In mid-December, Arielle Retting, an NPR reporter, shared some favorite hobbies of people in 2023. Since January is National Hobby Month, it is a great time to consider what hobbies might shape our leisure time in 2024. The Michigan eLibrary (MeL) can provide ideas for new pastimes everyone can enjoy this year.

An interest in technology might lead to the hobby of 3D printing. The cost of 3D printers and supplies has decreased and they have become commonplace in many homes and libraries. Hobbies & Crafts Source includes several publications that provide ideas for 3D printing enthusiasts.  "Getting Started With 3D Printing" in FineScale Modeler shows the steps one person used in the process of creating models. "3D Printing and Leathercraft" in Leather Crafters & Saddlers Journal demonstrates how to make custom stamps for specialty leather items. Practical uses for 3D printers such as designing a prosthetic hand and printing a school in Malawi are described in "How 3-D Printing is Changing the World" in Scholastic Scope from Science Reference Center. This growing hobby blends technology and practicality and the only limit is your imagination.

If you have gotten on the charcuterie bandwagon (and who hasn’t?), then you definitely need a fancy board for serving. Hobbies & Crafts Source shows the latest trend of using resin to fill a river between slabs of wood, creating beautiful art objects such as serving boards and coffee tables. "Resin to the Rescue" in Woodworker's Journal shows the process of combining wood and resin to make art. On a smaller scale, those proficient with a scroll saw can create charms for drink glasses using techniques shown in a Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts article titled "Citrus Glass Charms: Top Off Your Beverage with a Zesty Resin Accent." Woodworking can offer solitary time to contemplate a new idea or can be planned as a group activity where everyone learns a new skill and leaves with something useful.

For those who like to travel, planning road trips might be the perfect hobby in 2024. There are several recently published road trip books reviewed in Library Journal from Library & Information Science Source that can help with plans for an epic trip. In addition, MasterFILE Complete has suggestions for a "Carolina Barbecue Road Trip." If you want to try out options closer to home, Michigan Blue includes a guide for spending time in Ludington in west Michigan and an article about adventures that can't be missed in Saginaw on the east side of the state.

Finding ideas for a new hobby in 2024 is as easy as searching in any of MeL’s 70+ eResources. What have you been wanting to try? Let us know at MeLerhelp@mcls.org.

If you have any MeL eResources questions or issues, contact melerhelp@mcls.org for help.

Brought to you by Laura Warren-Gross from the MeL Team. 

Supporting Michigan Libraries by Putting You First. 

Want more information on MeL?  Stay tuned for the next MeL Minute available on many Michigan library listservs,  visit http://mel.org, or sign up for the MeL Minute and other Library of Michigan e-mail lists via GovDelivery. We encourage you to share MeL Minutes with your colleagues and networks. 

MeL eResources are available to Michigan residents or for Michigan library or school access only. 

This project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services through the Library of Michigan.

Laura Warren-Gross

MeL Engagement Specialist for Public Libraries
Midwest Collaborative for Library Services  
517-481-2022 

warren-grossl@mcls.org

mcls.org | Facebook | X | LinkedIn