While the holiday season is a time to reflect on the joys in our lives, the New Year is a perfect time to plan our next adventures. What do you want to do in the coming year? We all think about it, the clichéd New Year’s Resolution. Do you make yours trivial, attainable, or so lofty that it’s easily forgotten? Do you have a marvelous idea that you’ve been putting off? Well, the New Year is great time to start. And if you’re looking for a challenge, here are a few ideas from the Garfield County libraries that can help you to succeed:Take a class online. The libraries are getting new public access computers to make it easier. And, they can proctor your tests.Learn to play the guitar. Find books and CDs to help you learn.Lose weight. The libraries have diet books, cookbooks for different diet plans, exercise books, and exercise videos. Why not walk to your library right now?Learn a new language. Whether it’s Spanish, Italian, German, or something else, start learning today with audio tapes or CDs.Travel to a new country. The libraries have guide books to help you plan a trip. And there are computers with Internet access to book your reservations. Why not go somewhere you can practice that foreign language you’ve been learning?Make time for yourself. Feeling stressed with work, kids, relationships, and everything else piling on? Set some time aside each day just for you. There are plenty of mysteries, romances, and adventures available to whisk you away from your troubles.Spend quality time with your kids. All the library branches hold weekly Story Times for small children. There are also Summer Reading Programs for children and teens. Libraries are a great place to go year-round to find books and movies to enjoy together.Research your family history. Through your library, you have access to multiple genealogy databases. You can access them from home using your library card, or use one of the libraries’ public access computers.Write a book. Is there an epic story building inside your head? Do you ever think about creating a children’s book with cute little bears? There are books to help plan, design, and refine your ideas. Remodel your house. Still have orange shag carpet from a few decades ago? Is your kitchen a place to hide from friends, rather than host parties? Come in and look through kitchen idea books. There are also how-to books about painting, organizing, and flooring. You’d be surprised; installing a new wood floor isn’t as hard as it sounds.Make your commute better. This one is simple, yet it can really make a difference. The libraries have thousands of audio books on tape, CD, and available to download. You are driving anyway, why not listen to a great story or learn something new? I have often returned home and sat in my car for long periods of time. Just listening. When I get to a good part, well, I just can’t stop!Do any of these ideas sound good to you? If not, there are millions of other possibilities. Choose something fun, easy, or challenging. Just remember, your library can be an excellent resource. Furthermore, it’s a wonderful place to be. Good luck in making 2008 an unforgettable year!Emily Hisel is youth librarian at the Rifle branch of the Garfield County Library.w