by Ash B.

Howard County is known to be a great place for raising a family. Between the public school system, parks, and recreational opportunities, there’s a significant draw for folks with school-aged children.  In fact, in recent years, Columbia has been ranked at the top of lists such as “Best Places to Raise a Family” (in 2023 by Wallethub and 2024 by Niche) and “Best Cities for Young Families” (by GOBankingRates in 2024). On the other end of national rankings, Columbia has been dubbed one of the “worst cities for singles” (in 2024 by Wallethub).

This comes as no surprise, especially to a single person in their late twenties such as myself. The family-oriented vibe of HoCo results in fewer social structures tailored towards unmarried, child-free adults. There are bars and breweries in the area, sure, but those aren’t everyone’s vibe – especially for sober folks like myself – and such places typically have a price tag attached.  

Enter… the library!

Our library system’s new mission, per the Strategic Plan, is to be a place for everyone to learn, grow, and connect. With the launch of The Twenty-Something Coworking Club this month, I’m looking to create a space for emerging adults to do just that. 

The term “emerging adult” typically refers to someone in their late teens (18-19) or twenties (sometimes stretching into mid-thirties). The concept of emerging adulthood, as a distinct stage of development, was coined and developed by psychology scholar Dr. Jeffrey Arnett. Emerging adulthood is an “in-between” stage: no longer an adolescent, but not fully feeling like an adult yet (due to a variety of social and economic changes over the past 30+ years).  

Current emerging adults – the youngest of Millenials and the older half of Gen Z – have often graduated high school without being taught essential life skills, like budgeting and meal planning. Economic trends have left many young people underpaid and underemployed from the beginning of their careers. Not to mention the impacts of COVID-19, climate change, and enumerable instances of sociopolitical chaos over the past decade. 

It’s a particularly tough time to be emerging into adulthood. That said, it’s a little easier to navigate when you’re not alone. “Coworking” is simply the act of working in proximity to other people; you’re working separately from each other, but the proximity to another working person improves motivation and focus. This method can be especially helpful for neurodivergent people because of the executive functioning required to start and complete tasks. The term “body doubling,” often used by folks with ADHD, has essentially the same meaning as “coworking,” but with emphasis on completing a boring or difficult task by planning to do it in the presence of another person. 

So, if you (or someone you know) is struggling at all with “adulting” – or just wants to connect with other emerging adults – I hope you’ll stop by the Twenty-Something Coworking Club, which starts on March 25. We meet on the top floor of the Central Branch, every 4th Tuesday, from 6:30 – 8:30 pm in the Central Studio.

Bring whatever you’d like to work on, and anything that helps you focus: your favorite water bottle, headphones, fidget toys, etc. The library and I will provide the space, snacks, hot tea, structured check-ins, and good vibes.

Note: You’re welcome to come and go on your own schedule, but please arrive at 6:30 pm to participate in group introductions. Want an event reminder? Register through our class calendar.

Ash is an Instructor and Research Specialist at HCLS Central Branch with a passion for information literacy and community engagement. They love music, gardening, hiking, and cuddling with their golden retriever.