Sustainable Transportation Newsletter

The winter issue of the sustainable Transportation Newsletter is up and running.  And who is up for a little winter biking on February 13?

It's almost time for the SOC Awards!

Congrats to the Map Collection! You are an inspiration to the rest of Western Libraries!

Extreme Life of the Sea

You think you're having a hard day?  Imagine living next to a boiling hypothermic vent deep under the ocean.  Or having to use a built-in search light on your head to hunt for dinner.

My wife who works at Village Books pointed this out to me.  Stephen and Anthony Palumbi will be speaking at the store this Sunday at 4 PM.  Stephen is a professor of marine science and his son Anthony is a science writer.

Their book Extreme Life of the Sea describes the creatures that live in the most extreme conditions in the ocean.  It includes information on how human beings and climate change are effecting the lifes of these rugged extremists.

Western Window TV Show Features Sustainability

 Check out the most recent edition of the Western Window which takes a look at Sustainability at Western & includes a segment about the Green Energy Fee Grant Program & Western Libraries!

Good Gatekeepers

When you hear the word "Gatekeeper" is your reaction positive or negative?  I admit I think of it as negative: an obstacle, somebody blocking the path, or limiting information.  Apparently the first use of it as a metaphor came in an essay about food choices, back in the forties.

The reason I bring it up is that the International Institute for Environment and Development has produced a series of books they call, you guessed it, Gatekeepers.  They are all online and can be found in our OneSearch catalog.

The series aims to highlight key topics in the field of sustainable natural resource management.  Each paper reviews a selected issue of contemporary importance and draws preliminary  conclusions for development that are particularly relevant for policymakers, researchers and planners. 

Here are some titles in the series: 

Biodiversity Planning: Why and how should local opinions matter?

Global Restructuring, Agri-Food Systems and Livelihoods

Towards Food Sovereignty

Tried and tested: learning from farmers on adaptation to climate change

Working Together: Forest-linked small and medium enterprise associations and collective action

Sustainable design on display

Welcome back to the winter quarter!

I hope you all know about the hydration station in the library (turn left as you come in the North Door.  It is near the Tutoring Center).  Besides being an easy place to fill your water bottle, the station features  information about WWU's sustainability projects, and a display of relevant library materials.

This quarter the theme for the display is sustainable design.  This includes books on sustainable packaging, architecture, fashion, parks, and of course, books!

Remember, all the books can be checked out and taken home.

Sweater Days are Here Again!

Western's Office of Sustainability is updating it's Sweater Days campaign, reminding us that during these cold and dark days, a sweater can make a difference in helping us stay warm and conserve energy.

Recently, a few of us from the library (including Hans!) participated in the Sweater Days photo shoot and we we also got to try out the newly-up-cycled and awesomely designed "Agents of Change" sweater. We had a great time and it was really fun getting to see so many "Agents of Change" who are here at Western.

I am sure there will be more photos and info about this year's Sweater Days coming soon, but in the meantime, we wanted to take this opportunity to thank the Office of Sustainability for reminding us that small actions mean a lot, and for taking this photo  that we are sharing with you now. Happy Sweater Days!