Community input: Aurora Public Library District Holiday Celebrations in Many Lands

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Holiday celebrants can stop at the Aurora Public Library District (APLD) in December to enjoy our annual Holiday Celebrations in Many Lands Exhibition! Each year, families, organizations, and businesses from our community come together at the Library to decorate a space to honor the unique celebrations and rituals common to a diverse array of countries and cultures. From Armenia to Kwanzaa and the Winter Solstice, the exhibition aspires to a broad and varied portfolio of global representation, aiming for an inclusive approach to holiday celebration that acknowledges both the ubiquitousness of a collective holiday experience and the rich diversity of the traditions we uphold.

“Holiday celebrations operate across the world to write and tell our cultural stories, those that are unique to our communities, families, and homelands. It is important that we share those stories with each other,” said Krista Danis, events and program coordinator.

To continue our work as one Aurora and one Library, the exhibit will be shared among our three library buildings, including Santori Library, Eola Road Branch, and West Branch. Make sure to visit each location between Sunday, Dec. 5 and Monday, Jan. 3, 2022 to see the complete display!

With our newest strategic plan initiative, Advancing Through Equity, the Library seeks to support our community by embedding equity, diversity, and inclusion into every facet of our organization. In service to this mission, we are committed to ensuring that Library services, programs, and resources represent a diversity of cultures and perspectives. We offer the exhibit as a living and conscientious recognition of our resolve to grow towards a more equitable approach to holiday celebration, one that has room to be intentional, responsive, and responsible. For this reason, we are soliciting input from the whole community to help us keep the original spirit of Holiday Celebrations in Many Lands alive in the tradition of inclusivity. Please reach out to Krista Danis, events and program coordinator, at 630-264-4145 or kdanis@aurorapubliclibrary.org with your suggestions, input, and feedback.

Finally, we would love to see how you celebrate the winter holidays at home! For the second year, we will be presenting Holiday Celebrations in Many Homes, a virtual showcase of your best and unique holiday decorating traditions from home or business. As we emerge from the pandemic with ongoing efforts at restoring and reopening, we will continue to offer such hybrid options to increase community engagement and gain access to Library events.

Please consider submitting a photo to kdanis@aurorapubliclibrary.org, or dropping one off at the Santori Library, c/o Krista Danis, at 101 S. River Street. The slideshow will air on Christmas Eve, Friday, Dec. 24, at 5 p.m. on the library YouTube page at www.youtube.com/c/AuroraPublicLibraryIL. You can check out last year’s show at www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjgYcZEao3w

We look forward to your help in making the library and your community sparkle this season!

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