MHSL Fair News
MHSLF donates books to library

The Carroll County Public Library system has several new environmentally themed books available to patrons, thanks to the Maryland Heartland Sustainable Living Fair (MHSLF). The fair's board of directors donated more than $200 to purchase seven books and a magazine subscription that promote environmental awareness and/or sustainable and healthy living practices.
The MHSLF used a portion of the proceeds from the 2009 fair to fund the collection. As part of its mission, the fair board supports initiatives that promote sustainable living and environmental improvements in Central Maryland. "It's a good start for what we want to do, support sustainable activities in the community," said Don West, a fair board member.
Nadine Rosendale, manager of the Finksburg branch, where the collection will be housed, said she expects the books to be very popular with library patrons. "We get requests for these subjects of sustainable living and being green all the time," she said. "Everything that comes in on these subjects is very popular and gets checked out."
The donation includes:
- "Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things," by William McDonough and Michael Braungart
- "Small is Beautiful: Economics as if People Mattered," by E.F. Schumacher
- "The End of Nature," by Bill McKibben
- "Fast Food Nation," by Eric Schlosser
- "Gaia's Garden: A Guide to Home-Scale Permaculture," by Toby Hemenway
- "Your Money or Your Life for the 21st Century," by Vicki Robin, Joe Dominguez, Monique Tilford and Mark Zaifman
- "Deep Economy: The Wealth of Communities and the Durable Future," by Bill McKibben
- "Yes!" magazine published by the Positive Futures Network.
The collection ties in nicely with the new Finksburg library, which opened last year with many energy-saving features, including geo-thermal heating, solar powered hot water systems, and extensive use of natural lighting.
"Right off the bat our collection contained a number of items about sustainability," Rosendale said. "The community is very interested in that."
The Maryland Heartland Sustainable Living Fair returns to the Carroll County Farm Museum in Westminster for its third annual gathering from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 22. The community event will feature vendors, demonstrations and seminars promoting sustainable living practices. A farmers market will offer locally grown products and information about sustainable agriculture and area cooperatives. There will also be activities for children, live entertainment, wholesome food and speakers.
Admission to the fair is $5 for ages 17-59, $3 for seniors, students and bicyclists, and free for those 16 and younger. The Maryland Heartland Sustainable Living Fair is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting an environmentally friendly lifestyle that preserves resources for future generations. To learn more or participate, visit the Maryland Heartland Sustainable Living Website.

