Check It Out:

Instead of making the usual resolutions this year (lose weight, exercise more, quit smoking), why not put using your local public library at the top of your goals? It’s easy to do, free and will bring you so much in return. In case you’ve forgotten, here are 10 excellent reasons to make the Newport Beach Public Library the place to go in the New Year:

1. Did you know that the library’s new downloadable book service, MyiLibrary, is fully compatible with Macs and iPods? And the existing Overdrive service was recently upgraded to offer iPod compatibility on nearly all titles as well. It’s a great time to try out downloadable books for the first time!

2. Looking for enrichment activities for your children? The library offers story times at all four locations each week, from Books and Babies to toddler, preschool and family story times. Craft clubs and special activities are always on the calendar, too.

3. Sunday Musicales and Family Concerts are offered on a regular basis throughout the year, and feature outstanding musical performances for adults on Sundays and children and their families on Saturdays. The Jan. 9 family concert will feature “Dunley Rabbit, PI and the Case of the Mysterious Sound! A Musical Adventure” at 11 am. On Jan. 24, the Highland String Quartet will perform at 3 p.m. There’s no charge for these performances.

4. Looking for a local book group? The Manuscripts Book Group, which meets the second Wednesday throughout the year (except for August) at 9:15 a.m., has a lively discussion each month about interesting books. January’s selection is the 2008 winner of the Man Booker prize, “White Tiger” by Aravind Adiga.

5. Looking for investment advice? Not only does the Newport Beach Public Library Foundation sponsor a series called, “It’s Your Money,” the library subscribes to databases Morningstar, Value Line, Mergent and Standard and Poor’s NetAdvantage. Many other databases are available as well to help you with your research from genealogy to children’s games.

6. Not sure how to use the databases the library offers? Make an appointment for a one-on-one session with a librarian to learn how to use any of the databases, downloadable book sites or the catalog. These sessions are offered at 9 a.m. Monday through Thursday and from 2 to 4 p.m. Thursdays.

7. Do you love to cook or perhaps just love good food? Then you’ll want to attend “What’s Cooking at the Library?” Some of Orange County’s best chefs will be serving up tasty gourmet treats and sharing some of their cooking secrets in a new series of monthly culinary events hosted by the Newport Beach Public Library. Satisfy your craving for gourmet cuisine and learn from the experts. Register online or in person at any of the four branch locations.

8. Are video games popular in your household? The library now offers games to borrow at no charge in a variety of formats, including PlayStation 2 and 3, Wii and Xbox. Come to the Central Library to see the selection.

9. DVDs are great entertainment and the library offers classics, documentary, foreign-language and new releases. You can find something to watch at any of the branch libraries.

10. And in case you’ve forgotten, the library is the place to go to borrow books! From best sellers and new releases, study guides and repair manuals, mysteries and children’s books, the library has it all.

Make 2010’s new year resolution to enjoy your library.

CHECK IT OUT is written by the staff of the Newport Beach Public Library. All titles may be reserved from home or office computers by accessing the catalog at www.newportbeachlibrary.org. For more information on the Central Library or any of the branches, please contact the Newport Beach Public Library at (949) 717-3800, option 2.