what about a library card? September 28, 2009

Go green by going digital! Is it really greener?   Here is a blog post in MotherJones about Kindle ebook reader vs books

Kindle’s lifecycle impact is much less [than a book]: In its first year, it offsets the emissions created by its manufacture, and over its lifecycle, its carbon savings even out to about 370 pounds of CO2, or the equivalent of about 22.5 books per year.

But what if you crave paper books than an ebook format? in this article, they also calculate the cost-savings of using your library instead of buying books and the savings to the environment (and your wallet!) in the process.

Read the Cleanteach Group’s report on how green ebook readers are over print books, magazines and newspapers.

[thanks to MVCC for original post]

EcoLibris: It’s Time for a Green Book September 25, 2009

EcoLibris has a project called It’s Time for a Green Book: 1 Day, 100 bloggers, 100 green books, 100 reviews. Their goal is to have at least 100 bloggers, who review books on regular basis, simultaneously publish their book review  on Tuesday, November 10 2009. What is a green book? books that are printed using recycled and FSC certified paper. They are currently preparing a list of at least 100 books that are meeting the “green” criteria and asking publishers to send these to participating bloggers to review. If you want to participate read more on their blog or email  raz@ecolibris.net.

LJ’s Going Green Design Institute

The 6th Library Journal Design Institute will be at the Dallas Public Library this year December 10, 2009 from 9-6pm. Limited to 100 attendees  – but free! - who are those considering a new building project or renovation, and are  in the fundraising or pre-bond stage, or in the early building process. To apply to attend you must submit a double-spaced word document (maximum 200 words), describing  either the larger design problem you are tackling with your new building, renovation, or addition, or a particular aspect of it and included supporting documents as needed.  Sign up here.

Going Green w/ Twitter September 22, 2009

Twitter can be considered a more sustainable, green tool.  Why?   well, it’s  FREE.  You can get your message out quickly to lots of people w/o sending out something in print format.  You can easily and quickly receive info and tips on green topics (which you can then quickly & easily re-tweet) w/o printing, mailing or driving anywhere. You can do it mobilely, wherever you are, w/ less energy cost than a computer. There are lots of bloggers (green blogs, library bloggers) who post their messages via twitter -  a one stop shop.  You can market what green things the library is doing or invite people to a green event through twitter.  Try participating in a conference w/o attending  in person – or at least – read tweets from people at the conference.  Search twitter for references to green & sustainable libraries to find out whats happening around the world.  Use twitter to motitor your energy usage.

For more ways to use Twitter in your library read this article or offer some comments to this blog post!

Going Green @ your library is  on Twitter @greenyourlib

Free “green” ebooks September 18, 2009

Green living related ebooks available through Green National Gardens for free!

• 101 Ways To Living Greener
• Beginners Guide To Organic Gardening
• Beginners Guide To Worm Farming
• How Aromatherapy Can Change Your Life
• Hypermiling: Make Your Car Go Further with Less Gas

Inhabitots

Dealing with young children?  Check out inhabitots: sustainable design for the next generation.  includes some outrageous, some fun, some useful  ideas.  Check out their education section which often has some relevant ecofriendly ideas libraries working with young children might consider such as word/math games, book suggestions, or playground technology.

New green blog to follow September 17, 2009

Late this past spring the Alliance Library System (IL) created Green Blog “designed to help libraries of all sizes and types become more environmentally friendly.”  They have many good blog posts already – some focused on Illinois related initiatives but many can be implemented by a library anywhere.  Their focus is on topics of Environmental Organizations & Initiatives, Financial Resources, Green Buildings, and Programming Ideas. They also have started a list of additional resources and share some of their wonderful brochures and handouts on the  downloadables tab (especially useful one on how to approach your library board)

NPR: How Green Is it?

If you missed NPR’s All Things Considered in August you can still read and listen to the program on their Web site. They did a series on what  Americans are doing and buying to help the environment and analyzed how green these things really are. The series included:  green cars, bring your own bags, green electricity, replacement window, energy star and bamboo.

Energy 101 September 16, 2009

Where do you get your energy? You hear the terms off-grid, smart-grid and renewable, but what does it all mean.  Most of us are connected to a power grid that gets its energy from coal, nuclear, or hydroelectric dams.  But as companies are realizing the effects of carbon emissions on the world they are looking at more sustainable and renewable technologies like wind and solar power.  The problem with renewable sources is they are intermittent and thus smart grids can come into play.  Read more at Inhabitat.com or the  US Dept of Energy (and opportunities through the Recovery Act)

Find out more about how your library’s power is generated – how clean is the electricity you use? Use this EPA tool which graphs via your zip code, your fuel mix and air emissions and compares it to the national average.

eCycling September 11, 2009

This EPA  eCycling page offers some information on  recycling of electronic products like computers, tvs, cell phones, etc.  There is some general information on reusing, recycling and buying green for electronics.You can search via a map for regional and State electronics recycling programs. There is a good list of organization if you are looking to donate or recycle your computer. They also offer some interesting statistics on end of life electronics if you are curious. The Regulations page dives into legislation and mandates on used electronics. Over all is a very useful online information resource for your library or your patrons.