Collection Developments @ Sno-Isle

of course, number one on the list should be your local library and their blog, chat tool, online catalogue, 24-hour reference, booklists, etc.  ;)  80 Online Resources for Book Lovers

Library Journal has a nice article and list of titles on sustainability including a history of the concept, major publishers in the field. Interestingly enough, most people cannot define the concept although they support the idea of going green. Here are the starred titles with annotations from that list.

REFERENCE

*The New Atlas of Planet Management. Univ. of California. 2005. 304p. ed. by Norman Myers & Jennifer Kent. illus. index. ISBN 978-0-520-23879-4. pap. $39.95.

With text contributions from eminent scientists and graphics that will appeal to a wide audience, this update of the 1984 groundbreaking state-of-the-planet survey offers a revelation on nearly every page.

GENERAL WORKS

*Edwards, Andres R. The Sustainability Revolution: Portrait of a Paradigm Shift.New Society. 2005. 206p. index. ISBN 978-0-86571-531-8. pap. $16.95.

A clear, concise articulation of sustainability: its history, its principles, and its future.

*McNeill, J.R. Something New Under the Sun: An Environmental History of the Twentieth-Century World.Norton. 2000. 421p. illus. bibliog. index. ISBN 978-0-393-32183-8. pap. $18.95.

An immensely learned yet highly readable history of modern humanity’s sorry impact on the planet’s ecosystems. (LJ 4/1/00)

*Worldchanging: A User’s Guide for the 21st Century.Abrams. 2006. 596p. ed. by Alex Steffen. illus. bibliog. index. ISBN 978-0-8109-3095-7. $37.50.

This hefty compendium offers workable tips for achieving sustainability. Especially valuable is the source list; the web site (www.worldchanging.com) is also useful. (LJ Xpress Reviews, 12/19/06)

THE STATE OF THE WORLD

*Meadows, Donella & others.Limits to Growth: The 30-Year Update. Chelsea Green. 2004. 338p. illus. index. ISBN 978-1-931498-58-6. pap. $22.50.

First published in 1972 to some controversy, this became an international best seller. The update is every bit as alarming, concluding that the world is in a potentially catastrophic “overshoot” mode. What’s needed? A sustainability revolution.

*Nielson, Ron. The Little Green Handbook: Seven Trends Shaping the Future of Our Planet.Picador. 2006. 365p. index. ISBN 978-0-312-42581-4. pap. $15.

Nuclear physicist Nielson is an unlikely environmentalist. His blunt and exhaustively researched guide makes complex ideas and supporting statistics intelligible to a wide variety of readers. For reference and circulating collections.

*Speth, James Gustave. Red Sky at Morning: America and the Crisis of the Global Environment.Yale Univ. 2005. 329p. index. ISBN 978-0-300-10776-0. pap. $16.

A sobering analysis of why international attempts to protect the environment have failed. With a “Resources for Citizens” chapter.

*Worldwatch Institute. Vital Signs 2007–2008: The Trends That Are Shaping Our Future.Norton. 2007. 166p. illus. index. ISBN 978-0-393-33129-5. pap. $18.95.

Along with Worldwatch’s State of the World, these annuals are key sources of world environmental, economic, and social data.

ENERGY

*Evans, Robert L. Fueling Our Future: An Introduction to Sustainable Energy.Cambridge Univ. 2007. 180p. illus. bibliog. index. ISBN 978-0-521-68448-4. pap. $24.99.

Evans (director, Clean Energy Research Ctr., Univ. of British Columbia) outlines current energy demands and supply, then explains how our reliance on fossil fuels can be switched to a more sustainable supply mix. For students and general readers.

*Gipe, Paul. Wind Power: Renewable Energy for Home, Farm, and Business.Chelsea Green. 2004. 496p. illus. bibliog. index. ISBN 978-1-931498-14-2. pap. $50.

The bible on wind energy has been updated from the 1993 original. Writes Gipe, “Wind works. It’s reliable. It’s economical. It makes environmental sense. And it’s here now.”

*Pahl, Greg. The Citizen Powered Energy Handbook: Community Solutions to a Global Crisis.Chelsea Green. 2007. 347p. illus. index. ISBN 978-1-933392-12-7. pap. $21.95.

In this readable overview of energy alternatives, environmental journalist Pahl argues that ordinary citizens—ahead of governments and utilities—must take their energy future into their own hands now.

*Schaeffer, John. Real Goods Solar Living Sourcebook: Your Complete Guide to Renewable Energy Technologies and Sustainable Living. 30th anniversary ed. New Society. 2007. 634p. illus. index. ISBN 978-0-916571-06-1. pap. $35.

A catalog of renewable energy (not just solar) products by the president of Real Goods, celebrating its 30th anniversary this year as a pioneer in green products.

*Scheckel, Paul. The Home Energy Diet: How To Save Money by Making Your House Energy-Smart. New Society. (Mother Earth News Wiser Living). 2005. 307p. illus. index. ISBN 978-0-86571-530-1. pap. $19.95.

An energy auditor educates readers on how to make their homes more energy efficient.

SHELTER

*Snell, Clarke & Tim Callahan. Building Green: A Complete How-To Guide to Alternative Building Methods.Lark, dist. by Sterling. 2005. 615p. illus. index. ISBN 978-1-57990-532-3. pap. $29.95.

