By Emma Rose

Rowan Public Library

Have you made any resolutions for the New Year? Some of the most common resolutions to make — and some of the easiest to break — include losing weight/becoming healthier, learning new skills, saving money/becoming debt-free and traveling more.

I was more successful keeping my 2016 New Year’s resolutions because of the resources I was able to access through Rowan Public Library. My 2016 resolutions included losing weight, learning to better budget my income and volunteering more often.

In 2017, I would like to maintain last year’s improvements while adding some new resolutions to the mix. In 2017, I resolve to travel more, take more Gale courses, and learn the skill of properly riding my unicycle, lovingly named Burney.

Gale courses are a great way to keep you on track with your resolutions. Gale courses through RPL are free, instructor-led, online classes on a variety of fascinating topics. Any patron with a valid email address and a RPL library card in good standing can sign up and easily enroll.

Classes are offered monthly and last about six weeks, though students can study, complete assignments and submit quizzes on their own time and at their own pace. The next enrollment dates for the Gale courses are Jan. 18 and Feb. 15.

It’s important to note that students will be automatically dropped from a course in which they are enrolled if they do not access lessons one and two within 13 days after the course’s start date. This means that if you miss an enrollment day, you still have nearly two weeks to begin the course at your leisure. Students who are dropped from a course will be able to enroll in the same course or other courses during a later session without penalty.

Losing weight/becoming healthier

Helpful books to assist with your health goals can be found in multiple places within RPL’s nonfiction collection. Find healthy recipes and cookbooks in section 641. Check out books and DVDs for weight loss tips and workout routines in section 613. Keep your mind healthy with items on relaxation and meditation in section 158.

Here are some of the Gale courses to help with these resolutions:

• “Introduction to Natural Health and Healing” – Learn how to promote wellness, balance and health in all aspects of your daily life.
• “Luscious, Low-Fat, Lightning-Quick Meals” – Join a registered dietitian and discover how easy it can be to prepare meals that are both delicious and nutritious.
• “Lose Weight and Keep It Off” – Discover how to establish a healthy approach to successful weight loss and weight maintenance for a lifetime.

Learning a new skill

Gale courses teach a variety of new skills, including playing guitar, conducting genealogy research, developing comedic techniques, drawing, using various computer programs, journaling and more.

One of the best skills to practice in 2017 is making great decisions because practicing the art of good decision making helps us keep our other resolutions. Some of the numerous Gale courses to help individuals learn and develop new skills include:

• “Skills for Making Great Decisions” – Learn how to make excellent everyday decisions from an experienced counselor and life coach.
• “Learn Something New: Genealogy Basics” – Learn where to look, who to contact, and how to use research tools to begin an exciting and fascinating exploration of your roots.
• “How to Get Started in Game Development” – Take steps toward a new career in game development by building a foundation to design games in a wide variety of genres for different audiences and platforms.

Getting Out of Debt and Saving Money

Money management can be an overwhelming task but with Gale courses, maintaining a successful budget is feasible and can be incredibly informative. I took the Gale course “Where Does All My Money Go?” in the spring of 2016. It was remarkably helpful, and I was able to answer the question confidently so that I could move forward to further improve my financial situation. (Also, the answer was pizza. Pizza is where all of my money was going, apparently.)

Hone your financial know-how with the following Gale courses:

• “Personal Finance” – Protect your assets and discover how best to achieve all your financial goals.
• “Where Does All My Money Go?” – Learn how to get control of your money once and for all.
• “Keys to Successful Money Management” – Certified financial planner shows you how most wealthy people build their fortunes.

Traveling to New Places

            Learn about the places you would like to visit by checking out some geography and travel books and documentaries available physically or electronically through RPL.

When traveling, don’t forget to take lots of pictures and write about your experiences. Gale courses that teach the art of traveling well include:

• “Travel Writing” – Profit from your experiences in exotic lands (or your own backyard) by learning how to write and sell travel articles and books.
• “Travel Photography for the Digital Photographer” – Learn the tricks and techniques digital photographers need to capture scenes from around the world and bring them home.

Good luck with all of your resolutions for 2017, and if you feel yourself slipping, visit our website or your nearest branch of Rowan Public Library for some great resources and positive reinforcement.

Chapter Chats Book Club: A weekly club for teens 14-17, primarily for participants with developmental or intellectual disabilities, but all are welcome. Meets at East branch meeting room, Tuesdays, 5 p.m., Jan. 10. For more information, contact Tammie Foster at 704-216-7842.

Anime Club: Teens and college-age adults (21 and under) may watch anime and engage in Japanese-themed crafts and games. Headquarters, Feb. 7, 4:30 p.m.

Teen Advisory Board: Teens who join this board provide input on RPL’s teen programming and book selection and discuss current events and issues of interest. Members can count their hours of participation toward school community service requirements. East, Jan. 9 and Feb. 13, 6:30 p.m.; headquarters, Jan. 24 and Feb. 28, 4:30 p.m.; South, Feb. 2, 4:30 p.m.

Teen program: Join us each month as teens play games, make crafts and do activities related to a specific theme. January is game night, February is the Chocolate Festival, and March is the MuV Chat. Headquarters, Jan. 17 and Feb. 21, 4:30 p.m.; East, Jan. 23 and Feb. 27, 6:30 p.m.; South, Jan. 20 and Feb. 16, 4:30 p.m.

“Dr. Who” Days — Travel through time and space with screenings of the classic BBC program, “Dr. Who.” Families are invited. Headquarters, Jan. 10 and Feb. 14, 4:30 p.m.

Movie night at East: “Blue Hawaii,” Jan. 9, 5 p.m., East branch. Celebrate Elvis Presley’s birthday with one of his classic films. This 1961, PG film has a runtime of 101 minutes. Light refreshments  served. This event is free, open to the public, and all ages are welcome.

Beginning genealogy class: Jan. 14, 10 a.m.-noon, headquarters. An introduction to genealogy. This event, co-hosted by the Genealogical Society of Rowan County and the History Room of RPL, is free and open to the public. Staff will provide an overview of essential records like census records, marriage records and death certificates as well as some of the best genealogy websites and databases.

 Displays: Headquarters, West Rowan High School student art classes and Lee Street theatre; East, cross stitch; South, South Rowan High School student artwork.

Literacy: Call the Rowan County Literacy Council at 704-216-8266 for more information on teaching or receiving literacy tutoring for English speakers or for those for whom English is a second language.