Written by Joe Armstrong, Content Specialist, Marketing, Downtown Main Library
With 2021 happily in the past, the new year has arrived! For many of us that means making our new year’s resolutions of the goals we aim to complete in 2022. If you’re still looking for a new year’s resolution, or if you’ve already “paused” your original resolutions (no judgment here!), the Library is where you can start fresh with these ideas for 2022.
Learn a Different Language
Adiós 2021! Bienvenidos 2022! CHPL has the resources to get your language learning started in the new year. Free for all cardholders, Transparent Language Online, opens a new window offers over 100 languages to choose from through its personalized language-learning system. Take your learning to the next level by streaming movies in other languages through Kanopy, opens a new window. With thousands of movies, documentaries, short films, and more to choose from, you’ll be fluent in no time.
If English isn't your first language, the Library provides frequent virtual English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes, opens a new window to practice your speaking and writing skills, no matter what your level.
Explore Your Ancestry
Get to the roots of your family’s heritage and explore your ancestry through CHPL. Discover the history of your family through the Library’s thousands of genealogical records, research databases, opens a new window, and Digital Library, opens a new window.
Make a free 30-minute appointment, opens a new window with the Library’s Genealogy & Local History staff to get research-level resources and services in local history and culture, river history, genealogy, and African American history. Rare and special collections you can’t find anywhere else including the Inland Rivers Library, opens a new window, city and county directories, opens a new window, and African American Society Columns, opens a new window collections are waiting for you at CHPL.
Change Careers or Master a New Skill
Now is a great time to change jobs or master a skill that takes your career to the next level. Chat with expert job coaches through JobNow, opens a new window, learn the latest software or dozens of other skills with LinkedIn Learning, opens a new window, use powerful tools from O’Reilly, opens a new window, and much more.
The Library provides virtual classes, opens a new window on building a résumé, tips on interviewing, and professional communication. Discuss how to achieve your goals with one of our expert librarians by making an appointment, opens a new window with the Adult Learning Center.
Unlock your potential and discover a new career in 2022. All free with a library card.
Meet New Books and People
For many of us, meeting people has gotten a lot harder during the pandemic. One great way to meet new people and new books is through a book club. CHPL branch libraries host several books clubs both in person and virtually. Explore upcoming book club meetings, opens a new window and find one that’s right for you.
If you already have a group of people in mind, start your own book club! The Library offers resources for book clubs, opens a new window to check out multiple copies of the same title with no late fees, and more. You can even explore staff picks, opens a new window created specifically for book clubs with titles sure to kick off a great discussion.
For a more nontraditional book club, CHPL offers a variety of clubs including ESOL Graphic Novel Club, opens a new window, CHPL Drama Club, opens a new window, See the Story Club, opens a new window at the Cincinnati Art Museum, Everyone’s Book Club, opens a new window in partnership with the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati, and more, opens a new window.
Get Ready for College or a Career
For 2022 graduates, your new year’s resolution could be to attend college or begin your career. CHPL is here to help plan for life after school, no matter what you decide. If you’re still trying to make that decision, the Library has resources, opens a new window to explore career paths, events to create a résumé, opens a new window, life skills resources, and more.
Access resources, opens a new window for job training, including information on trade schools, local training for the tech/IT industry, and finding money for certification programs.
If you’re planning to attend college, the Library can help you with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), opens a new window, including live support from experts through Brain Fuse’s Homework HelpNow, opens a new window to make sure you find all the funds available to you.
Reconnect with Favorite Books, Movies, and Music
Let’s face it, 2021 was a tough year. To get this year off to a better start, your new year’s resolution might be to get through January without throwing in the towel and waiting for 2023. Use your library card to kick back and relax with familiar favorites that can get you excited to start your morning or wind down after a long day. CHPL is where you can begin the new year with your classic comfort reads, opens a new window, music, opens a new window, and movies, opens a new window.
What is your new year’s resolution? Let us know by commenting below.
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