Earth Day from Inside the House

The 50th anniversary of Earth Day, April 22, is going to feel different, since many traditional observances involve a) not staying home and b) getting together in groups. But there are still plenty of ways to celebrate and further the cause of sustainability responsibly through the library.

50 Years of Earth Day graphicThe 50th anniversary of Earth Day, April 22, is going to feel different, since many traditional observances involve a) not staying home and b) getting together in groups. But there are still plenty of ways to celebrate and further the cause of sustainability responsibly through the library.

Sustainability columnist Rebekkah Smith Aldrich offers a variety of virtual resources, including digital event planning help for librarians and a map of digital Earth Day events for library users!

Read Cli-Fi! Science fiction that explores the impact of climate warming presents an empathic lens to make the dangers feel more real, as well as plenty of compelling narrative in its own right. You can find many of these titles through library ebook apps.

For kids, check out these nonfiction titles for every age group from School Library Journal.

Go green at home. DIY quarantine home projects are on the rise. This list includes ebooks that can help with installing solar panels, beginning to compost, gardening with native plants, and tweaking your diet, as well as sources to learn the science behind the advice.

Libraries, too, are changing their behavior to support the planet: New York State Library Association has started certifying sustainable libraries, while the American Library Association has adopted sustainability as a core value.

Be inspired by eco-friendly buildings! Colorado College library achieved Net Zero energy; the Living Building Challenge goes beyond “do no harm” to create structures that actually improve their environment.

Meet Toronto Public Library’s first Environmentalist in Residence and learn about how kids can explore nature even in an urban environment.

Explore the evolution of eco-friendly products from the past via the Building Technology Heritage Library.

Celebrate the literal earth by learning about a “lending library” of Earth core samples.

Virtually visit the British library to give its newly digitized, 3-D, 18th century globes a spin!

Is your library celebrating Earth Day in a creative way this year? Share your story in the comments.

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Meredith Schwartz

mschwartz@mediasourceinc.com

Meredith Schwartz (mschwartz@mediasourceinc.com) is Editor-in-Chief of Library Journal.

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