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Grand County Libraries: How your local library can help you go green

Ally Delaney
Grand County Libraries

Have you ever had a New Year’s resolution stick, or heard a great idea from a friend and have it actually work?

I first started thinking about ways to make a difference in the environment when my friend Polly Gallagher said to me, “Why pollute where you eat?” She pointed out that when you clean your house or apartment, you are putting toxins in your water. So I decided to take matters into my own hands and started making my own cleaning supplies.

But what started as something to “try” actually became a way to save money. My “homemade” cleaning supplies cost less than the ones you buy at the store, and they were less harmful on my appliances. They also made the house smell clean – without that chemical aftertaste – and, I no longer panicked when my 2-year old grabbed the cleaning bottle.



After my first step toward “going green,” the rest of my choices came easily: Using a clothesline in the summer, unplugging appliances, and composting and planting trees. And while my efforts were concentrated on home maintenance, my husband made efforts toward our home construction by installing solar panels and utilizing the benefits of solar energy. His ideas came from reading books on straw bale homes and other subjects about energy conservation.

And this is where your local libraries come in. Books have a tendency to inspire great ideas, and there are plenty of good resources available at the library to help you lead a “greener” lifestyle – just ask a librarian.



Here are some top “green” reads:

Fraser Valley Library

“Home Power Magazine” features homes that have gone off the power grid and use the sun for energy.

“Your Eco-Friendly Home: Buying, Building, or Remodeling Green,” by Sid Davis. A Realtor and author, Davis talks about the green building movement with helpful examples of eco-friendly financing tips and building materials.

Juniper Library

“The Green Year,” by Jodi Helmer. This book lists 365 small things you can do to make a big difference.

“Greening Your Cleaning,” by Deirdre Imus. This informative book provides recommendations for protecting one’s family from exposure to toxins and carcinogens by using environmentally friendly cleaning products and processes.

Hot Sulphur Springs Library

“The passive solar house” by James Kachadorian.

“Good green kitchens: the ultimate resource for creating a beautiful, healthy, eco-friendly kitchen” by Jennifer Roberts.

Kremmling Library

“Green Homes” by Sergi Costa Duran. This book demonstrates visually lavish examples of the latest developments in sustainable architecture and design.

“Raising Baby Green: The earth-friendly guide to pregnancy, childbirth, and baby care,” by Alan R. Greene. Here’s a guide for environmentally conscious parents that presents an Earth-friendly approach to pregnancy, childbirth, and baby care.

Granby Library

“True Green at Work: 100 Ways You Can Make the Environment Your Business” by Kim McKay and Jenny Bonnin.

“Consumer Guide to Solar Energy: New Ways to Lower Utility Costs, Cut Taxes, and Take Control of Your Energy Needs” by Scott Sklar and Kenneth Sheinkopf.


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