Why comedy events work in libraries

I've spent the past few years running comedy workshops, comedy shows, science communication events and other activities in libraries across Australia.

Before I started doing this work, I had an outdated idea about libraries - I didn’t realise how dynamic and packed full of events they are.

They're running workshops, talks, performances and community events. And I've found myself working with libraries that are looking for fun and unusual ways to get people through the door, connect with their community and get them interested in learning something new.

On The Science of Being Funny, I spoke with Ellen Worgan, Senior Coordinator of Library Programs and Marketing at City of Ryde Libraries. Ellen recently booked one of my Future Science Talks comedy shows for National Science Week.

We talked about what comedy and entertainment can bring to libraries, and why making something enjoyable can help people engage with learning.

Comedy gets people through the door

One of the things I like about running events in libraries is that the audience can be very diverse. And comedy gives them a great reason to come along and learn about something new.

For National Science Week, City of Ryde Libraries wanted to run something for adults, which is where Future Science Talks: Comedy Edition came in.

We had three speakers give science comedy talks, followed by a 45-minute Q&A.

Ellen told me that novelty and the unexpected can be a major drawcard when they're trying to get people to attend library events.

I think that's one of the strengths of comedy.

Someone who doesn't think of themselves as interested in science might never book a ticket to a science talk. But a science comedy show makes a different promise.

They can come because it sounds fun, and then discover they're actually interested in the science as well.

Comedy can make learning more engaging

I've seen this across the events and workshops I run through both Sydney Comedy School and Future Science Talks.

Ellen started her career as a high school science teacher and made a point during our conversation that I particularly liked.

She said high school students are unforgiving with their attention. If what you're saying isn't engaging, they'll stop listening.

Adults are the same - but we’ve learned to be more polite about it, so it’s sometimes not as obvious that an audience is checked out.

Humour can help us capture attention, establish rapport and make people more interested in what comes next.

That doesn't mean everything needs to be funny.

When I'm running comedy or communication workshops and shows, the trick is to know when comedy is helpful, and when it isn’t.

And to do this, I have to know what I’m trying to achieve and whether humour can help me achieve it.

Comedy can get people participating

I saw this particularly clearly at our National Science Week event at Ryde Library.

We had three speakers (including me!) presenting science in very different ways, using comedy to make their research entertaining and accessible.

Afterwards, we opened the floor to questions.

The Q&A ended up lasting about as long as the talks themselves.

People kept asking questions and didn't want the event to finish. Ellen told me that's one of her strongest indicators that an event has worked.

For me, that's a much more interesting outcome than simply getting laughs.

The comedy helped create an environment where the audience felt comfortable participating.

I've seen the same thing in comedy workshops. People can arrive nervous about what they've signed up for. Then they start laughing with each other, become more comfortable taking risks and very quickly go from watching to participating.

What can comedy bring to a library?

The more work I've done with libraries, the more I've realised how naturally comedy fits what many of them are trying to achieve.

I've run comedy workshops where people learn something new by getting up and participating. I've run science comedy events that introduce audiences to research they might never normally encounter. And I've seen humour turn a room of strangers into a much more relaxed and engaged group.

The objective isn't necessarily to turn people into comedians.

Comedy can be the thing that gets people through the door, gets them participating and gets them interested in learning something new.

People might come because something sounds fun.

And hopefully they leave having laughed, connected with other people and discovered something they didn't know before.

Useful links

Listen to The Science of Being Funny: Spotify episode link

Learn comedy with Sydney Comedy School: Sydney Comedy School

Learn more about Future Science Talks: Future Science Talks

Explore City of Ryde Libraries: City of Ryde Libraries