By Children’s Librarian Eileen
Every year on Earth Day, April 22, we celebrate our precious planet. Check out ways you can celebrate and protect our planet at the same time below!
Join us for Earth Month programs at the Main Library
Earth Month Community Collage
Wednesday, April 8, 3:30–5:30 pm, Main Library
Join us for this all-ages program in contributing to a community Earth Month collage. Drop by and decorate a square with words, scraps, patterns, and/or pictures to convey a message for or about the Earth, things you love, and things you do to care for it.
Earth Day Activities for Kids & Families
Wednesday, April 22, 3:30–5 pm, Main Library
Let’s celebrate Earth Day! Participate in fun hands-on activities that promote environmental awareness, sustainability, and a connection to nature.
Check out these books & videos
Books
- All the Feelings Under the Sun: How to Deal With Climate Change by Leslie Davenport (a workbook for grades 5-9)
- Forests by Nell Cross Beckerman
- Lights Out: A Movement to Protect Migrating Birds by Jessica Stremer (picture book)
- Redwoods by Jason Chin
- Rise to the Sky: How the World’s Tallest Trees Grow Up by Rebecca Hirsch
- A Seed Is Sleepy by Diana Hutts Aston
- Wonder Wing: Guess Who’s Flying by Rebecca Hirsch
Videos
- NASA Kids Science: videos on climate change, weather, and the earth
- PBS Spotlight Earth: explore the real-world impacts of climate change
- Suzie Hicks the Climate Chick & Sprout: an amazing YouTube video series geared towards ages 4-8
Learn what we can do about e-waste
Can we reuse or repurpose items instead of buying new things? Can we donate or recycle items instead of throwing them in the garbage and adding to landfills? It’s especially important to ask these questions when it comes to our unwanted electronic gadgets.
We don’t want electronics going into landfills because they contain hazardous substances, like lead and mercury. If we throw out an old television, computer, or cell phone, we create e-waste that can leak harmful toxins into the soil, water, and air. In fact, it is against the law to dispose of most electronics in landfills.
Check out these titles to learn more about waste & what it’s doing to our planet
- E-Waste in Guiyu, China by Shannon Berg (ages 8-12): In this ebook, learn what “e-waste” means, how Guiyu, China was affected by it, and what they are doing now to protect themselves.
- What a Waste by Jess French (ages 10-13): In this Bluestem Award Nominee book, learn everything you need to know about what we’re doing to our environment, good and bad, from pollution and litter to renewable energy and recycling.
Instead of creating e-waste: Donate, recycle, reuse, or trade in old electronics
Now that you’ve learned about the importance of protecting our planet and what e-waste is, below you’ll find a few ideas on what you can do with your old electronics.
Before donating any of your personal electronics
- Protect your personal data by backing it up and wiping your phone or computer of all contacts, passwords, etc.
- Sign out of accounts like Google and iCloud.
- Do a factory reset.
Donate your unwanted, working electronics
Your unwanted but working electronics can be donated to individuals and organizations who greatly appreciate them—like Computers With Causes and PICKUP PLEASE. Read “Where to Donate Your Old Computers & Used Electronics to Charity“ for more information about donating electronics to charitable organizations.
Recycle or e-cycle your unusable electronics
When your electronic devices and accessories stop working properly and are unusable, recycling them is probably the best option! E-cycling not only protects our environment from harmful toxins but also helps conserve natural resources such as gold, copper, and aluminum.
Where can I recycle electronics? You can schedule a pickup or drop-off of your old electronics with a variety of organizations and businesses for recycling. Check out E-Cycling in Oak Park and E-Cycling in Illinois for more information.
Many companies offer trade-in options for your electronics! Check out the e-cycling options available on the Environmental Protection Agency’s website.
About Eileen
Eileen Saam is a children’s digital learning librarian who loves discovering new things, learning from others, and sharing with children the joy and wonder of books. One of her favorite things to do at the library is to help children, families, and teachers find books and digital resources that delight and inspire them.