OSKALOOSA, IOWA — The Oskaloosa Community Schools would like to express its gratitude to Book Vault and the community members who participated in the “Christmas Around the World” event in November.

The initiative aimed to spread the joy of reading and cultural diversity by encouraging individuals and families to donate books to school libraries.

The event, titled “Jolabokaflod” (translating to “Yule Book Flood” in Icelandic), took place on Saturday, November 18. Book Vault, a community-minded bookstore, spearheaded the effort by inviting individuals to purchase books for both personal enjoyment and donation to Oskaloosa Schools libraries.

“We are very grateful to Book Vault for including us in their Christmas Around the World event, and we are so thankful to community members who donated books to our libraries. We are incredibly lucky to live in such a generous community with so much support for our schools,” said Rebecca Bock, 6-12 Teacher Librarian.

The community response was overwhelming, with Book Vault presenting a number of books to the schools. The middle school was gifted an impressive 22 books, while the high school gratefully accepted seven.

“This initiative not only enriches our libraries, but also fosters a love for reading and learning among our students,” Bock said. “The support from Book Vault and the community is truly uplifting.”

The commitment to education and literacy showcased by the participants is a testament to the community’s dedication to supporting the growth and development of its students.

For more information, please contact Rebecca Bock at bockr@oskycsd.org.