Resolve to Use OPL More

As the new year approaches, many of us set goals to improve our lives. Your local library is a valuable, often underutilized resource to support your New Year’s resolutions. When making your New Year’s goals, don’t forget about OPL!

Expand your reading

Push yourself out of your reading comfort zone by participating in the 2025 Reading Challenge, or get a group of readers together and start your own book club with OPL’s book club bags! You may also challenge yourself by reading in a new format, such as delving into a graphic novel or trying an audiobook for the first time. Reading is proven to make people happier, less stressed and more empathetic, among other benefits, so it comes as no surprise that people want to spend more time with a good book.

Learn a new language

Have you thought about learning a new language? Unlock a world of language learning with Mango Languages through OPL! Mango Languages provides an immersive, interactive platform to master over 70 languages at your own pace. With its intuitive interface and practical lessons tailored to real-life scenarios, Mango equips you with the skills needed to communicate confidently in any situation. It’s not just about memorizing vocabulary; Mango immerses you in real-life conversations and cultural insights, making learning feel natural and fun.

Develop new skills

OPL’s online resource center is full of valuable tools to help learn new skills. LinkedIn Learning is especially useful for those looking to bolster business skills in leadership, productivity and project management; technical skills in areas like artificial intelligence and cybersecurity; or creative skills in graphic design, photography or digital marketing. Whether you’re looking to level up your skillset or pivot into something new, LinkedIn Learning can help you achieve your goals.

Learn about your family history

If you’re interested in exploring your ancestry, you can utilize library resources to help you do so. Visit the Genealogy & Local History Room to access historical newspapers, city directories, yearbooks and other resources. You can also access online genealogical databases like Ancestry Library Edition, great for birth, marriage and death records; Family Search, the world’s largest collection of family trees, genealogy records and resources; and Fold3, the premier collection of original military records.

Whatever 2025 has in store, there are endless ways that OPL can help you to achieve your personal and professional goals. If you have favorite ways of utilizing your local library, feel free to share a photo or post and tag @OmahaLibrary on social media.