130 Local Families Celebrate Diwali at the Livingston Public Library

More than 130 Livingston residents dropped by to celebrate Diwali at the Livingston Public Library on Oct 21. This was the library’s first ever Diwali celebration.

Diwali is the Festival of Lights and Hindu New Year. This was the latest event in the library’s new Cultural Program series. The festivities included firecracker noisemakers with candy inside, a word search with English words originally from Indian languages, and Rangoli.

Rangoli, as seen in this photo, is a folk art from India usually made on the floor using colored rice, flour, or petals, and is used in a welcoming area. In the Livingston Library’s version, children used black construction paper and outdoor chalk.

Anna Coats took on the role of Head of Youth Services in April. She began the Cultural Program series in August. The first event in the series was Eid al-Fitr, with over 100 people in attendance. Anna also hosted events for Mid-Autumn Festival, Rosh Hashanah, and Sukkot with Children’s Librarian Amanda Winter.

Since the school year started, the library has seen 20 to 30 children for drop in events. Anna and the Livingston Public Library were therefore excited to see 130 people in attendance for the Diwali drop in event.

“I am happy to see such a positive response from the community,” Coats said. “I will plan something bigger next year.”

Coats is encouraging members of the community to contribute ideas for programs at the Livingston Public Library.

“I love hearing ideas from the community for future events,” Coats added.

The next drop in programs at Livingston Public Library will be Thursday, Nov. 13 for Thanksgiving, where children will make 3D paper fruits and vegetables for their cornucopias.

Photo courtesy of Anna Coats