Tuesday, January 23, 2024

February 2024

 February is a small month, but it packs a punch!

African American History Month, Valentine's Day, President's Day, and this year is an extra day long!

2024 is a leap year so February adds the 29th this month. Be sure to say Happy Birthday to those that are naturally born on February 29. They only get to "officially" hear it every 4 years. 

Public Law 99-244 was passed by Congress in 1986 designating February 1986 as "National Black (Afro-American) History Month. The law directed the president to issue a proclamation. This year's theme is celebrating the varied history and life of African American Art and Artisans. Our library is focusing on the impact of the Harlem Renaissance. Our display highlights the talents of Zora Neale Hurston, Count Cullen, Josephine Baker, Louis Armstrong. Take a trip back to the 1920s jazz clubs and cabarets. You can hear the jazz playing low and feel the bustle of the crowd. Imagine just the impact of jazz.. what would Mardi Gras sound like? 

President's Day is February 19 this year. George Washington and Lincoln's Birthday month. Did you know Washington and Lincoln were both self educated men. They were both too poor in their childhood to afford school, but were determined to read and educate themselves about the world. They borrowed books and corresponded with intellectuals to learn as much as possible. Reading led both men to become President, where will reading take you? 


Valentine's Day is February 14th. Have a date? Check out one of our movies and settle in for movie night. Don't have a date? Check out one of our movies and settle in for movie night. 



January 2024


                                                                                            iStock credit exxorian

Happy New Year, 2024!!

A new year and a new beginning...

As humans we seem to be obsessed with new starts and changing habits. New Year's Day has the tradition of people making fresh starts and "New Year Resolutions". A time to break bad habits, organize ourselves and think positively. 

How long does it take to form a habit? People have heard 21-30 days as the rule. However, scientific studies have recently looked into this adage and determined it to be somewhat of a myth. It depends on the person and situation.  

According to a study titled, "What can machine learning teach us about habit formation? Evidence from exercise and hygiene" which was funded by Caltech, they studied handwashing during hospital shifts and gym swipes at 24 Hour Fitness. The data tracked over 30,000 gym members over 4 years and over 3000 workers over 100 hospital shifts. 

Using RFID technology for hand washing and gym card swipes they found that on average a gym habit is built in about 6 months and handwashing in a few weeks. 

Clavin, Whitney. "No Magic Number for Time it Form Habits". Caltech Weekly. April 17, 2023.

https://www.caltech.edu/about/news/no-magic-number-for-time-it-takes-to-form-habits

Depending on the habit it can take between 18-254 to build a habit with 66 days being average. Looking to develop a new habit? Eating healthier? Exercise? Organization? We have a book for that! 

Check out KOHA in Library Services and select from our wide collection. 

Happy New Year! 

Coastal Alabama Library Services