globalbriefs
News and resources to inspire concerned citizens to work to-
gether in building a healthier, stronger society that works for all.
People’s Wisdom People’s University
World’s Citizens Want Renewable Energy Celebrating Libraries’ Contributions to Community
From Buenos Aires to Nairobi A year past the half-century mark, this year’s theme for Na-
and Beijing, 77 percent of tional Library Week, April 12-18, “Worlds Connect @ Your
the population in 21 nations Library,” aptly characterizes the essential role that public,
polled by the University of academic and special libraries play in our communities. As
Maryland said their gov- Project for Public Spaces reports, “If the old model of the
ernments should put more library was the inward-focused reading room, the new one
emphasis on solar and wind is more like a community front porch.”
energy systems. Sixty-nine These welcoming institutions not only foster the habit
percent said utility companies should be obliged to use of reading in both adults and children, they teach us how
more renewable energy sources, “even if this increases the to become savvy in accessing, evaluating and using infor-
cost of energy in the short run.” Yet, the poll also suggests mation. With almost all U.S. public libraries now online,
that an increasing number of people believe that a shift these continuing bastions of democracy provide access
away from fossil fuel toward renewable energy sources of- to onsite and global resources to all people, regardless of
fers practical and immediate economic benefits. their ability to pay. Onsite English as a Second Language
“I was struck by the consistency and strength of classes support immigrants in becoming productive citi-
support,” says Steven Kull, head of the Program on Inter- zens. Libraries also increasingly serve as the social gather-
national Policy Attitudes at the University of Maryland. ing places that early public library advocate and builder
“People think of this as an investment and a transition.” Andrew Carnegie envisioned. They can even be a fulcrum
SustainableBusiness.com reports that total new investment for renewal in cities and neighborhoods.
in clean energy worldwide rose 4.4 percent during 2008,
exceeding the $150 billion mark for the first time. Check with local libraries for schedules of special events,
classes, lectures, book talks, children’s programs and other
Source: The Christian Science Monitor activities.
Pr i n t e d o n re c y c l e d Pa P e r t o Pr o t e c t t h e en v i r o n m e n t
April 2009 15
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48