Jane Austen

Jane Austen, one of English literature’s most beloved authors, was born on this day in 1775.  Her novels are read and loved by people all over the world.  Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility and Emma are among her most popular works.  In the last decade or so there has been a massive surge in popularity for Austen’s novels. This has resulted in many films and television adaptations of her books.  Moreover, another sign of Austen’s popularity is the plethora of new stories based on her works (e.g. Longbourn), including some strange mash-ups (e.g. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies), as well as many stories that are simply about the fans of Austen (e.g. Jane Austen Book Club).

My personal favourite among Austen’s novels is Pride and Prejudice.

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Bodhi Day

BuddhaThe religion known as Buddhism dates back to the 6th or 5th Century BCE, when the Indian Prince Siddhartha Gautama became the “Buddha,” literally, “the Enlightened One.” The followers of the Mahayana branch of Buddhism observes Bodhi Day in celebration of the day that the Buddha sat below the Bodhi Tree and meditated on the meaning of life. Bodhi Day is celebrated mainly by the Buddhists of northern and eastern Asia (in Japan the day is known as Rohatsu) and in countries to which those people have immigrated (such as Canada). For more on Bodhi Day and the life of the Buddha, click here.

Get a Christmas Card of you with Buck!

buckandfriends2013xmasHelp out the local Food Bank and the Reading Tree program.  A donation of three cans of food, or two new or used books, earns you a photo opportunity with Buck the Library Duck, and a custom made Christmas Card to share with friends and family!

Starting December 2, come down to the School Library to take advantage of this incredible holiday tradition!

Get a Christmas Card featuring a picture of you with Buck!

thiscouldbeyouHelp out the local Food Bank and the Reading Tree program.  A donation of three cans of food, or two new or used books, earns you a photo opportunity with Buck the Library Duck, and a custom made Christmas Card to share with friends and family!

Starting December 2, come down to the School Library to take advantage of this incredible holiday tradition!

Holidays and Holy Days

readingbuddieselfThe “Holiday Season” is upon us! In North America, the unofficial start to the Holidays is American Thanksgiving. As usual, in the school library we celebrate a month of  “Holidays and Holy Days!” We feature a “spectacular display” of materials (both online and in person!) related to Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Yule, Bodhi Day. the Winter Solstice, New Year’s, Festivus and other wonderful feasts, festivals and observances.  Stay posted for more here on this site, and visit us in person as we celebrate “Holidays and Holy Days.”

Hanukkah

source: Roylindman at en.wikipedia

Jews in Canada and around the world celebrate Hanukkah starting at sundown tonight. The Festival of Lights is a celebration of God’s deliverance and provision. The event began in remembrance of Maccabean revolt in the 2nd Century BCE, when the Hebrews recaptured the Temple in Jerusalem, the spiritual centre of Judaism. Each candle of the Menorah is lit, one per day for the 8 day Festival. Like all Jewish Holy Days, which follow the lunar Hebrew Calendar, Hanukkah can occur anytime from late November to late December according to the Gregorian Calendar. This year Hanukkah will conclude on the evening of Thursday, December 5. For more information on Hanukkah, check out some of the following:

Check out our display: “Holidays & Holy Days”

Day of the Covenant

source: bahai.org

On November 26, people of the Baha’i faith celebrate the Day of the Covenant. This is a Holy Day on the Baha’i calendar, a celebration of Baha’u’llah’s appointment of his eldest son, ‘Abdu’l-Baha, as the Center of His Covenant.

As we enter season of “Holidays and Holy Days” we will look at the celebrations and festivals of Canadians, and people from around the world, who represent a wide variety of religions, beliefs and cultures.

For more on the Baha’i faith, including its festivals and holy days, check out some of the following links:

Baha’i Faith (International)

Baha’i Canada

Baha’i USA

Religious Tolerance