The mall, the coffee shop, the bar, the MLC library—what do all these places have in common? They are all popular destinations for MLC students to hang out and socialize. You say that you haven’t experienced all that the MLC library has to offer? I’ll be your go-to guide to let you in on the new hot spot of New Ulm that we claim as our own: the MLC library.

Past social gathering sites have included such classics as walks through Flandrau and mingling with Marty in front of the mall cam. These local hangouts were good for a time, but as the temperatures drop, more students have been looking to the great indoors to continue their social endeavors. Now, chilling with Marty just isn’t as cool when you literally have to be chilled. MLC students have opted for a suitable alternative to the cold weather and have moved the party inside to the fabulous interior of the library.

The MLC library not only has ample social opportunities to offer, but it is also well located at the center of campus. This location is convenient to all busy MLC students, unless you actually like walking all the way out to your car in the frozen tundra of Minnesota, wasting the precious resource of gasoline, and spending the little money left for next semester’s tuition on frivolous things. When taking all these things into consideration, it is absolutely absurd to think that MLC students actually leave campus to go somewhere to socialize when they have a happening spot right in their very own backyard.

In the past, libraries were seen as places hardly fit for the social elite. With the haughty librarians shushing and the nerdy people researching, it’s no wonder that no one has ever considered a library to be the latest hangout. The library staff is changing their former image by catering to this new crowd of hip students. They’ve decked out two new rooms to suit the modern tastes of this group. The room upstairs welcomes students with its vibrant purple walls and deco art. This study center also features leather furniture, rumored to be among Italy’s finest. And the oh-so-popular Starbooks greets students with a mod vibe of European flair. The brilliant lighting and the sleek lines of the furniture and photographs offset the dark, almost smoky atmosphere.

The main place to be is what we social experts refer to as “the tables,” which is the area of table upstairs next to the staircase. The Junior Prep guys, who usually intimidate others from the Solarium, are pleasantly open to newcomers in their fave place. Contrary to popular belief, they do actually talk to girls. They may be a little shy at first, but in the comfort of the library these guys aren’t afraid to let you know that they can groove. A couple of these debonair dudes are still single too…

Unfortunately, people still refer to the library as a place to study. As if! You may not be able to snag that cute sweater or latest video game that you wanted from the mall, but you may end up snagging that cute girl or guy that you’ve had your eye on. So the next time you and your friends are looking for something to do on a Friday night, why not try MLC’s ultimate hangout? You never know what a night spent in the MLC library has in store for you until you come and check it out (no pun intended).

A few Dos and Don’ts of the library:
1. Do go to the library to hang out. Don’t go to library to study.
2. Do go to the library as much as possible. Don’t go Thursday nights from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
3. Do bring all your friends, especially if they’re single. Don’t bring your significant other (library dates are a no-no).
4. Do go to the library expecting to have a good time. Don’t go to the library expecting to get any homework done.
5. Do admire the artwork. Don’t stare too long at that picture of a woman and her child on the wall upstairs, next to the bathrooms…weird.

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