Snell (The Good House Book) and builder/contractor Callahan discuss the theory and philosophy behind green building and then take readers step by step (blunders included) through the design and construction of their own charming house. Nice color photographs. (LJ 3/1/06)

FOOD/AGRICULTURE

*Henderson, Elizabeth & Robyn Van En. Sharing the Harvest: A Citizen’s Guide to Community Supported Agriculture. rev. ed. Chelsea Green. 2007. 292p. illus. bibliog. ISBN 978-1-933392-10-3. pap. $35.

Community-supported agriculture (CSA) unites consumers interested in safe food with farmers seeking stable markets. Here is easy-to-follow practical advice on getting started, choosing a farm, handling financial concerns, etc. (LJ 6/15/99)

*Weinstein, Jay. The Ethical Gourmet: How To Enjoy Great Food That Is Humanely Raised, Sustainable, Nonendangered and That Replenishes the Earth.Broadway. 2006. 353p. bibliog. index. ISBN 978-0-7679-1834-3. pap. $18.95.

Food writer Weinstein’s guide to socially responsible eating stresses such sustainable practices as buying locally grown, organic produce.

BUSINESS/ECONOMICS

*Hitchcock, Darcy & Marsha Willard. The Business Guide to Sustainability: Practical Strategies and Tools for Organizations. Earthscan. 2007. 248p. bibliog. index. ISBN 978-1-84407-320-7. pap. $49.95.

Managers in small and mid-size companies trying to move their business toward sustainability will find this user-friendly title very helpful.

*McKibben, Bill. Deep Economy: The Wealth of Communities and the Durable Future.Times Bks: Holt. 2007. 261p. bibliog. index. ISBN 978-0-8050-7626-4. $25.

If you thought more-more-more was best, McKibben asks you to think again.

DESIGN

*McDonough, William & Michael Braungart. Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things.North Point: Farrar. 2002. 193p. bibliog. ISBN 978-0-86547-587-8. pap. $27.50.

This “treeless” book, made from synthetic paper, is a manifesto to rethink recycling—that is in “cradle to cradle” cycles in which materials are perpetually circulated in closed loops.

LIFESTYLE

*Hunter, Linda Mason & Mikki Halpin. Green Clean: The Environmentally Sound Guide to Cleaning Your Home. Melcher Media: DK. 2005. 176p. ISBN 978-1-59591-004-2. pap. $17.95.

DK used Melcher’s DuraBooks synthetic paper technology in producing this helpful ecohousekeeping guide, which can be safely stored under the sink with the baking soda and vinegar.

*Merkel, Jim. Radical Simplicity: Small Footprints on a Finite Earth.New Society. 2003. 288p. illus. bibliog. index. ISBN 978-0-86571-473-1. pap. $17.95.

Merkel, who quit his job as a military engineer after the Exxon Valdez disaster, guides readers to personal sustainability through the use of ecological footprinting and cultivating a love for nature.

*Wann, David. Simple Prosperity: Finding Real Wealth in a Sustainable Lifestyle. Griffin: St. Martin’s. 2007. 304p. illus. bibliog. ISBN 978-0-312-36141-9. pap. $14.95.

Like Thoreau, Wann (Affluenza) urges us to simplify, simplify, simplify, and focus on not the “quantity” of life but on the things that really matter.

DVD

*Blue Vinyl. color. 98 min. Judith Helfand & Daniel B. Gold, Docurama, www.docurama.com. 2002. DVD ISBN 978-0-7670-7595-4. $26.95.

Viewers may not know whether to laugh or be afraid as Helfand delves deeper into her parents’ seemingly innocuous decision to upgrade the family home with pretty blue vinyl cladding. Her documentary taps a theme common in sustainability literature: Where does stuff come from? Where does it go? (LJ 2/15/05)

*A Crude Awakening: The Oil Crash. color. 85+ min. Basil Gelpke & Ray McCormack,Docurama, www.docurama.com. 2007. DVD ISBN 978-0-7670-9851-9. $26.95.

A “shock doc” that explores the oil industry and its impact on the world economy. Harrowing opening images of abandoned oil fields in Azerbaijan set the tone.

MAGAZINES

*Adbusters. 1989. bi-m. $38. Adbusters Media Fdn., 1243 W. 7th Ave., Vancouver, BC V6H 1B7, Canada; 800-663-1243; www.adbusters.org. ISSN 0847-9097.

Proud sponsor of “Buy Nothing Day.” Its arch take on consumerism and the fuel that drives it—advertising—makes for refreshing reading. (LJ 10/15/99)

WEBSITES

*Big Picture TV

www.bigpicture.tv

This site streams free video clips of leading experts, activists, and thinkers in environmental and social sustainability. An excellent resource for teachers looking to bring speakers into the classroom.

*Sustainability

sustainability.publicradio.org

American Public Media gathers sustainability stories from its radio programs as well as blogs and other multimedia sources.

Overbooked has a great list of books about pirates including adult fiction and nonfiction. They overlooked one of my favorites, Dragon’s Plunder by Brad Strickland which is sadly out of print. But for my money a terrific list.

We should own the DVD right?  Well the answer is maybe, check out this list  of 8 kick-ass movies  based on books that I discovered on Librarian and Information Science News.  Featuring some very witty writing and some weird trivia including the fact that the John McClain character made famous by Bruce Willis was originally played by Frank Sinatra in a movie called The Detective.    You might also want to look at their take on animated films.

Library Journal has a great collection development article on developing a punk rock collection with books, music, and film. I’ll be using it for the new year, and maybe you’ll want to as well. Is anybody besides me sad that CBGB’s is no more….