The holidays have come and gone and a new year is upon us. People all over Niles are setting new goals and whether your goal is to learn how to video chat with family or play the flute, Niles District Library is here to assist you! The New Year brings new additions to computer and technology class offerings as well as the Library of Things.

For many years, the Niles District Library has offered introductory computer classes for adults including basic internet and basic email. Recently though, patrons have been requesting additional assistance with a variety of technological needs. In response to those requests, NDL has been developing all new technology-related classes to offer free of charge. Adult Services Team member Angelika Anderson has been a substitute teacher in the Niles area for three years and brings her teaching experience to the NDL team. She has been busy designing new upcoming classes such as using your smartphone, a healthy new you in the new year (using technology to help with your fitness goals), going on a road trip with Google Maps, and  using Microsoft Word templates: resumes, letters and invitations. Angelika has also been instrumental in putting together a new series where local lawyers will be available twice a month for quick legal questions called “Coffee with a Lawyer.” You can read more about these programs and more in our quarterly newsletters, on NDL’s website nileslibrary.com or find us on Facebook. All programs are free and open to the public!

In response to a trend that is sweeping the country, the Library of Things had humble beginnings. The past couple years have brought an expansion of NDL’s collection to include “things” available for checkout. The collection started with a generous donation of games and some kitchen items but has since grown to include more than 350 things. These things range from commons items (such as games and cake pans) to more unique items (musical instruments, a car jump-starter, or a wallpaper steamer). The goal of the Library of Things is to offer patrons the opportunity to try out an object before purchasing one of their own (an Instant Pot) or to make use of an item that would be used infrequently (a power washer). If you’re interested in browsing the Library of Things collection, open hours are Tuesday evenings 5 to 8 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the lower level of the library.

Have suggestions for technology classes or ideas for items to add to the Library of Things collection? If so, we want to hear from you! Email your suggestions to reference@nileslibrary.net. We’re looking forward to another year of serving the Niles community!

Sarah Skinner is the information and readers services manager at the Niles District Library. She can be reached by calling the library at (269) 683-8545.