Despite the title of this week’s post, I’m not the biggest fan of the “bucket list.” Similar to my thoughts on New Year’s resolutions,  I feel that if you feel that you need to make changes in your life, you should give yourself permission to do so, regardless of the time of year, or period in your life. Also, the idea of fitting a bunch of things in before you die is a little depressing… Why not live it up before that very uncertain deadline?

However, I saw this post from PopSugar’s blog about a book-lover bucket list and it got me thinking. If book lovers can have a bucket-list, why not library users? As a pretty heavy library user myself (even before I became a librarian), there are still some aspects of the library that I haven’t used or don’t use very often. My guess is that there are plenty of regulars, including some of our wonderful Free For All readers, who are unaware of some of the very cool things that the library offers. As a result, I’ve put together a list of 15 things to take advantage of at the Library, but let’s not call it a bucket list, OK? Instead, I think a Library Lover’s Challenge is a far more positive and encouraging way of thinking about it. Feel free and try out as many as you can. Since it’s the library, all of it is free!

1. Download a book from Overdrive – whether you do this from your phone, tablet or even on a regular computer, give yourself permission to try reading on a screen and see what it does for you.
2. Listen to an audiobook – the Free For All’s love for audiobooks is well documented and you can find audiobooks on regular CDs, MP3 CDs and eAudiobooks on Overdrive or Hoopla. Go ahead, let someone read you a story!
3. Read a children’s chapter book – Give your brain a break and read something a little lighter (though not necessarily less substantial). You can try classic authors like Beverly Cleary, E. B. White or Jerry Spinelli, or check out someone newer like Rick Riordan, Stephan Pastis or James Patterson (yes, that James Patterson). See what all the cool kids are reading these days!
4. Read a picture book – My love for picture books is undeniable and this is easily the shortest time-commitment on the list. There are too many amazing picture books to recommend here. Browse and choose one at random or stop in for a recommendation.
5. Check out a nonfiction title – Many library users are fiction readers and this is awesome. (Plenty of you are non-fiction readers so if you’ve got this one covered, huzzah!) But sometimes there are non-fiction books that read as well as fiction in terms of narrative and can be equally engrossing. Give it a shot!
6. Check out a fiction title in a genre you never thought you’d read – For all you fiction and non-fiction lovers, give this a try. There are TONS of genre-bending works out there that have great merit. Like historical works? Try one with magic in it. Like mysteries? Try an epistolary novel which often is quick-moving as well. You never know what you might fall in love with.
7. Check out a DVD – I’m always surprised by how many people are amazed that we loan movies, completely free for a full week. If you haven’t yet, borrow a movie or TV show.
8. Place a hold on a book that isn’t out yet – I mentioned this one last week, but this is also somewhat of a best-kept-secret so I think it’s worth repeating. If we’ve ordered it, you can put a hold on it!
9. Check out a book on a display – All of the library locations love putting books on display and we love it even more when people check books out from them. Sometimes people are timid about checking something out from a display that looks nice and full, but that’s what it’s there for. If you see something you like, check it out!
10. Check out a magazine – So many people don’t realize that our magazines can go out for the same loan period as our books. Why spend money on a subscription, when you can read current and back issues for free?
11. Use a database – Looking to purchase a new appliance? Check out the Consumer Reports database. Trying to find a newspaper article? Check out the Boston Globe or New York Times. Want some hot stock tips, try Morningstar. There’s more where that came from, so feel free to ask a reference librarian for help!
12. Check out a book from a popular list – The Library keeps track of New York Times bestsellers and Library Reads (a monthly librarian favorites list) and several others. If you’re trying to find something to read, check out what’s popular with others.
13. Like us on Facebook – The Library has a Facebook page where we put interesting tidbits, program notices and much more. Like us and never miss an update!
14. Sign up for one of our newsletters – Never miss a program update for Adults, Children & Teens or the Creativity Lab. Your e-mail is only ever used for newsletter purposes (never shared) and updates are generally only once each week, so your inbox doesn’t get overloaded.
15. Check out our Audubon prints – Among our many historic artifacts, did you know the Library is one of  the few places that possesses authentic Audubon prints?  You can make an appointment to see them in the Sutton Room, or check out what we have online.

That’s my list. Is there anything else you think belongs on the list? How many have you accomplished already? Till next week, dear readers, please continue to use the library, in whatever way is best for you, but consider expanding your library horizons, too. We love it when even our regulars experience something new!