Have a Dewey new year!

Originally published in the Ketchikan Daily News, January 2019; written by Pat Tully

January is the time to make resolutions. About mid-month, though, your resolve may be starting to weaken--I know mine is. The Library, by way of the Dewey Decimal System, can help.

(The Dewey Decimal System was created over 100 years ago as a way to organize library books by subject. The Library gives each book and DVD a Dewey number that corresponds to its subject, and labels it accordingly.)

These are the most common New Year’s resolutions, according to Brad Zomick of GoSkills.com, and the Dewey numbers that correspond with them:

· Exercise more - If you would like some new routines to energize your workout, the Library has DVDs (Dewey 613.7) that allow you to try yoga, tai chi, cardio dance, and other exercises in the privacy of your home.

· Lose weight - If you have resolved to eat healthily and lose weight, but are getting sick of the same old foods day after day, the Library has a large selection of cookbooks at Dewey 641 and 613.2. Whether you are going ketogenic, paleo, low-fat, or DASH, the Library has books you can borrow to keep to your diet while enjoying a variety of dishes.

1. Get organized - If you are having trouble organizing your stuff, try Dewey 648.8 for books on decluttering, sorting, and storing things so they are easy to find but not in the way.

· Learn a new skill or hobby - If you are interested in learning something new, the Library has a large collection of craft and hobby books, including—but not limited to--boat building (623), gardening (635), quilting and other needlecrafts (746.4), knot-tying (623.8), painting (751.4), and stamp collecting (769.56).

· Live life to the fullest - If you want to open yourself up to new possibilities, 158 is the Dewey number for you! Books like The Happiness Project, This is Not the Life I Ordered, and Perfect Balance can provide perspective and advice on living your best life.

2. Save more money / spend less money - If one of your resolutions is to save more and spend less, Dewey 332.024 has books and DVDs on budgeting and money management. And getting your books at the Library is a great way to save money!

· Quit smoking - It is tough to quit smoking, but the books at Dewey 616.865 offer guidance and advice to kick the habit for good.

· Spend more time with family and friends – Reading aloud is a great way to spend a winter’s evening. Browse the Library’s children’s books and short story anthologies for stories to read to your family. Or bring the kids to the Library’s Storytime or Babytime programs. Storytime takes place every Thursday at 10:30am, and Babytime on Fridays at 10:30am.

· Travel more - Start planning your summer trip or the trip of a lifetime with books in Dewey 910-919. The Library has just received a shipment of the latest travel guides.

· Read more – But of course! The Library has a variety of books, magazines and audiobooks for you to borrow with your First City Libraries card.