Go Green to Protect the Blue – National Ocean Month Library Challenge

Everyone can help protect our oceans and inland waterways and improve the lives of countless water-dwelling creatures! Learn more about simple steps you can take and about some of the amazing creatures you'll be helping with this library challenge. Turn in your completed challenge sheet by July 1 to be entered into the drawing for a ((free admission to Shedd Aquarium. ))

Challenge Tasks: 

• Conserve Water!  (complete one task to satisfy this section)
  • Turn off the sink when brushing your teeth or washing your hands until you need to rinse. 
  • If you take baths, use a ruler to measure the water's depth.  Try filling it an inch less each time to see how low you can go! 
  • if you take showers, time yourself!  The average shower is eight minutes long.  Can you manage it in five? 
• Conserve Energy! (complete one task to satisfy this section)
  • Turn off the lights in rooms you aren’t using at nighttime. 
  • See how late you can use only natural sunlight.  Can you make it until 7:00 pm?  8:00 pm? 
  • Walk or ride your bike instead of riding in a car for short distances. 
• Reduce Waste! (complete two tasks to satisfy this section)
  • Recycle paper, glass, cardboard, and most plastics.  If your family doesn’t take advantage of curbside recycling pick-up, try using a free recycling drop-off center in our area! (More info here: https://www.peoriacounty.org/235/Recycling)
  • Use reusable totes for grocery shopping, like the ones being offered for Summer Reading participation prizes.
  • Recycle plastic shopping bags – grocery stores often offer plastic bag recycling bins. 
  • Compost! –  It will help you reduce your household waste because you can compost many food scraps, as well as lawn waste (leaves and weeds) and cardboard or paper.  Plus, you’ll end up with excellent compost for growing new plants.  It’s a win-win! 
  • Track your waste - Count how many garbage bags your family fills in a week.  Try to reduce that number the next week by two whole bags! 
• Learn more about the issue!  How? Visit the library, of course! (complete two tasks to satisfy this section)
  • Sign up for Summer Reading.  Our 2024 theme is Read, Renew, Repeat and is all about helping the environment. 
  • Read about the Earth’s oceans and the creatures that live there by checking out books from June displays in the North Branch Children’s Department.  (You can complete this task more than once.)
  • Attend a library program related to conservation and/or the environment.  Our Peoria Reads and Summer Reading 2024 themes both relate to this topic, so you should have a lot to pick from!  (You can complete this task more than once.)