Like socializing, but not too much? This serene spot's got you covered on the Space Coast.
After hearing what was planned for the empty, recently renovated two-story riverfront building on the Cocoa property, the 66-year-old Cocoa resident was all in.
What was originally built as a kit home for the Travis family in 1925 at 219 Indian River Drive, the library's River House has reopened with a powerful purpose – to provide a smaller social space to meet others and take part in various activities without the larger, busier library crowds. Recently renovated, even the walls and ceilings are unique, slightly reminiscent of a baked good topped with fluffy, pointed white whipped cream and lovely hardwood flooring.
'It's a comfortable, homey atmosphere where you can meet new people – without having to clean your own house before guests get there,' Raby jested.
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Raby's a fan of the adult Dungeons and Dragons games offered through the central Brevard County Library, one of many new programs offered at the River House. Plus, he considers this smaller venue 'a safe place to meet new people as well.'
That's exactly what the people behind the programming want to hear, especially on the heels of growing studies that show loneliness has become an American epidemic.
'We realized we have the perfect space to do something that was really in line with what's needed right now,' said Michael Boonstra, training coordinator for Brevard County Library Services. 'That's kind of how we got here.'
With a slow rollout that began in late January, library officials have begun new programs, with a goal of serving residents in more individualized ways. (See what's offered at brevardfl.gov/PublicLibraries/LibraryCalendar, and choose the 'River House' location option.) The purpose is to generate a sense of belonging by connecting residents with other community members in a low-tech, no-pressure zone. Programs include:
Sensory playtime
Youth drum circle
Silent Book Club for adults
Fiber Art Fridays; one for kids, another for adults
An adult Dungeons and Dragons Club
'You have this beautiful view, so it provides a space that feels more like going to a friend's house rather than going to your public library or government building,' explained Gregory St. Leon, library assistant and River House program coordinator.
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Recently, St. Leon was opening up the site and watched as playful dolphins swam past in the river.
'Little things like that just add to the atmosphere,' he said.
Text as seen on Brevard How this app can help you:∎Borrow your items directly with self-checkout∎Place item holds on the go∎Search for items with text or barcode∎Receive account and due date notifications∎Find your closest Brevard County Library∎Find events and programs at your library∎Access digital content while you're on the go, including books, databases, and learning resources like LinkedIn LearningBCL Go is supported by both Android and Apple, and can be found in the Google Play store and the App Store. All you need to log in is your library card number and your last name!
Check out this short how-to video
Loneliness had been on the rise, with some experts coining it an 'epidemic.'
Enter the COVID-19 pandemic. People became isolated. Add in the uncertainty and fear as everything seemingly changed so much in how people lived their everyday lives.
Studies began rolling out, and loneliness had a starring role.
As the COVID-19 emergency wound down, a new advisory warned that loneliness had become a new public health emergency. A February 2024 Library Journal news story cited Cigna Group research that found 58% of Americans 'are considered lonely." Those most at risk included people with lower incomes and adults 18 to 24, which showed that age range was double those of people 55 and up.
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Loneliness is so much more than just feeling down in the dumps. It can affect physical and mental health, too. Check out these figures from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Turns out, inadequate or poor social connections can put people at serious risk for different diseases:
Increase the risk of heart disease by 29%
Up the chances of stroke by 32%
Add a 50% increased risk of developing dementia for older adults
A 60% increased risk for premature death
Given the potential health dangers for the lonely, something sparked for the River House team.
To this library crew, it became crystal clear – offering free services in a quaint, homey-type atmosphere would align with the needs of so many.
St. Leon was tasked with applying for a grant under the Northeast Florida Library Information Network (NEFLIN) via its Innovation Project program, which awarded Brevard County Libraries $7,149.14 to support the River House's programs. While the money isn't in-house yet, there were ways to jumpstart River House with some no- or low-cost options, such as the Adult Silent Book Club.
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The book club is offered from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Thursdays, giving readers a stunning view of the Indian River to glance up at every so often while silently reading a book of their choice alongside others who just want to be around others – with no pressure to talk while reading. At 11 a.m., book review chats and recommendations are optional. Plus, on the last Thursday of the month (and even some special occasions), Space Coast Therapy Dogs get to hang with these booklovers. (And bonus! Coffee and tea are offered.)
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While events held in the main library were a hit, they tended to be larger. And that just doesn't work with everyone.
'We were having a need for something smaller,' Boonstra said. 'There were people that felt overwhelmed in those situations, or the kids that maybe have sensory issues and things like that ... that wasn't the best fit for them.'
Opening in late January, programs have been launched slowly with intention.
'The buildup has been nice, so we can kind of get our bearings,' St. Leon said. 'See what works, see what doesn't.'
The River House has programs for all ages. Look at an example of the offering for the week of Feb. 24, 2025:
Monday, Feb. 24, at 10 a.m.: Sensory play time for babies and toddlers
Monday, Feb. 24, at 11 a.m.: Sensory play time for preschoolers
Thursday, Feb. 27, at 10 a.m.: Adult Silent Book Club
Friday, Feb. 28, at 1 p.m.: Adult Fiber Arts Fridays
Friday, Feb. 28, at 2:30 p.m.: Youth Fiber Arts Fridays
Staff is gradually building additional programs. Such as a youth drum circle on Tuesdays, which provides kids with drums and percussions, giving them a chance to make music.
'I'll bring our guitar and play some kids songs,' St. Leon said. 'A lot of the kids, through simple songs, simple beats … they just love to shake the tambourine or bang the drum. So, kind of letting them go a little wild with their imagination is very healthy.'
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Borrowing from the kids' Dungeons and Dragons clubs, there's one for adults – another loneliness-busting experience.
'It gives the adults an opportunity to play,' said Laura Eastman Hawthorne, Library II Lead and supervisor of the River House.
And don't think of the Fiber Arts club as just a place to randomly knit crafts.
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'I've noticed that the people who do come to the adult one, they just want a space to bounce ideas off of,' St. Leon said. 'We'll just talk and make art together.'
Plus, participants can produce some things out of the program that will be helpful to the community, such as blankets, hats and scarves for those who need it during Brevard's colder weather.
'We're going to implement more community-based programming, such as a community garden,' said Eastman Hawthorne, adding these will be done in huge tubs, not in the actual soil of the property. '(Gardening) will be huge for all ages, a way to bring them together and produce something as a community.'
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Some of the other ideas include possibly an open mic for artists, poets and musicians of all ages.
'Kind of all these things,' Eastman Hawthorne said, 'combating that loneliness epidemic.'
Community ideas are welcome, too! While renting out the River House is not an option – nor are meetings – those behind the programming want to hear them!
'Our ukulele program was all the direct result of a gentleman from Merritt Island who saw the program … in Hawaii, and he wanted our libraries to have ukuleles,' said Wendy Jo Bost, library services director in Cocoa.
More: "Why? Why did you bring me back?" Addiction nearly killed them. They vowed to get sober.
If you are interested in the River House and have an idea for a new program, give Eastman Hawthorne a call at (321) 633-1792 or shoot her an email at lhawthorne@brev.org.
You never know. Your idea pitch may just turn into the next big thing at the River House.
This reporting is supported by a Journalism Funding Partners grant. Mental Health Reporter Sara Paulson can be reached at spaulson@floridatoday.com.
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Cocoa library's River House the spot to socialize, on smaller scale
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