IC Press-Citizen: Make every day Earth Day with help from the library
April 14, 2012
By Maeve Clark, Iowa City Press-Citizen
Earth Day was conceived to heighten awareness and appreciation for the Earth’s natural environment, and although April 22 officially is Earth Day, we can make every day Earth day. A great way to go green is to borrow materials from the Iowa City Public Library.
Let’s start with the young ones. “I Love Dirt: 52 Activities to Help You and Your Kids Discover the Wonders of Nature,” by Jennifer Ward, is an excellent source for all kinds of great ways to explore nature.
Do you want to grow your own vegetables and you don’t have much space? “Apartment Gardening: Plants, Projects, and Recipes for Growing Food in Your Urban Home,” by Amy Pennington, is a handy manual full of information on how to grow plants in small spaces. The book is full of wonderful tips, recipes and information on all the best things to grow at your house, condo or apartment.
If you are interested in organic gardening, the library subscribes to Mother Earth News and Organic Gardening, two champions of the organic gardening movement. These items are just a small sample of our many titles on all aspects of gardening.
Are you considering a green building project and need advice? “Complete Idiot’s Guide to Green Building and Remodeling,” by John Barrows and Lisa Iannucci, provides guidance on topics such as how to select heating and cooling equipment and how to integrate green materials into your home design process.
Another take on green building is using salvaged materials. “Building with Secondhand Stuff: How to Re-claim, Re-vamp, Re-purpose and Re-use Salvaged and Leftover Building Materials,” by Chris Peterson, begins with the deconstruction process and finishes with the incorporation of salvaged materials into your project. Using salvaged materials can lower the cost of a project and also keep materials from ending up in the landfill. A double-win.
And don’t forget the simplicity movement. Doing more with less is a cornerstone of the environmental movement whether it is building, gardening, cooking, cleaning, investing or even parenting. “Simple Living with Wanda Urbanska,” a DVD from University of North Carolina Television, shares Urbanksa’s tips and tools on living stress free by simplifying all aspects of your life.
“Lighten Up: Love What You Have, Have What You Need, Be Happier with Less,” by Peter Walsh, concentrates on how to define priorities in your life by using three audits. Walsh will help you create a road map to a less-is-more way of living.
If you are really serious about simplifying your life, a yard sale might be in order. “The Pocket Idiot’s Guide to Garage and Yard Sales,” by Cathy Pedigo, gives novices everything they need to know to have a successful sale from the best time to have it, the how-to on advertising, pricing and, finally, finding a home for those unsold items.
Explore these and other library materials for all ages and interests that can help you build and maintain a sustainable world.
Maeve Clark is the reference and instruction department coordinator at the Iowa City Public Library. For more staff recommendations and reviews, go to http://staffpicks.icpl.org/. Browse the library’s collection of environmentally minded materials on the second floor at 123 S. Linn St.
STORY SOURCE: Iowa City Press-Citizen. Click here to see the story on the IC Press-Citizen website.
