>> 100 Ways to Make Your Library a Little Greener. Tips to get you started on turning your library into a little green utopia. Many of the tips, like setting up a bike rack or using green cleaners, are actually smart green ideas for any green office, but plenty more, like making those book checkout receipts optional, are specific to libraries.

>> Sell your pre-loved books to Better World Books, which’ll donate some of the revenues to literacy programs worldwide as well as get carbon offsets every shipment. Of course, selling or donating your books to any reseller, bookstore, library, or thrift store’s a greener move than simply throwing your book into the recycling bin. Share the reading pleasure –

>> Upcycle books into art. Artist Lisa Occhipinti turns old books into literary mobiles, hanging spheres and table sculptures. If you lack the crafty skills to create your own, you can buy Lisa’s work on Etsy.

>> Expect greener books in the future. The Book Industry Environmental Council announced new enviro initiatives last week. The goal: Lower the U.S. book industry’s greenhouse gas emissions by 20% from 2006 rates by 2020, 80% by 2050. Since that Council includes representatives from companies that together account for about 60% of the market share, quite a significant chunk of the book industry’s part of the commitment.

Earlier: 30 books in 30 days — Green reading tips, compiled.

Photo of the LEED-certified Santa Monica Main Public Library

0 Comments