WILKES-BARRE, Pa. — By 2024, the Osterhout Free Library on South Franklin Street in Wilkes-Barre hopes to work to promote all it has to offer.
“Realizing that we are so much more than books, we have our library of things and we have tons of in-person programs coming up that we are really excited about this year,” said Michelle Riley, Osterhout’s director of development.
If your New Year’s resolution involves learning a new subject or skill or reading more, this library has a new incentive reading program to give you an extra boost.
“We just started today winter reading program for adults. So any book that you check out or from our cloud library, so e-books, audiobooks or regular paperbacks, are included in this winter reading plan. You can enter twice a week with what you read, and you can enter to win a $100 Visa gift card,” Riley explained.
Maybe your mental health goals for 2024 don’t include expanding your mind’s knowledge, but rather improving your mental health. The library also has resources for this.
“As part of our collection, we have different self-help books, workbooks and different things that you can look at. We just encourage you to explore our collection and see what we have to offer,” said added Riley.
Even if the topic you’re seeking help with this new year isn’t something you’re comfortable discussing with a librarian, there is a “difficult topics” board in the library to help you find what you need.
There are also programs at the library, such as the Device Tour, that can help you learn how to use your devices from home to access library resources remotely.
“Where you can take career prep tests, exam prep, prep, LSAT, prep type things and all kinds of different databases, we would be there to help you,” Riley said.
So whatever mental support or challenge you’re looking for in the new year, a library can be a good place to start.
