As I’m writing this, the first big snowstorm of the season is heading our way. I’d be lying if I said I wasn't looking forward to it. After all, a snowstorm is a perfect excuse to curl up with a cup of tea and a good book!
But it’s not all cozy winter reading over here. A new year means planning for new and exciting things at the library. With that in mind, this month’s post is going to be a little different. Instead of reflecting, I’m looking ahead and setting some resolutions for myself as a library user.
Use More Library Resources
As a staff member at the library, I like to think I’m well versed in all of the resources the library has to offer. And while it’s true I can tell you what these resources are, I don’t always have first hand experience using them. I’ve written about using CreativeBug and I spent some time learning about video production from LinkedIn Learning last month (check out our YouTube channel for a new video series!). But there is so much more to explore.
This might not be the year that I learn a new language, but it could be the year that I try to with the help of Mango. I’ll also try out more items from the Library of Things and explore beyond the library’s walls with the help of museum passes. The possibilities are almost endless!
Be Mindful of How Many Items I Check Out at a Time
I know I’m not the only one finding myself juggling a few too many checkouts from time to time. It happens to the best of us: you place holds on a few interesting sounding titles, assuming that other patrons will want to read them, too. One hold will come in and you’ll finish it well in advance of the next one. But what really happens is two, or three, or four holds come in all at once. How can you manage to read all of them!?
This is where suspending holds is extremely useful. When you suspend a hold, you keep your place in line but let us know that you don’t want your item before a certain date. If you aren’t already suspending your holds - something I need to be better about - follow the steps below to try it out.
Open the library catalog
Click My Account in the menu bar at the top of your screen.
Log in, if prompted.
Navigate to the Holds tab, then expand the Digital Holds or Library Holds section. (Some digital titles do not support suspending holds.)
Select the hold you want to suspend.
Click Suspend Hold(s).
Provide the dates on which you want to begin and end your hold suspension.
Click Suspend.
Note: If no end date is provided, the hold will remain suspended until the suspension is manually removed.
(The instructions above are borrowed from the library catalog’s help page. Check out the help page for more tips and tricks on searching the catalog, creating lists, and more.)
Participate in More Library Programs and Events
Have you looked at our events calendar recently? In addition to our regular storytimes, book clubs, and craft groups, we offer a variety of exciting events for all ages. And beyond that, we offer special programs throughout the year, like Winter BINGO!
This year I hope to enjoy more of the library’s programs as an attendee instead of as an event facilitator. So you may see me at a concert in the garden or an author talk. If you do, don’t be a stranger! I’d love to say hi and hear your own round up about what you’ve been reading or watching or learning lately.
Do you have any library related resolutions this year? If you do, I’d love to hear about them in the comments below!