Chinese New Year or Spring Festival is the most important of the traditional Chinese holidays.  This year it begins on Monday, January 26th.  Chinese New Year is a holiday that celebrates the beginning of a new year according to the lunar calendar.  It is considered to be one of the most important holidays for Chinese families.  The holiday is celebrated with big family gatherings, gift giving, the eating of symbolic foods and display of festive decorations--all focused on bringing good luck for the new year and celebrating the coming of Spring.  The children's programs here at the library (Story Hour and Kids' First Afterschool Program) this week have the the Chinese New Year theme.  They will be hearing stories on the Chinese New Year, participating in activities and creating crafts that have to do with this theme also.