Now that we’re in the shortest days of the year, outdoor activities are often curtailed and indoor ones happen instead. Are you already planning your New Year (and attendant resolutions)? Hoping to get through the long dark nights? Curled up on the sofa with something hot to drink and read? Consider these ideas for your entertainment, education, and financial wellbeing for the Winter Solstice and the New Year.
You may already know about the Library’s free movie streaming service Kanopy, which has movies, foreign films, documentaries, and Great Courses, not to mention KidsKanopy. Now, the Library also has Bibliotele, a streaming service all in Spanish that features Spanish films, documentaries, theater, series, and original-to-Bibliotele material for adults and children, and aimed at supporting the Latino/a/x community. If you’re a Spanish speaker or learner, Bibliotele is a terrific resource for listening and learning, or just watching some great cine! You won’t find it anywhere outside of a library. Go to Bibliotele.com, create an account using your library card number, and start streaming. No library card? No problem! Stop by the front desk at the Library on Main Street and we can get you signed up. Or fill out the online application on our website www.westcusterlibrary.org. (Did we mention streaming is all free with just a library card? No joke!)
Are you thinking about starting or expanding a business in 2026? Check out the new resources on the Library’s website under Online Resources>Business Center. You can find help for questions on Colorado business law and how to write a business plan. You’ll also find links to apply for an EIN, for registering a business name and permits, to contact local governments, tax and insurance help, and a section on financing options. There are even links to the Southern Colorado Small Business Development Corporation, which has tons more resources. Still have questions? Sign up for the Library’s monthly Virtual Legal Clinic (VLC) for a free short conversation with an attorney to help guide you. Call us at 719-783-9138 or email info@westcusterlibrary.org to book a VLC time. Appointments are required.
It’s not too late to take part in the annual Gingerbread House contest for all ages! Pick up a kit at the Library to get started, and feel free to add on to your creation. Get crazy! Bring your “house” back to the Library by January 2 for judging and to vote for your own favorites. Winners will be announced January 13.
If you are making New Year’s resolutions, the Library has a great selection of books to help you with: National Keto Diet Day (1/5), National Tech Day (1/6), National Booch (Kombucha) Day (1/15), or National Imagination Day (1/19). Sorry, we can’t help much with National Fruitcake Toss Day (1/3), National Bobblehead Day (1/7), National Bubblebath Day (1/8), or National Step-in-a-Puddle-and-Splash-Your-Friends Day (1/11). But we’re confident you can handle those yourself. Happy New Year!