Libraries will also spread the Christmas spirit during the season of joy. Many libraries have started to provide their own symbolic Advent calendars. For example, the Nurmijärvi library calendar provides musical or dance performances during every day in December. The Hyvinkää Laurea library advent calendar presents the library offering through book recommendations. The Entresse Multicultural Library in Espoo hosts the Freedom of Speech calendar on a giant screen, opening one book daily that was banned at one point in time in some country. The Sello library in Leppävaara, Espoo, uses a video advent calendar to present stories of adventuring forest animals.
In fact, libraries cater to all sorts of Christmas activities. Many libraries host Christmas concerts and serve gingerbread cookies, for example. The Tapanila library serves a cup of morning coffee for early newspaper readers in December.
What is the situation abroad? In many countries, libraries are important meeting places also during the Christmas season. For example, the Charles and JoAnn Lester Library in the City of Nekoosa, Wisconsin, USA, will throw a proper feast this Christmas season. In early December, the nearly 100 year old library catered a breakfast together with Santa Claus himself, organised workshops for local artisans and a gingerbread decoration workshop, a cooking competition for fiery chilli dishes, horse rides, hot cider and a full Christmas parade to top things off. On 16 December, the library will devote the entire day to a special rock legend with a brand new chart-topping autobiography, Life. The man is no other than Keith Richards, the world-famous guitarist for the Rolling Stones, and also an avid friend of books and libraries. Nekoosa library will celebrate Keith with a variety of competitions – and naturally by playing the Rolling Stones non-stop. Not too loud, however, promise the library rockers.
Did you know that according to Keith Richards himself, his secret dream profession is a librarian?
Imagine the Central Library in the wintery and snowy scenery. What kind of Christmas programme would you like to enjoy? How about a poetic sledge ride around Töölönlahti?
Source: wisconsinrapidstribune.com