rebate bribe ?

More Information (Spend your rebate on paying down debt, save your rebate, invest or donate, or use it to support your local economy and promote sustainability.)

Just remember "How you spend your money is how you vote every day."

montana library 2.0 challenge

I accepted the Montana Library 2.0 Challenge weeks ago and today I finally begin. It is a self-paced guide to learning about web 2.0 for Montana librarians. I think there are about 70 librarians signed up and working through the course right now. The second week of the course asks us to set up a blog and use it to post thoughts about what we learn. I've decided to post my reflections here at the green librarian instead of creating a new account. Hopefully this work will inspire me to be a more active and engaging blogger.

7 1/2 Habits of Highly Successful Lifelong Learners

1. Begin with the end in mind.
2. Accept responsibility for your own learning.
3. View problems as challenges.
4. Have confidence in yourself as a competent and effective learner.
5. Create your own learning toolbox.
6. Use technology to your advantage.
7. Teach and mentor others.

7 1/2 PLAY!!!

For me the hardest habit to stick to is Begin with the end in mind. I have well thought out goals in my life but I often am involved with so many things that the end, the actual goal, gets lost in the shuffle of trying to meet all of my obligations. I have the vague hope that after I finish up my MLIS I can better define the boundaries in my life and stick to this lifelong learning habit.

The easiest habit and one I won't soon break is Use technology to your advantage. I've always been comfortable with technology and ready to use it to make things easier, better, more efficient, more effective, and hopefully more enjoyable.

The habit I'm most interested in developing right now is Teach and mentor others. I'm in the middle of my first real experience with group teaching (Connecting to Spanish Speakers @ Your Library workshops). I shine in mentoring and one-on-one situations but have much to learn about group teaching. I enjoy sharing my knowledge, experiences, and passion with others and want to hone this skill in the future.

My goals from the Montana Library 2.0 Challenge are to 1) further explore web 2.0 technologies and fill any gaps in my knowledge and 2) practice and learn strategies to teach others to use these technologies in all types of situations.

prospera hosts tour of energy-efficient library

From Bozeman Daily Chronicle (Sunday 1/27/2008):

Prospera Business Network invites Prospera member businesses and guests to attend a special behind-the-scenes look at the Bozeman Public Library with NorthWestern Energy. Learn about NorthWestern Energy's impact on the energy efficient technologies of the new facility and how this community partnership helped the library garner the first Silver LEED certification in Montana for "building green."

NorthWestern Energy along with the Bozeman Public Library and the Library Foundation will host a reception, presentation, and tour, which will focus on their collaboration in the "greening" and the environmental design of the building.

The event is 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wed. Jan. 30, at the Bozeman Public Library community room. The reception will be catered by The Bountiful Table and the presentation and tour begins at 6 p.m. Space is limited. Reservations are required by Mon., Jan. 28. Call 587-3113 or email aschultz@ProsperaBusinessNetwork.com

eating healthy ... for the planet

Like many resolution-making Americans, my new year's resolution has everything to do with food. Unlike many of my food-thinking peers my goal is to eat better for the earth rather than to eat better for myself (though it is a nice side effect).
Initially, my resolution was... "Try to eat like a vegetarian." Note it isn't "Be a vegetarian" or "Don't eat meat." I enjoy sausage, burgers, chicken, and pork just like the next person but I also know how much more water, fuel, and energy it takes to create a burger vs a bowl of navy beans.

I have also been hearing a lot about buying local, vs. buying organic, vs. eating a vegan or vegetarian diet, vs. eating unprocessed or processed food, vs. eating out, eating fast food or joining the slow food movement.

There are a lot of choices out there.

So my new year's resolution is to continue to choose the vegetarian option both at home and out and about AND... do some research about all of the ways of eating. What really is the best way to eat for a sustainable planet? Should where you live factor in to how you eat? In a time of rising food costs is there a way to eat sustainably that does not deplete your budget?

I expect that my notion of eating healthy for the planet will evolve over the course of exploration and I may find that cutting down on my meat intake is not the best option. I'll share what I learn here with you. I'd also love to hear about your ideas and experiences.

Here are some initial links to get more information:

Study: Vegan diets healthier for planet, people than meat diets. (University of Chicago April 13, 2006)

Super Size Me (2004) Morgan Spurlock - This movie is a must see for everyone. If you have Netflix you can watch it right on your computer or check it out at your local library.

Environment in Focus: Diet for a sustainable planet (San Francisco Chronicle June 1, 2005)

and Finally: Locavores: Foodshed for thought. Celebrate your foodshed. Eat Locally!

not to beat my own drum but....

I made the Spanish Language Outreach Trainer Spotlight this week at WebJunction.

And if you're a library staff person visit the Montana State Library's website to find out how to sign up for a great FREE workshop led by myself, Kathy Robins (Billings), and Molly Kliss (Missoula). Let me know if you need more information!