Sparking sustainable trends
MAIN LIBRARY — Looking to fulfill goals set in City Hall’s sustainable city plan, the Santa Monica Public Library is hosting a competition to find literature that best promotes a “green” lifestyle.
Librarians are looking for authors, illustrators and publishers who produce books for adults and young people that make contributions to, support the ideas of, and broaden awareness of sustainability. Winners will receive the “Green Prize” for sustainable literature — a first in Santa Monica.
“In the past, we have done a series on sustainability, but this year we wanted to do something different,” said Librarian Nancy Bender, who is coordinating the contest. “Sustainability is such a big deal here. We thought, ‘what better place to offer this type of award?’ We did some research and we found no other library doing this sort of thing. Fabian Lewkowicz CELEBRATE: The Santa Monica Public Library, located at Fifth Street and Santa Monica Boulevard, announced its first art exhibition to run in conjunction with the first anniversary of the new main branch. The art exhibit is set to open next month.
“Once again, we’re trying to be trendsetters.” The award is sponsored by the public libraries and City Hall’s Environmental Programs Division, which is in charge of implementing and monitoring the sustainable city plan — a guide for the city on how to operate and meet current needs without compromising future generations’ ability to do the same.
Awards will be presented this September in four categories — adult nonfiction, adult fiction, youth fiction and youth nonfiction. Submissions can range from gardening magazines to children’s books about the benefits of recycling, according to Bender.
CRITERIA To be eligible for the contest, a title must have been published in 2006; be inclusive of social equity and well-being; supportive of public involvement in community decisions, be regional as well as local in scope; be aware of ecological and resource limitations; and help promote environment, economic or social equity ideals.
Submissions will also be judged on design; distinct literary quality and originality.
All titles will be weighed by a panel consisting of librarians, city staff with environmental programs.
The deadline for submissions is April 30. Winners will be announced July 1 with a public awards ceremony set for September.
Those interested in submitting a title should send them to Bender at the Main Library, 601 Santa Monica Blvd., 90401.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on January 8, 2007. Read the original PDF.