WILKES-BARRE, Pa. — For 2024, the Osterhout Free Library on South Franklin Street in Wilkes-Barre hopes to work on promoting everything it has to offer.
"Realizing that we're so much more than books, we have our library of things, and we have tons of in-person programs coming up that we're really excited about this year," said Michelle Riley, the Osterhout development director.
If your New Year's resolution has to do with learning about a new topic or skill or reading more, this library has a new incentivized reading program to help give you an extra push.
"Just started today is our adult winter reading program. So, any book you check out or from our cloud library, so e-books, audiobooks, or regular paperback books are included in this winter reading program. You can enter two entries a week with what you read, and you can you'll be entered into winning a $100 Visa gift card," explained Riley.
Maybe your mental fitness goals for 2024 don't include expanding the knowledge inside your mind but instead improving your mental health. The library also has resources for that.
"As part of our collection, we have different self-help books, workbooks, and different things you can check out. We just encourage you to explore our collection and see what we have to offer," added Riley.
Even if the topic you seek help with this new year is not something you are comfortable discussing with a librarian, there is a "tough topics" chart in the library to help you find what you need.
There are also programs at the library, such as the device tour, that can help you learn how to use your devices from home to access resources at the library remotely.
"Where you can take tests for career prep, examination, prep, LSAT, prep-type things, and all sorts of different databases that we'd be here to support you," said Riley.
So, no matter the mental support or challenge you are looking for this new year, a library may be a good place to start.