.com/boonearealibrary.