Tired of making New Year’s Resolutions that don’t work? We understand.
That’s why we have some suggestions that are easy to accomplish, easy on the pocketbook, and even fun.
1. Get a library card. Do you know that if you have a Jefferson Parish Library card, you can also get a free New Orleans Public Library card? Take your card to a New Orleans Public Library, along with a document that shows your current address — water or electricity bill, for example — and you can become the proud carrier of two library cards. This is invaluable if you’re doing research, or tracking down genealogical information. Orleans and Jefferson are the only two parishes in Louisiana that offer this benefit.
2. Learn another language. The library offers two programs to help. Mango is an online language-learning system for English, Spanish, French, Japanese, Brazilian Portuguese, German, Mandarin Chinese, Greek, Italian, Russian and more. Pronunciator helps patrons with 80 languages, and they can practice English as a Second Language or study for the citizenship test.
3. Take a free computer class. The two big regional libraries host more than a dozen computer classes each month, including those that focus on Word, Excel, PowerPoint, basic computer skills, computer security and many more topics. Patrons should sign up online at sww.jplibrary.net to attend a class.
4. Get tech savvy. Krewe de Tech helps people take advantage of everything personal computer technology can do to improve their lives. Whether you have a smartphone, laptop, tablet or desktop with local or cloud storage, this group can help you figure it out.
5. Attend a book signing. More than 120 local authors discuss their books each year at events at the East Bank Regional Library, 4747 W. Napoleon Ave., Metairie.
6. Learn to write a book. The library frequently hosts writers who discuss the craft of writing and publishing. The library’s popular Saturday Writers’ Clinic features two sessions on a variety of issues for new authors.
7. Take a gardening class. The Master Gardeners of Greater New Orleans meet monthly at the East Bank Regional Library, as do the Greater New Orleans Iris Society, the Southeastern Louisiana Daylily Society, and the Old Garden Rose Society. The Old Metairie Library hosts the New Orleans Bromeliad Society and the Camellia Club of New Orleans.
8. Take the kids to story time. Every library in the Jefferson Parish Library system has at least one regular story time, generally for children 7 years of age and younger. Some libraries have several story times. All sessions encourage reading and creativity. Check for times, as they vary with each library.
9. Check out our teen centers. The two regional libraries have teen centers and librarians that focus specifically on the needs of teens, tweens and young adults. Each branch hosts events such as talent shows, Summer Reading Program, Harry Potter events, and ACT practice tests.
10. Join a book club. The East Bank Regional Library hosts the Great Books Discussion Group and the French Literature Discussion Group. The Old Metairie Library hosts the Mystery Book Club. The River Ridge Library hosts the Jefferson Highway Book Club. The Gretna Library hosts the Best Bank Book Club.
11. Look for a job. Brainfuse JobNow provides live interactive online help combined with online resources to guide you through the necessary tasks to get a job, including interview assistance, resume building, and other career resources. Brainfuse VetNow provides information and help for veterans and their families, including career and academic assistance. Live help is available from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Friday.
12. Go to a concert. Musical groups perform at the library each month, including big bands, community bands, quartets and solo acts. In December, nine different bands performed holiday music.
13. Check out Lynda.com from LinkedIn. The Lynda.com online training library is a massive online training resource where patrons are able to learn — self-paced and on-demand — content. Learn business, software, technology and creative skills with online video tutorials taught by recognized industry professionals. Finish a course and receive a certificate of completion that you can download or email to anyone.
14. Get your genealogy search going. Library staff leads family research seminars and speakers come from the New Orleans Public Library and the Genealogical Research Society of New Orleans.
15. Improve your grades with Homework Help, which features a live online tutor, tutoring for K through basic college level, writing center, career center, and adult education center.
16. Do the most basic library function of all — check out a book, movie or music CD. The library has thousands of items from which to choose. There’s something for everyone.
Gloss