The library is here to help you achieve your New Year’s goals with resources that go beyond books.
Whether you’re looking to improve your tech skills, explore career resources, or get healthier, we’ve got you covered! Take advantage of our Computer Skills Center for tech training, DISCUS for career and academic research, and borrow sports equipment or a blood pressure monitor to kickstart your wellness journey. We also offer state park passes for outdoor adventures and gardening tools to help you cultivate your green thumb. Check out our monthly events for adults, teens, and children, and book our community rooms for meetings or events. Start the year off right by exploring all the ways your library can support your goals!
Need scholarly articles or peer-reviewed journals for your studies? Our Academic Search Premier offers access to comprehensive journals across various fields like education, health, science, and social studies.
Reading is a fantastic way to expand your knowledge and skills! We have books on every topic imaginable at the library. Want to learn about the history of salt? There’s a book for that! How about a guide on how to cook or play a musical instrument? We’ve got you covered! Check out our online library catalog to find the subject or skill you want to improve in the new year!
If tech is an area you’d like to improve in, our Computer Skills Center and Computer Source databases are perfect. Learn everything from basic computer use to software tools on the Computer Skills Center. You can also explore resources like Computer Source, which covers topics like robotics, high-tech, and software development!
Get on top of your finances with resources like World Almanac for Kids – Money Matters, which simplifies financial concepts like budgeting, saving, and investing. Or check out Learn360 – Financial Literacy for Curated videos, printables, and interactive content on finance to support engaging lessons and project-based learning. Learn about budgeting, coins, and the economy.
Use Hoopla for a collection of self-improvement books that cover everything from productivity hacks and parenting tips to boosting your confidence. You’ll also find resources on personal development topics on SCLENDS, our online library catalog that has a collection of over 2 millions items! Tip: when change Keyword to Subject and then search ‘self -help’ or whatever topic you are interested in.
If your New Year’s resolution is to become more productive or build stronger everyday skills, explore our online learning resources. LearningExpress Library offers courses, tutorials, practice tests, and eBooks to help you improve reading, writing, grammar, and math skills at your own pace. You can also use MasterFILE Premier to access high-quality articles and resources that support research, critical thinking, and lifelong learning—perfect for school, work, and personal growth.
If you want reliable information on nutrition, exercise, sleep, and general wellness, the library provides trusted research tools like Consumer Health Complete, Health Source: Consumer Edition, and Alt HealthWatch. These resources offer easy-to-understand articles, videos, and reference materials for all ages.
If staying informed is part of your wellness goal, America’s News gives you access to current and archived health and wellness coverage from trusted national and local news sources, helping you understand health trends and public health topics that impact your community.
If your resolution includes being more active, the library offers state park passes you can check out, making it easier and more affordable to enjoy walking trails, hiking, and outdoor activities with family and friends.
If tracking your health is part of your goal, the library lends blood pressure monitors so you can check and understand your numbers from the comfort of home.
If you’re looking to connect with others, the library offers monthly community activities, workshops, and monthly events for all ages. These programs create opportunities to meet neighbors, share interests, and build meaningful connections in a relaxed environment.
If giving back is part of your goal, the library helps connect you with community organizations through resources like the Candid Database, which allows you to explore local nonprofits, volunteer opportunities, and community services.
Learn About Your Community & Its History
If building connections means understanding where you live, resources like CultureGrams, StudySC, Historic American Newspapers, and NewsBanks’ collection of South Carolina Newspapers to help you explore local history, culture, and shared experiences.
If you’re seeking a welcoming place to gather, the library provides free public spaces for learning, collaboration, and connection – whether you’re attending a program, working on a project, or just spending time with others. We also offer community meeting rooms!
If you’re unsure about your next step, resources like Career Preparation and Ferguson’s Career Guidance Center help you explore careers, assess your skills, and set realistic professional goals. These tools include career assessments, job descriptions, and education pathways.
If you’re preparing for a job search, the library provides resources for resume writing, cover letters, interviewing, and workplace skills. LearningExpress Library and Tutor.com offer practice tests, skill-building courses, and certification prep to help you stand out.
If your goals include professional exams or continuing education, LearningExpress Library and College Admissions Test Preparation support test prep for certifications, licensing exams, GED, and college entrance exams.
If you want to understand job markets or employers, Company Profiles, Business Source Premier, and Regional Business News offer insights into industries, companies, and workplace trends.
If personalized help would keep you on track, Tutor.com provides expert feedback on Resumes and Cover Letters at no cost with your library card!
Resources like Hobbies & Crafts Source provide articles, tutorials, and videos on a wide range of creative projects – from painting and drawing to DIY crafts and home projects.
Use DK Eyewitness eBooks, TumbleBooks, and TeenBookCloud to explore visual storytelling, photography, art history, graphic novels, and animated storybooks.
Attend library programs that encourage creativity, such as monthly craft activities, maker-space workshops, and storytime events, to learn new skills, experiment with different media, and share your creations with others.
Access a wide selection of books for readers of all ages in both print and digital formats. Whether you prefer physical books or reading on a tablet or phone, explore thousands of titles through SCLENDS, Libby, Hoopla, and EBSCO eBooks! These platforms offer fiction, nonfiction, graphic novels, and educational materials for every interest and reading level.
Looking for your next great read? Check out the library’s seasonal reading recommendations to see what your library staff are enjoying and to discover book suggestions inspired by the time of year. These curated lists make it easy to find fresh, timely reads for all ages.
Enjoy stories in engaging and accessible formats with TumbleBooks and TeenBookCloud, which offer interactive read-aloud experiences for younger readers. For listening on the go, explore audiobooks and eBooks available through Libby and Hoopla. You can also attend storytimes at your local AHJ Library branch for live, in-person storytelling and family fun.