By Paul Birkhead
Rowan Public Library

Did you make a resolution for the new year? If so, surveys indicate it was probably to lose weight, pay off debt or spend more time with family.

These are all worthy goals, but there is another you should consider. Resolve to play an instrument in 2017. If you choose to do this, Rowan Public Library has materials you need to get started.

If you’ve never learned how to read sheet music or need a refresher, “Learn to Read Music,” by Howard Shanet, would be a great choice. Shanet’s book, which has been out for many years, is often praised for its succinct writing style and easy instruction methods.

Of course, you could always start playing music by ear, but learning music composition and theory will give you a stronger foundation on which to build.

If piano is the instrument you want to learn, the library has many books and DVDs that can certainly help. “Teach Yourself Visually Piano” gives an excellent introduction to the subject. This volume of the popular Teach Yourself Visually series is authored by Mary Sue Taylor, who has taught music for decades. The book has helpful information and colorful graphics to get you playing in no time.

Two other good books on the subject are “Play Piano in a Flash” and “Piano: An Easy Guide.” If instruction by sight is more your style, be sure to check out the DVD of Creative Keyboard’s “Anyone Can Play Piano.”

Another popular instrument that the library can help you learn about is the guitar. “The Complete Guitar Course: Learn to Play in 20 Easy-To-Follow-Lessons,” is a book that gets checked out quite a bit. The author, Tom Fleming, is a professional guitar player and has taught people to play for over a decade.

In the first few lessons of “The Complete Guitar Course,” you’ll learn the components of acoustic and electric guitars and enough about chords to start feeling good about the sounds coming out of your instrument. The book offers short lessons which are broken up by interesting vignettes on music history and popular guitar players.

Again, if you learn better by watching, there are several DVDs available at the library to assist you. These include: “Fingerpicking Guitar Techniques,” “The Hal Leonard Guitar Method” and “Getting Started on Electric Guitar.”

There are also a few classes you can take online at home (Music Made Easy and Introduction to Guitar) from Gale Courses, courtesy of Rowan Public Library. To access your free subscription to Gale Courses, a premium online learning program, all you need is your library card number and PIN. To get started, visit www.rowanpubliclibrary.org and click on the Gale Courses link. Each course lasts six weeks and includes 12 lessons total. Upcoming start dates are Feb. 15 and March 15.

Happy New Year to everyone. Don’t forget, Rowan Public Library has materials to help if you’ve resolved to learn a musical instrument in 2017.

Chapter Chats Book Club: A weekly club for teens 14-17, primarily for participants with developmental or intellectual disabilities, but all are welcome. Meets at East branch meeting room, Tuesdays, 5 p.m. For more information, contact Tammie Foster at 704-216-7842.

Anime Club: Teens and college-age adults (21 and under) may watch anime and engage in Japanese-themed crafts and games. Headquarters, Feb. 7, 4:30 p.m.

Teen Advisory Board: Teens who join this board provide input on RPL’s teen programming and book selection and discuss current events and issues of interest. Members can count their hours of participation toward school community service requirements. East, Feb. 13, 6:30 p.m.; headquarters, Jan. 24 and Feb. 28, 4:30 p.m.; South, Feb. 2, 4:30 p.m.

Teen program: Join us each month as teens play games, make crafts and do activities related to a specific theme. Jan. 23 at 6:30 is game night at East. February is the Chocolate Festival, and March is the MuV Chat. Headquarters, Feb. 21, 4:30 p.m.; East, Feb. 27, 6:30 p.m.; South, Feb. 16, 4:30 p.m.

“Dr. Who” Days: Travel through time and space with screenings of the classic BBC program, “Dr. Who.” Families are invited. Headquarters, Feb. 14, 4:30 p.m.

No-School Cinema Marvel Marathon: South Regional, Jan. 23, 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Features “Iron Man,” I, II and III. All three films are PG-13 and have run times of, respectively, 126 minutes, 124 minutes, and 130 minutes. “Iron Man I” begins at 9:30 a.m., with “Iron Man II” at noon and “Iron Man III” immediately following. Children ages 13 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Light refreshments will be served. This event is free and open to the public.

Jan. 23, 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m., East branch, features “Avengers” and “Avengers: Age of Ultron.” Both films are rated PG-13 and have run times of, respectively, 142 minutes and 141 minutes. “Avengers” begins at 11 a.m. and “Avengers: Age of Ultron”  at 2 p.m. Light refreshments will be served. This event is free and open to the public. All ages are welcome; however, children ages 13 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

Learn. Act. Grow. Defend Yourself: Jan. 23, 5:30-7 p.m., South Regional. Learn simple tips and techniques on how to protect yourself in a bad situation. Live self-defense demonstration and hands-on assistance provided by local experts from Sidekick Karate.

Maker Mondays: Jan. 23, 6-7 p.m., headquarters. See the RPL Cooperative Lab’s 3D printer in action. Learn about the process from start to finish, and witness how a 3D printer can make ideas reality.

Adult Outreach Movie: “It’s a Wonderful Life,” Jan. 27, 2 p.m., East branch. George Bailey (Jimmy Stewart) learns the true meaning of Christmas, and Clarence gets his wings in this 1946 classic directed by Frank Capra. Rated PG, this film has a runtime of 131 minutes. Light refreshments will be served. This event is free, open to the public and all ages are welcome.

Saturday Cinema: “Finding Nemo,” Jan. 28, 11 a.m., East branch. Tag along as Marlin and Dory search for Nemo. This rated-G film has a runtime of 100 minutes. Light refreshments will be served. This event is free, open to the public and all ages are welcome.

Displays: Headquarters, West Rowan High School student art classes and Lee Street theatre; East, cross stitch; South, South Rowan High School student artwork.

Literacy: Call the Rowan County Literacy Council at 704-216-8266 for more information on teaching or receiving literacy tutoring for English speakers or for those for whom English is a second language.