“To do” lists definitely can be daunting and, if you’re like most people, you might be inclined to procrastinate when it comes to checking off some of the items. Here’s a tip: those “to-do’s” need not be quite as scary if you turn to the library for help. How can this be? Well, if education or learning a new skill is part of your 2015 list, you might be wary if there are hefty tuition fees attached to that goal. But if you turn to the library for education and new skills the tuition fees are $0. We offer high quality courses through two online sources: GaleCourses and Microsoft IT Academy. GaleCourses are instructor-led and the subjects range widely with topics like “Luscious, Low-Fat, Lightning-Quick Meals” and “Mastering Your Digital SLR Camera” to “Adobe Illustrator,” “Creating WordPress Websites,” and “Spanish for Medical Professionals.” There are hundreds of courses to choose from. With Microsoft IT Academy you can take your Microsoft knowledge up several notches and prepare for certification. All you need is a library card and an internet connection to take these courses.

If in-person learning is more your style then you’ll want to check out the extensive list of programs and classes we are offering at the libraries each month. For instance, Girls Rock Lab and Pixel Playground (part of a collaboration with INK ArtSpace) are great workshops for kids and teens (ages 8-18). Girls Rock Lab is a four-week series at the Hillyard Library starting Tuesday, January 6. It includes an intro to the guitar, drums, and singing/songwriting, all in a collaborative, supportive environment where no previous experience is required. Pixel Playground at the Downtown Library, also a 4-week series, allows young people (ages 8-18) the space, computers and professional guidance to explore possibilities in digital arts. Both workshops promise to be a lot of fun. For these you’ll want to pre-register; they’re filling up fast so you’ll want to hurry or look for more workshops with them in the next few months.

If your “to-do” list includes self-help then definitely check both the Dewey and the Five Magazines articles below for some creative ways toward self-improvement in the new year. Whatever you want for your new year we bet the library can help you get there. Try us; chat with our staff about your 2015 goals. We bet there’s a way that the library might be able to assist. Stop by one of our information desks, call or email us.

Dewey is ringing in the New Year with that self-castigating, time-honored tradition of setting New Year’s Resolutions. After reading a few articles about resolutions, it is apparent most people want to improve in similar fashion: eat better, stress less, exercise more and finally get around to that long abandoned goal (writing a manuscript, finishing the basement or starting your own marmot touring company). Because there are myriad resolutions out there, we broadened our horizons from weight loss, less stress and more money to a general goal of overall betterment. In Dewey speak, that’s 158.1: Personal Improvement and Analysis.

Titles in this section either sound like an Oprah show topic (in fact, here she is Dream Big! O’s Guide to Discovering your Best Life) or a James Bond movie  (Never Say Never or Quantum Wellness). But Oprah was very successful for a reason, so why not read up a bit on her ideas, and 007 is, well, 007 so of course people would be drawn to titles with a bit of arrogant swagger. Speaking of arrogance, why not take a look at Thought Revolution: How to Unlock your Inner Genius by William Donius. Donius doesn’t mess around. No paltry inner smarts or inner aptitude, he went straight for genius. It is a whole new year, so why not shoot for the stars? You’ll find a lot of grandiose ideas in 158.1. Titles contain words like “miracles” (May Cause Miracles: a 40 day Guidebook of Subtle Shifts for Radical Change and Unlimited Happiness), “transform” (Small Move, Big Change: using Mircroresolutions to Transform Your Life Permanently) and “positivity” (Positivity). Miriam-Webster was consulted, and yes, “positivity” is a real word and not something made up by an author who has unlocked her inner genius. There are also some more realistic titles for people whose resolutions may be tempered by experience (as in, I’ve vowed to lose 25 pounds every year for 20 years) like, It’s Never too Late or Start Where You Are. This may be the most fantastic title of all in 158.1: How to Read How to and Self Help Books because, really, we all have to start somewhere.

Hopefully you all know the drill by now that you can download five songs a week with your library card. They don’t expire and they’re yours to keep. I was thinking of sharing five songs that are great to exercise to since there are probably numerous New Year’s resolutions involving exercise (see Dewey article above) but exercise music is truly dependent on people’s personal tastes and the type of exercise they do.

So, how about five magazines. And, this is a great time to check out Zinio, our online magazine provider, since they’ve just updated their app so that you get an email when new issues of the magazines you download are available. And, unlike Freegal, your magazine downloads are just about unlimited. There are about 100 magazines to choose from, covering a wide variety of subjects and tastes. Like Freegal, once you download them they stay on your computer, phone or tablet until you delete them (they don’t expire). You get the whole magazine and flipping through it feels like flipping through an actual magazine (minus the annoying perfume samples). You can even check out back issues.

Here are some to assist with your New Year’s resolutions or to avoid your resolutions. If your resolution involves a marathon or half-marathon or maybe just making it around the block you could check out the January issue of Runner’s world which include the 2015 marathon guide. If you’re looking for something challenging but calming then maybe Yoga Journal is a better choice. Or if you’re determined to get healthy this year you could review Prevention magazine with tons of stories and tips for a healthier you.

If your New Year’s resolution is to push your writing to the next level then The Writer just might be the extra nudge that pushes the writer’s block out of the way. For the honest souls out there that are really just avoiding New Year’s resolutions perhaps Us Weekly is the magazine for them. It can be quite the diversion. There are tons more to choose from so check out Zinio. If you need help getting set up then come to one of our Digital Drop-ins or Tech Skills Tutors sessions where we have experts on hand to help you jump the digital hurdles.