Check It Out:

The first Earth Day was celebrated April 22, 1970. Across the United States, more than 20 million people participated. It is anticipated that this year’s 40th anniversary events will be commemorated by more than 1 billion people worldwide.

Did you realize that using your library is one of the greenest things you can do?

Where else can you pick up books, movies and music in one stop? Where else can you get a free canvas bag to check out so that you can carry your items? Where else can you donate and buy used books?

The library is all about reducing, reusing and recycling, so celebrate Earth Day 2010 by spending some more time at the Newport Beach Public Library!

“You Are Here: the Surprising Link Between What We Do and What That Does to the Planet” by Thomas Kostigen gives readers an idea of just how much of an impact their conservation and recycling efforts have on the planet.

Looking to redecorate? Then check out Janet Sobesky’s “Natural Style: Decorating with an Earth-Friendly Point of View” to find helpful tips on choosing the most eco-friendly products, from bath towels to wallpaper, to beautify and re-energize your personal space.

Eco awareness shouldn’t stop in the home. Learn how to be more green outdoors with “Your Eco-Friendly Yard: Sustainable Ideas to Save You Time, Money, and the Earth” by Tom Girolamo. You’ll discover how to plant a more efficient yard as well as better ways to care for your existing landscaping.

Think being green means giving up being fabulous and chic? Then pick up Starre Vartan’s “The Eco Chick Guide to Life: How to Be Fabulously Green” and learn how to be green in style. With tips on beauty, fashion, home decorating, entertaining and even on how to travel green, Vartan will show you how you can be stunning. The only things you’ll give up are the carbon emissions!

Start baby off on the right foot with “Feeding Baby Green: the Earth-Friendly Program for Healthy, Safe Nutrition During Pregnancy, Childhood, and Beyond” by Alan Greene. He has some useful advice for parents on how to introduce organic food into the whole family’s diet and satisfy even the pickiest of toddlers.

Discover more ways to be green in the kitchen with Kate Heyhoe’s “Cooking Green.” Heyhoe takes readers through a complete breakdown of what they can change in their kitchen, from cookware to appliances, and navigates the world of buying organic groceries. She includes some delicious and healthy green recipes to get those taste buds salivating!

Get creative with Danny Seo’s “Simply Green Giving: Create Beautiful Gift Wrapping, Tags, and Handmade Treasures from Everyday Materials.” Learn how to turn everyday and recycled materials into fun and cute gifts for everyone on your list.

From cooking to gift giving to redecorating, the Newport Beach Public Library has books to help you change your life and save the planet. Children in kindergarten through second grade are invited to celebrate Earth Day at 4 p.m. Thursday by making Earth-friendly crafts at the Crean Mariners Branch Library, 1300 Irvine Ave.

Register at www.newportkids.org.

CHECK IT OUT is written by the staff of the Newport Beach Public Library. All titles may be reserved from home or office computers by accessing the catalog at www.newportbeachlibrary.org. For more information on the Central Library or any of the branches, please contact the Newport Beach Public Library at (949) 717-3800, option 2.