WITH 2017 at hand, it's time to think ahead to getting back to reading and picking up new skills.

West Dunbartonshire libraries are hosting a series of new classes and sessions starting within days of Christmas decorations being packed away.

For the youngest residents, bookbug sessions of about 30-40 minutes for babies, toddlers and their parents and carers start Monday, January 9. Songs, action rhymes and sharing stories are the main sources of fun.

Clydebank Library hosts sessions on Wednesday afternoons, Dalmuir on Wednesday and Friday mornings, Duntocher on Thursday morning, Faifley on Tuesday morning and afternoon, Parkhall on Monday mornings and Clydebank Museum on Monday afternoons.

Booking for the sessions opened on Monday and registration is required.

There are also introduction classes to help you adjust to those tech gifts you might be hoping for.

Dalmuir Library is offering a free, six-week course from January 23 introducing iPads to absolute beginners. The sessions are ideal for those have an iPad or who attended sessions on "buyers guide to tablet computers".

The course will cover everything from connecting to wifi to customising the look of the desktop, browsing the internet and security for the device. These sessions are not for other brands of tablets, but courses are available on those as well at other libraries.

Parkhall and Duntocher libraries are covering computers for absolute beginners demonstrating all the essentials of the digital age - "and how not to be afraid". But both eight-week courses are fully booked.

Through February and into March, Duntocher, Parkhall, Faifley, Clydebank and Dalmuir libraries are running sessions on how to make the most of their digital collections, such as free eBooks or eMagazine subscriptions for any devices.

Duntocher is also running a two-hour guide to setting up and using Skype to keep in touch with the world.

And all libraries are running March single classes to introduce you to Windows 10.

For more information on all the classes coming up in 2017, contact 01389 772132 or email quest@west-dunbarton.gov.uk.