Odum Library Blog

No doubt many of us are done with work and shopping and ready to relax and just enjoy the holidays. If you’re not yet to that point–or even if you are–these holiday tips from various U.S. government agencies can help you save money, handle holiday chores, and brighten your season.

USA.gov is posting 12 Days of Holiday Tips that include buying safe toys, recycling, and avoiding weight gain. For help entertaining children as well as keeping the spirit of the season, see these Holiday Tips for Kids from Kids.gov.

The White House Historical Association, the U.S. Capitol Historical Society, and various federal agencies offer commemorative holiday ornaments and souvenir and gift items.

Constitution Ornament available from the United States Capitol Historical Society

Suggestions for other gifts include annual National Park and Recreation Area passes; NASA souvenirs, toys, and apparel; official flags flown over the U.S. Congress; and the Library of Congress shop’s books, prints, apparel, and novelties for history and book lovers, where you can purchase this tribute to President Lincoln:

Bobblehead of President Lincoln, courtesy Library of Congress

This year’s White House holiday season theme is  “Shine, Give, Share,” in tribute to the U.S. military troops, veterans, and families.  You can view the White House’s holiday decor and watch online slide shows of current and past First Family celebrations, including First Family pets in the White House, and videos and photos of the 2011 National Tree Lighting Ceremony.

Finally, as Christmas Eve draws closer, remember that NORAD (the North Atlantic Aerospace Defense Command) lets you track Santa’s world flight in multiple languages. See these FAQs to learn the dimensions of Santa’s sleigh, how old Santa is, and more.  Admire the beauty of the night sky in this November 8 lunar eclipse photo, posted by NASA:

Lunar eclipse over North Carolina, copyright David Cortner

Why go to the movies when you can read one instead?

Courtesy of Zach Weiner @ Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal

For the sake of comparison, consider:

Going to the movies:

• The national average for movie tickets is going on $8.
• You’ll watch about 30 minutes of previews and 2 hours of entertainment.
• You can buy really expensive snacks or feel immoral for sneaking them in.

Reading a book:

• Books offer hours and days of enjoyment!
• They’re free for checkout at the library!
• You can read them over and over!
• You can read them anywhere, not just in a dark room with soda and popcorn all over the floor.
• This holiday season, you can read them at home while you’re trying to avoid interaction with extended family members.
• We can’t guarantee it, but there probably won’t be anyone kicking your chair while you read.

So, what are you waiting for? The library is open this week. Come check out a movie you can read (we also call them books). Here are some of our movies in book form:

Atonement by Ian McEwan

The Lincoln Lawyer by Michael Connelly

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney

Scott Pilgrim (comic book) by Bryan Lee O’Malley

True Grit by Charles Portis

Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane

(Did you notice that we didn’t mention the Ilighttway series? Oh… until now. Oops.)

Of course, we don’t have anything against watching movie-movies if that’s what you prefer. Check out some of our newest DVDs here.

On December 6, 1941, Japanese aircraft bombed the U.S. Naval Base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. Today is  National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, which annually marks the event that immediately precipitated the U.S. entry into World War II.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt signs the declaration of war against Japan Dec. 8, 1941. Courtesy National Archives and Records Administration Still Picture Branch.

Please remember to visit Odum Library’s first floor exhibit of materials about World War II in honor of all who have served in the armed forces, on display through fall semester.

GALILEO, the University System of Georgia Virtual Library initiative, offers links to resources about National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.

USA.gov provides additional government material about Pearl Harbor and its remembrance, including links to photos, videos, and historical documents from the Library of Congress and the National Archives and Records Administration.

A new publication from the U.S. Government Printing Office highlights the renovation of the Jekyll Island Historical Power Plant into the Georgia Sea Turtle Center.

The Georgia Sea Turtle Center is located in the renovated Jekyll Island Historic Power Plant.

Funded by grants from the Environmental Protection Agency and partnerships among the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation, the Jekyll Island Authority,  and the Jekyll Island Foundation, the cleanup and restoration of the former power plant made the building safe and efficient for modern uses.

Find out about other Cleanups in My Community programs around the country, including Georgia.

If you’re planning to visit the Sea Turtle Center sometime, it’ll host a special visitor on December 17th.

Santa will visit the Georgia Sea Turtle Center Dec. 17th