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.