Westerly Sun Column | The Library Has Resources to Help Reach Your Goals for the New Year

January is here, and a brand new year lies ahead, full of possibilities! Whether you have a detailed list of your top 5 resolutions, or simply hope for health and happiness in 2026, I have a little tip for you: reach into your wallet, grab that Ocean State Libraries card, and head over to the library (or library website)…you’ll find a slew of free resources to help you reach your goals this year.

First of all, if you don’t have a library card, now is the time! If you are a Westerly or Pawcatuck resident, you can sign up for a free card here at the library, which will give you access to books and resources throughout the state of Rhode Island. All you need is an ID with proof of address, and a few free minutes. Once you have that card in hand, you can take advantage of all of the offerings in the library, as well as our digital collections of books and movies.

A common resolution I hear is that people want to commit more time to reading (and less to doom-scrolling) in the New Year. At the library, as you can imagine, we support this! Throughout the building, you’ll find book displays to help you choose a book, including our popular Staff Picks display on the first floor, and themed displays with mysteries, nonfiction, and even steamy romance novels. If have a specific title in mind, we can help you find it on the shelves, or order it from another library. As mentioned, we have access to a huge collection of eBooks and eAudiobooks through our Libby and Hoopla apps, as well, so you never have to be without a new book to read!

This year, we’re also offering a bit of extra motivation to kick of your reading goals. Beginning today, and ending at the end of January, we’re running an Adult Winter Reading Challenge. You can sign up in the library or through the Beanstack app, and every title you read and submit this month will give you a chance to win a gift certificate to a local restaurant or business. We’ll draw a name each Saturday, so there are numerous opportunities to win…you just have to start reading!

If you have other resolutions in mind, your library card is still a valuable tool. Want to learn a new language? Log into the Mango Languages app, or check out a language learning book from the collection. Interested in saving money? Take a look at the money management books, or cancel some of your expensive subscriptions and take more advantage of the free books, movies, music, TV shows, and programs at the library. Want to meet new people? Join one of your monthly meetups, like the Cookbook Club, Silent Book Club, Chess Club, or one of the fiber arts groups that meet here. That are endless opportunities and possibilities! We wish you a happy and healthy New Year, and hope to see you in soon!There are, of course, many, many more, but not enough room to name them here. Head to our website for our full list of recommendations, or check out our Staff Picks display on the first floor for a year-round, rotating collection of our favorite items in the library!

by Cassie Skobrak, Adult Services Librarian