The DIY (Do-it-Yourself) ethic is nothing new, but in our ever more precarious natural environment and fiscally tight times, thinking about sustainability in our urban lives and being self-sufficient are more important than ever.
Throughout the month of October, The Seattle Public Library will be hosting the Urban Self-Reliance program series at library branches throughout the city. The Library is partnering with other agencies to help Seattleites learn skills to become more independent, use fewer resources and save energy. Learn how to fix your bicycle at one of the The Bikery’s Bicycle Maintenance workshops, get tips from CleanScapes on starting your own backyard composting system, bring an old Halloween costume and learn how to repair it or simply trade it for another one at one SewUpSeattle’s Costume Repair and Swap events, or learn from the experts at the Office of Emergency Management how to put together an effective disaster kit. There are 17 different workshops and over 35 events. See the full list of program events here.
In addition to all of these free workshops, the Seattle Public Library has a wide selection of great books and resources to help you become more independent and consume fewer resources. If you’re interested in embarking on a new path, check out The Urban Biking Handbook: The DIY Guide to Building, Rebuilding, Tinkering With, and Repairing your Bicycle for City Living, or Getting Started in Permaculture: Over 50 DIY Projects for House & Garden Using Recycled Materials. If you’re interested in making your home more safe and energy efficient, Toward A Zero Energy Home: A Complete Guide to Energy Self-sufficiency at Home, or Just in Case: How to Be Self-sufficient When the Unexpected Happens. The full list of Urban Self-Reliance Library materials and other resources for all program topics can be found here.
The Library has a wide selection of other great books on sustainable living that will be on display and ready to check out at all of our programs. If you can’t make it to any of the programs, optimize your time by checking out the Urban Self-Reliance Resource Fair at the Green Lake Branch on Saturday, October 27 from 1 to 3 p.m. Many of our partnering agencies will be there with information about the kinds of services they provide. We hope to see you there!
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