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The library is open to mid-high students before classes begin in the morning. Students are encouraged to come in and exchange books during that time.We are also open during the lunch hour for students who would like to read or study quietly.

Multicultural Holidays and Celebrations - Months of December and January

December 1st - World AIDS Day

An annual day of recognition of AIDS—to remember those who have died, to acknowledge the need for continued commitment to care for those who are HIV/AIDS positive and to support the research to find a cure. http://www.omsa.uiuc.edu/publications/espectrum/2005_2_3/articles/diduknow_worldaidsmonth.htm

December 10th - International Human Rights Day

This was established by the United Nations in 1948 and commemorates the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

December 21st - Winter Solstice

Winter Solstice or the first day of winter occurs on or around December 22. This is the shortest day of the year in the Northern hemisphere..

December 21st - 28th - Chanukah [Hanukkah]

Jewish holiday also known as the Festival of Lights is an eight-day festival. Each evening candles are lit on the "menorah" (candelabra), adding one candle each night. Hanukkah is a time for playing games ("dreidel" or a spinning top is a popular Chanukah game) and singing, for visiting and for giving gifts.

December 25th - Christmas

Christmas (Christian) is the day associated with Jesus' birth. It is celebrated on December 25 by Western churches and on January 7 the following year by Eastern Orthodox churches.

December 26th - January 1st - Kwanzaa

Kwanzaa is an African-American holiday started by Maulana Karenga, an African world scholar, in 1966. It is based on the agricultural celebrations of Africa called "the first fruits" celebrations. Kwanzaa is a cultural holiday, not a religious one, thus available to and practiced by Africans of all religious faiths.

January 1st -New Year's Day; Gantan Sai; St. Basil's Feast Day

New Years Day (Traditional) is observed in all the countries following the Gregorian calendar.

Gantan Sai also known as Shogatu (Shinto) New Year popularly celebrated in Japan. New Year festival observed with prayers for inner renewal. Japanese welcome in the New Year with prayers for renewal of hearts, good health and prosperity. They wear their best clothes and visit shrines in large numbers. During the seven days of the holiday, people visit one another's homes to offer good wishes for the New Year.

St. Basil’s Feast Day (Greek Orthodox Christian) the New Year is celebrated to commemorate the kindness and generosity of St. Basil towards the poor. St. Basil was the forefather of the Greek Orthodox Church.

January 15th - Martin Luther KIng Day

This commemorates the birth of Martin Luther King Jr. who was born on January 15th, 1929. One of the world’s best known advocates of non-violent social change, King was the recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in December of 1964. He was assassinated on April 4th, 1968, and remains a symbol of the struggle for civil rights.

We hope you eat an apple today, and every day. Apples are delicious. Apples are nutritious. That's a great combination. Apples date back to the garden of Eden. In that garden, the Bible tells us it was the "Forbidden fruit". It is really easy to participate in this special day. There are thousands of varieties of apples grown all over the planet. Your mission today, is to pick an apple among all of these varieties, and eat it.

Have you been good all year? Have you been Naughty? Or, have you been nice? Santa knows. Santa's Elves have been everywhere, checking up on children all over the world, to see who has been naughty, and who has been nice. Thanks to the hard work of his elves, Santa now has two lists. The short list contains the names of a few children who have been naughty. A much longer list is filled with the names of children who have been good all year long.

You should brace yourself for bizarre and crazy behavior, from all of the people you encounter today. Even normally conservative people have been known to go a little crazy on this day. Some people say this is a day for wackos, lunatics, and others who are off their rocker. We say, it is simply a day to cut loose, act a little weird.

Its a great day to indulge, binge, "pig out", and otherwise consume to excess, your favorite food....chocolate. We believe the timing of this day, during the holiday season, couldn't be better. Today, we get to enjoy our beloved chocolate by covering something...just about anything... in a generous amount of chocolate. Pour, spread, or drizzle chocolate over cakes, cupcakes, pies, pancakes or waffles, nuts, raisins, even ants (yes, some people actually eat chocolate covered ants!). We will let you decide what is too extreme, and how much is too much, if any

We hope you see the light. Literally looking on the bright side may be a bit difficult today. It is winter solstice, the shortest day of the year. And, December days tend to be cloudy. However, we're going to be optimistic, and fully expect you to succeed. Look on the Bright Side Day is a day to be optimistic. The term itself is an optimistic one. It calls upon us to look for something positive, out of an otherwise bad or sad situation. Often, a bad experience has positive lessons to be learned.

No, you are not dreaming. But, perhaps you should be. Festival of Sleep Day is today. It is an opportunity to sleep in, snooze, doze, nap, and catch 40 winks. We feel this is the perfect date for Festival of Sleep Day. The holidays are over...Wow, weren't they exhausting! It's cold and snowy.... time to hibernate. And, why not re-charge the batteries as a new year of school and work begins?

This is an opportunity to snuggle up to someone on a cold winters' day or night. Chances are it's cold outside. So, cozy up to a special someone, and enjoy the warmth and love. This day is enjoyed by both young and old.

If you are peculiar, this is your day to be honored and appreciated. Chances are, you will find something peculiar about yourself, if you look hard enough. If you can't find anything peculiar about yourself, then give some recognition and appreciation to your quirky friends and family.

Some pets like to get dressed up. Others, want nothing to do with it. This day is an opportunity to really dress up your pet(s). Make something for them to wear. Or, go to a pet store and buy an outfit. It's winter, so something warm is best.

Celebrate today by measuring your feet. Both of them. Measure the length. Then, measure the width. For a little fun, see if you can measure someone else's feet.

This is a day to do everything backwards. Use your imagination, and Backward Day can be lots of fun. Try writing backwards or reading backwards. Wear your shirt with the back in the front. Eat your meal, starting with dessert. Now that's what I call fun! Walk backwards, or talk backwards. Play a board game backwards, from the finish line to the start.