its a shame its so much easier for kids to join a club
Joining my first chess club...
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It's extremely easy to join a club no matter what your age is. The step from online to OTB chess is so good for your improvement. Congratulations! My only advice would be to play the strongest players the club has to offer at the slowest time controls they are willing to play, and analyze the game with them after.
Thanks :) From the sounds of things there are some strong players there, so this will be a great learning experience and a good group to hop into.
You will probably meet the whole gamut of humanity - some will be very welcoming, others will be stand-offish (dare I even say introverted to the max?).
Some will be willing to analyze afterwards, some will look at you with derision.
Some will want to play nothing but 10 minutes games, others will not want to use a clock at all.
Some will be more than happy to play you, other may may only be willing to play once you have "proven" yourself worthy.
Just remember to have fun and not let any of them turn you off on going back. It may take a while before you are "accepted".
Oh, and there may be some strong players there, there may not be. The "strong" players may not show until later in the evening, they may only show on the 1st and 3rd meeting of the month, etc.
Thanks Rsava, that was helpful 
I'm optimistic for the group, because apparently they participate in state tournaments, and the leader of the group has been state champion twice. His wife belongs to the group as well and was the one who responded to my Craigslist post where I was asking if there were any locals wanting to meet and play, so when she told me there was a chess club here, that was good news to my ears! Previous Google searches revealed only one other club locally, but their's is a 60 mile drive... so not as "local" as I was looking for. This one is only 15 miles away 
Also encouraging is how helpful the wife of the club leader has been to me (including saying I was making the right choice in buying the board set that I did), and telling me that the leader would be happy to meet me anytime during the week for games. They sound like a helpful bunch... I just don't wanna stumble in like Mr. Newbie, ya know?
Joining my first chess club... a little bit anxious about it. Anyone have any advice for a novice that doesn't really know what to expect in such a setting?
I bought a set that I had my eye on for a while, even before I came across the club. http://www.chesshouse.com/Heavy_Club_Chess_Set_Combo_p/c210.htm I was going to get it anyway, but when I was told it'd work for the club I'm joining... well, out pops the credit card.