The new year is a perfect time to step away from screens for a while.
That's the hope of the staff at the Washington District Library, which is sponsoring a "Screen-Free(er) January" challenge this month.
The goal of the challenge isn't to remove screens entirely from our lives. After all, "for many of us, screens are an integral part of work, school and everyday life -- from shopping lists to homework, screens are an essential part of our daily routines," reads the challenge signup sheet.
The challenge is "to limit your reliance on screens for entertainment during January," the sheet reads.
Library Director Lexie Walsh admits she spends too much time looking at her screens.
"I'm certainly guilty of it," she said. "We want to encourage folks to put down their phones and see what's happening around them. Sort of a 'digital detox.'
"My biggest hope is that people who participate in the challenge try something new they wouldn't have tried if they'd been glued to the screens."
Everyone can participate in the challenge, not just library district residents.
"We think this is a valuable experience, and we don't want to limit that by geography," Walsh said.
District library board member Ashley Mahony came up with the concept for the challenge, according to Walsh.
It involves signing a pledge on the challenge signup sheet to commit to less screentime for entertainment in January, answering questions on the back of the sheet, and returning the sheet to the district library's main branch or Sunnyland branch before Feb. 16 to receive a prize like a coloring book or stacking game.
Each returned sheet will be entered in a drawing to win a Washington "experience." The experience includes gift cards for bowling and Washington Park District pool passes.
Here are some suggestions listed on the signup sheet to help those who take the pledge:
• Set up screen-free zones [like bedrooms or bathrooms].
• Set time limits on devices to curb scrolling.
• Ban screens at the kitchen or dining room table.
• Turn off unneeded notifications.
• Screen time together: watch a movie or play a game.
• No screens allowed an hour before bed.
Among the screen-less activities suggested on the signup sheet:
• Winter hike
• Baking project
• Stargaze
• Write and send a letter
• Make a 2026 bucket list
• Donate old toys and clothes
• Breakfast for dinner
• Snowball fight with cotton balls
• Make a baking soda and vinegar volcano
• Fingerprint
• Indoor picnic
• Go to the library
For more information on a "Screen-Free(er) January," contact the main branch at Five Points Washington, 380 N. Wilmor Road, or the Sunnyland branch, 16 Washington Plaza.
The phone numbers for the branches are (309) 444-2241 [main] and (309) 745-3023 [Sunnyland]. The email address for both branches is questions@washingtondl.org.
