We are a now little bit into the new year and many of us have set goals and resolutions because we want to become the best versions of ourselves. Not because we are doing something wrong, but because we know there is always room to learn and improve. Whether your goal is to be healthier, try something new, save money, or focus on personal growth, the library offers a wide range of free resources to support you along the way. Below are some common New Year’s resolutions with related library books and services that can help you achieve your goals. Meaningful change starts from within. Good luck on your journey!
Exercise & Health
Running - a list of books to help inspire and learn about running.
Learn a New Hobby
Below are a variety of resources and spaces offered by the library that anyone can use to start a new hobby:
- The Lab: Makerspace + Studio - The Lab is a free, creative space that provides library patrons with access to technology, training, and resources to inspire creativity, entrepreneurship, design, play, mentorship, and collaboration. Examples of hobbies range from starting a podcast to 3D printing. (Available to ages 8+, depending on equipment.)
- The Shop: Build-Connect-Discover – This space is a free, community creative space next to the South Novato Library where people of all ages can create and learn, with access to tools, activities, and helpful staff. Examples of hobbies to learn range from sewing, bike maintenance, woodworking, and more.
- Craft Kits – Check out a craft kit from the Corte Madera Library to start learning hand sewing, crochet & knitting, embroidery, quilting or jewelry making.
- Cooking – Check out some award-winning cookbooks and start to learn how to cook unique dishes or perfect old ones. Here is a list of New York Times Best Cookbooks of the Year 2025. You can also do a subject search for ‘baking’ or ‘cooking’ to view hundreds of books.
Learn a Language
- Mango Languages - A free online language learning program available as an app to learn conversation skills in many languages.
- Liñgöpie - Online language learning platform that helps build fluency through real TV shows and movies in a variety of languages.
- LOTE4Kids Digital Audio Picturebooks - LOTE4Kids is a library online resource offering 3,000+ digital picture books with audio and text in 65+ languages, allowing children to enjoy and build literacy through multilingual stories at home, with English translations and narration available.
Personal Growth & Mental Health
Self-Help and Personal Growth Success - a staff-created book list
Save Money
Beyond books on investing, saving money, or being thrifty, the library helps you save money by providing free access to many great resources.
- Magazines & Newspapers - Your library card gives you access to a variety of magazine publications for checkout both physically and electronically. Newspapers such as the New York Times, Washington Post, Marin Independent Journal, and the San Francisco Chronicle can be viewed in person at a library or accessed online for free. Although some of the newspapers give you a code/pass for only 72 hours, you can immediately access a new code/pass and continue reading. Ask library staff for more information.
- Audiobooks & eBooks - If you spend money on audiobooks or Kindle eBooks, then the library offers a great way to enjoy these materials without cost. Whether you read or listen from your computer, through Hoopla, or the Libby app on your phone, the library has thousands of audiobooks and eBooks to use for free! Popular items do have waitlists, so place your holds now.
-
Streaming – the library has several free streaming options.
- Kanopy - Kanopy offers instant access with no waitlists using a flexible monthly ticket system, unlimited Kanopy Kids viewing, and support across mobile and TV apps.
- Estante Infinito - This Spanish-language streaming platform offers instant access with no waitlists, allowing patrons to use up to 99 daily tickets, one per viewing, across iOS, Android, and Chromecast devices.
- Hoopla - This service offers no waitlists, allows up to 8 film checkouts per month with most available for 3 days, and supports viewing on a wide range of mobile and TV devices.
Whichever path you choose to explore, the library is here for you!
Contributed by Dan Oleson-Wheeler
Add a comment to: A New Year Brings New Opportunities