Earth Day in Northfield: Head to the Public Library

Editor's note: The Library Round Table features several guest columnists from the Northfield Public Library. This piece is from reference librarian Jamie Stanley.

Although International Mother Earth Day was officially designated by the
United Nations in 2009 and is now celebrated in 187 countries, it was
originally founded in the United States by Wisconsin State Senator Gaylord
Nelson.

A major oil spill off the Santa Barbara coastline in 1969 was the original
impetus for the Earth Day that was held in the U.S. on April 22, 1970.
Originally conceived by Nelson as an environmental “teach-in,” students on
university and college campuses throughout the U.S. held protests decrying
the destruction of the environment.

We’ve come a long way from the first Earth Day, and eco-consciousness has
now penetrated deep in the American psyche.

The Northfield Library has a full array of books, magazines and audio-
visual materials on subjects related to the environment. A sampling of
subject headings include: organic gardening, small-scale farming, energy
conservation, energy consumption and nature conservation.

Check out The New Normal: An Agenda for Responsible Living by David
Wann. New York: St. Martin’s Griffin, c2011 (396.0973 WA) or The View
From Lazy Point: A Natural Year in an Unnatural World (508 SA) by Carl
Safina. Henry Holt & Company, c2010.

Consider borrowing a Kill-a-Watt electricity usage monitor from the library
for a week. These devices can help you gauge the amount of energy,
including standby power, used by any appliances plugged into it.

The Northfield Library is a MUST VISIT destination for those with a desire
to learn about the many topics associated with Earth Day, save energy and
money and protect the environment.