Mt. Lebanon Public Library kicks off Jolabokaflod

Try wrapping your tongue around “Jolabokaflod.”
Although he admits that it might not pass muster in Reykjavik, David McKibben gives a creditable pronunciation of the Icelandic tradition.

Harry Funk / The Almanac
Harry Funk / The Almanac
David Vaughan was one of the members of the Southminster Ringers who played holiday favorites during Jolabokaflod.
“It’s such a word that it reminds you of the Swedish Chef,” he said about the Scandinavian-sounding mainstay of “The Muppets.” “You say it, and people start to smile.”
McKibben, president of the Friends of Mt. Lebanon Public Library, was one of the many volunteers in attendance for the library’s Nov. 17 kickoff of its own Jolabokaflod.
- The multisyllabic tongue twister translates roughly as “the Christmas book flood,” as Icelanders apparently love to exchange books for the holidays. That’s because they’re avid readers: A 2013 study by Bifröst University – located in Iceland’s Valley of Norurárdalur, in case you’re curious – found that half the country’s population read at least eight books a year.
“Even the publishers in that part of the world gear all of their new introductions to the holiday season because it’s such a popular gift item,” McKibben explained.

Harry Funk / The Almanac
Harry Funk / The Almanac
For those who would like to help bring the Jolabokaflod tradition to suburban Pittsburgh, Mt. Lebanon Public Library is continuing its annual holiday book sale right up through the latter stages of December. Proceeds go toward the Friends’ mission of providing financial support for the library, something the group has been doing since 1932.
“Anything that we get that is gift quality, or anything that looks unusual, we put it aside and put that out every year for the holiday sale,” McKibben said, and that includes a variety of items beyond purely reading materials.
He credited Friends member Karen Brown and library associate director Sharon Bruni with coming up with the idea for the local version of Jolabokaflod, which had a trial run last December. This year’s celebration featured local artists and vendors, along with a performance by the young adult ensemble of the Southminster Ringers, based across the street from the library at Southminster Presbyterian Church and directed by Richard Pinkerton.

Harry Funk / The Almanac
Harry Funk / The Almanac
Local artist Judé Ernest shows some of her wearables during Jolabokaflod.
- As far as Iceland’s Jólabókafló – that’s how they spell it there – the tradition began during World War II, according to jolabokaflod.org: “Paper was one of the few commodities not rationed during the war, so Icelanders shared their love of books even more as other types of gifts were short supply.”
“During the festive season, gifts are opened on Dec. 24 and, by tradition, everyone reads the books they have been given straight away, often while drinking hot chocolate or alcohol-free Christmas ale called jólabland.
Try wrapping your tongue around that one, too.
For more information about Mt. Lebanon Public Library, visit www.mtlebanonlibrary.org.

Harry Funk / The Almanac
Harry Funk / The Almanac
Gifts purchased during the holiday book (and other items) sale benefits Mt. Lebanon Public Library.