Ease through the Holidays, with Help from MCLS

Autumn – fall colors, crisp air, football, the rustle of leaves, the seemingly endless holiday marathon that starts for some with Halloween. This time of year is typically a time we try to brighten the darker days with our own festive sunshine, but the downside is it can often lead to more stress and less relaxation then we anticipate. Fortunately, the library is a terrific place to turn for advice, ideas, entertainment, and even some piece of mind. And while we do provide quite a variety in our physical collection, this is Tech Tips, so here is a rundown of how we can help you tackle the holidays virtually.

First, if you have not yet delved into one of our newest databases, Creativebug, now is the time to do so! Sure, it’s packed with great hobby videos if you want to learn to paint or knit, but this time of year it is a bonanza of decorating, hosting, and gift ideas. Take a look and you will find Thanksgiving centerpieces, card making, gift bag and wrapping techniques, and even how to make your own jewelry and bath bombs. Maybe while searching for holiday help, you will even see a new hobby to resolve to try in the new year!

If cooking is the main activity causing you to search for something new, we have a few magazine resources that can be accessed either online or via an app. Flipster, PressReader, and eLibraryNJ (Libby app) all have current and back issues of several cooking-specific magazines, as well as lifestyle titles such as Real Simple, O, and Better Homes and Gardens. The websites offer print options for pages, snips, or the entire magazine. If you use the apps available for Android or iOS, you can prop up your tablet or phone stove- or oven-side and flip through. Many of these magazines also include decorating tips and gift ideas. All of our magazines have unlimited access and there is no limit on how many you may check out at a time.

Stuck on a long trip over the river and through the woods, to grandma’s house and need a few entertainment options for your family or yourself? We have you covered there as well. There are eBooks, audiobooks, movies, TV shows, comics, and music available through eLibraryNJ, hoopla, and Tumblebooks. All except Tumblebooks have apps, but Tumblebooks does have a website that adapts to a mobile screen. That service offers picture books for children; the others feature content for both adults and children. Most items can be downloaded for offline use and all the apps will download the full item in the background when you are connected to WiFi to save on data usage.

Let’s face facts and realize you may get a bit overwhelmed with all the excitement, planning, and work involved in the holidays. You will likely be looking for some way to get peace and quiet and me time – turn to Headspace. This resource focuses on your mental health with meditation, either as a course or single pre-recorded sessions that feature calming music or nature sounds paired with a guide on how to relax and just soothe the body and soul.

Lastly, please remember we have a full slate of virtual and in-person programs available through our system. There is a regular virtual meditation class on Monday afternoons, visits from Santa, holiday crafts and storytimes, as well as lectures about the history of various holiday traditions. You can find a listing of our programs on our website.

- by Laura N., Information Technology Department