Serving Up Wisdom was launched in early 2024 with the hope of reinvigorating in-person daytime programming post-pandemic. Many of our daytime offerings at that time were still online or hybrid. With this series, we were looking to re-establish in-person programming at our Central Library, and generate a community of daytime programming attendees. Many older adults still felt a sense of trepidation re-entering public spaces. It was one of our primary goals of this series to build relationships and community within our older adult population to combat loneliness and the sense of isolation created during the pandemic, as well as to provide high-quality educational and cultural programming, and to connect adults to the many resources offered at the Pratt including digital navigators, social workers, a highly regarded author series, a summer break program that features free books for adults and children, and more.

These Serving Up Wisdom luncheon programs are intended to provide a dynamic and engaging afternoon at the library. They are comprised of multiple components, such as a lecture or performance, access to curated library resources/materials with librarians/subject experts pitching in, and hands-on activities such as a craft or reflective workshop, all concluding with a free meal. Dynamic presenters and performers with rich academic and artistic backgrounds lead these programs. Serving Up Wisdom is beneficial to both attendees and presenters, creating knowledge, connection, community, and opportunity. Presenters have included National Edgar Allan Poe Theatre, Museum of Negro Leagues Baseball, Dance & Bmore's Elder Ensemble, and Johns Hopkins Alzheimer's Disease Research Center. We also offer the “Storied Silvers” Book Discussion facilitated by two peer librarians who curate materials that align with the overarching theme of the program.

From the initial pilot program with 12 attendees in March of 2024, Serving Up Wisdom has continuously grown and thrived and recent offering have had about 100 attendees and are regularly “sold out.” Word continues to spread about the quality of the offerings and a warm and engaged community is forming at the Pratt Library. All told, the program has served more than 1,000 adults since its inception. At every program, we cross-promote library card sign-up and other library programming/services. Many of our patrons self-report already having a library card; however, many “newcomers” also report not having been to the library in quite some time. The content and subject matter of these luncheon programs attracted them and keep them coming back. “I have met so many beautiful people at these events who have provided me resources to other events and information. I have shared my experiences with friends and family and they can’t believe all the things that Baltimore City library offers.”