start. Go and say you're new and want to learn, you will be made to feel welcome.
If you are like many in North America, then you're solitary and have to rely on books. To get an overview of Buddhism - there are several lineages and permutations within these - then a book like A Buddhist Bible by Goddard is still a good overview of Buddhism. It's available and cheap used on eBay and not too expensive at new book dealers.
I would not recommend you begin with a Tibetan tradition or Rinzai Zen because I think you need a teacher(s) for them but Soto Zen a solitary person can comprehend and practice.
The first thing, I think, is to get an feel for the diversity and pick a school that you think fits your personality and situation. Second, read and reread the Buddhist Eightfold Path and begin modifying your life to conform to the extent you are able. Doing this will make your meditation more productive in my opinon.
Remember, Buddhism is something you do as much or more then something you believe and it's perfectly OK to switch from one tradition if you don't feel you are making sufficient progress.
I wish you all the best and hope you quickly find a suitable tradition.
[There are several books written for Westerners about Buddhism so the one I mentioned is just one of many and probably is no longer the best one but it's fairly comprehensive.]
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