Any South Islanders who were looking at being lonesome on Valentines Day this Sunday can ease their sorrows by finding solace in council-provided company.

While the local authority body is usually more likely to take care of your household rubbish than emotional baggage, this year Queenstown Lakes District residents are in for a romantic treat.

“With Valentine’s Day looming Queenstown librarians have seized on a ‘novel’ idea to keep the lonely hearts club at bay,” sang a press release that landed in Private Bin’s inbox.

By visiting the Queenstown library, cardholders can select a mystery blind date book that will be wrapped to withhold its identity until Valentine’s Day.

“Like any date, there’s an element of risk. We want to hear if the books were enjoyed by the readers as much as the librarians,’ she said.

Those heading out with a blind date would be invited share the experience.

“We are hoping people might send us a review that can range from one word to as many comments as people might choose to make,” Queenstown library manager Robyn Robertson said.

The books were “bound to” contain some romance, she added.

Oo-er!