For many of us, the start of a new year is a time for recalibration and, for some, reinvention.

Whether you are exploring veganism as atonement for holiday indulgences, starting a job search or resolving to exercise more or to learn a new language, San Francisco Public Library has it all, for free!

The following is a roundup of upcoming programs and resources for anyone contemplating incremental or radical change in 2020.

Discover events at the SF Public Library.

Free 2020 Resources + Events at SF Public Library

Resolution 1: Eat Better And Exercise

Moving Toward Vegan with Patti Breitman

Saturday, 11 January, 2:00-3:00 PM at Mission Bay Branch, 960 4th Street          

Are you a vegetarian, vegan, raw-foodist or just curious about trying these diets? Patti Breitman, co-author of Never Too Late to Go Vegan and Even Vegans Die will discuss the move toward veganism. For anyone interested in a plant-based diet that promotes a healthy, ethical and sustainable lifestyle this program will present easy food prep and meal planning ideas.

Improve Your Strength with Low Impact Weights and Exercise Bands

Monday, January 13, 10:00-11:00 AM at North Beach Branch, 850 Columbus Avenue                       

Instructor Sally Miramon uses a holistic and personalized approach and system to improve balance and extension of limbs. She has been an exercise and dance class instructor for over 40 years and has taught at the San Francisco YMCA, Telegraph Hill Neighborhood Center and Project Access, among others. She is passionate about helping people get healthy. Space limited. Reservations required: (415) 355-5626.

Healthy Eating for Families with YMCA’s Eat Well, Live Well

Wednesday, January 15, 10:30-11:30 AM at Sunset Branch, 1305 18th Avenue 

A YMCA Eat Well, Live Well health coach will teach you how to make healthier eating choices and provide tools to help meet your family’s healthy eating goals.

Build Strength and Flexibility with Chi Kung

Sunday, January 19, 1:15-2:00 PM at Marina Branch, 1890 Chestnut Street

Chi Kung combines relaxed postures, breathing exercise, and meditation, providing a balanced way to improve your strength and flexibility. Chunfu Cai has practiced Chi Kung for more than 30 years. He is a certified instructor. This 45 minutes class is suitable for both beginners and advanced practitioners.

This class is held from 1:15 p.m. to 2 p.m. on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of every month.

Brain Health – Food for the Brain with the UCSF Memory and Aging Center

Saturday, February 8, 3:00-4:00 PM at Eureka Valley Branch, 1 Jose Sarria Court

Learn how to increase your brain health with food, exercise, and other daily activities.  Educators from UCSF’s Memory and Aging Center will provide helpful information to help maintain your brain.

Coffee: Health, History & Tastes with Author KJ Landis

Tuesday, February 25, 4:00-5:00 PM at Golden Gate Valley Branch, 1801 Green Street

Author of Happy Healthy You, How to Clean Up Your Life when the $#!+ Hits the Fan and Superior Self: Reaching Superior Health for a Superior Self KJ Landis will treat patrons to tastes of several varieties of coffee, the world’s most popular drink. Her books will be available for purchase during the event.

Resolution 2: Make Peace With Getting Old

Elderhood: Redefining Aging, Transforming Medicine, Reimagining Life

Wednesday, January 22, 6:00-7:30 PM at Main Library, Koret Auditorium, 100 Larkin Street

In Elderhood: Redefining Aging, Transforming Medicine, Reimagining Life, San Francisco-born and Harvard-trained geriatrician Louise Aronson brings her insight, empathy, and humor to the existential questions that, with luck, all of us inevitably encounter. Drawing on stories of patient care from her quarter-century of practice, along with lessons from history, science, literature, popular culture and her own life, Dr. Aronson will discuss the opportunities and challenges specific to one’s 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, and beyond.

Resolution 3: Relax More

Coloring & Tea Time (for Adults!)

Sunday, January 26, 2:00-4:00 PM at Western Addition Branch, 1550 Scott Street

Coloring can help relax and exercise your mind. Make new friends, and try this calming activity as creative meditation. Tea and cookies are provided. Space is limited. Reservations required: (415) 355-5727.

Resolution 4: Change Careers

Author Talk: Dr. Marty Nemko

Saturday, January 4, 10 AM at Main Library, Koret Auditorium, 100 Larkin Street

In the real world, far from the ivory tower or pop-psych podium, people want their lives to improve, but most people will actually make only modest changes to make it happen. Local radio host, author and career coach Marty Nemko will share realistic yet potent ideas to improve your work and personal life. There will also be an opportunity to volunteer for one of his famous “Workovers” during which he will help you find a baby step, maybe even a giant step, to start you on a new path to a better career and life. 

As we ring in the New Year, the Main Library offers a plethora of learning opportunities and services. Accelerate your job search through networking and learn how to do it in a way that is effective—and fun! Reserve a free session with a career/life coach and receive guidance, structure and encouragement or enroll in a resume workshop.

• Accelerate Your Job Search Through Networking – Wednesday, January 15, 6-7:30 PM, at the Main Library, Learning Studio, 100 Larkin Street
• Career Coaching at SF Public Library – Reserve sessions: https://bstjobscareers.youcanbook.me/
• Resume Writing and Techniques – Sunday, January, 26, 2-4 PM at the Main Library, Sycip Room, 100 Larkin Street
• Resume Writing Essentials – Monday, January 27, 10:30 AM -12:30 PM at the Main Library, Sycip Room, 100 Larkin Street
• Succeeding as a Freelancer – Wednesday, January 29 and 30, 5:30-7:30 PM at the Main Library, 5^th Floor Computer Lab, 100 Larkin Street – Ready to be your own boss? Succeeding as a Freelancer is a two-day workshop that demystifies the gig economy. This course is specially designed for people who: are unemployed and want to get back to work; earn on their own schedule and build experience in their field.

Resolution 5: Get Serious About Learning Another Language

Do you have a new year’s resolution to learn a language, pick up a new skill or change your life’s course with a different job? Use the Library’s valuable bank of eResources for thousands of ways to learn through a variety of apps.

If you’re planning to explore a new country in 2020 and want to start building your vocabulary, look no further than Mango Languages and Rosetta Stone. Mango is an interactive language-learning platform, offering more than 70 different languages and 18 different ESL courses. Your access to Rosetta Stone unlocks 30 languages, including Vietnamese, Arabic and Spanish on its immersive platform. Both Mango and Rosetta are available as mobile apps for convenient learning-on-the-go.