VEI partners with public libraries to offer a rotating collection of books on simple living and a lecture on "Simple Living Yesterday and Today," a history of simple living in the U.S. There are over 66 participating libraries in Vermont and the Upper Valley. VEI welcomes participation from all Vermont public libraries. For more information, call VEI at 802-333-3664 or email VEI .

Lending Library Collection

Andrews, Cecile, The Circle of Simplicity
Brower, Michael and Warren Leon, The Consumers's Guide to Effective Environmental Choices
John DeGraaf, David Wann and Thomas Naylor, Affluenza
DeGraaf, John,  Take Back Your Time Handbook 2003
Dominquez, Joe and Robin, Vicki, Your Money or Your Life
Durning, Alan, How Much is Enough?
Elgin, Duane, Voluntary Simplicity
Menzel, Peter, Material World: A Global Family Portrait
Merkel, Jim, Radical Simplicity
Ryan, John C. and Durning, Alan, Stuff, The Secret Lives of Everyday Things
"Simply Enough" pamphlet by the Association of Vermont Recyclers
St. James, Elaine, Inner Simplicity
St. James, Elaine, Simplifying Your Life with Kids
Schor, Juliet B., Born to Buy
Schor, Juliet B., The Overworked American
Taylor, Betsy, More Fun, Less Stuff Starter Kit
Taylor, Betsy, What Kids Really Want That Money Can't Buy

Videos:
"Affluenza," a one hour, humorous PBS video on a new, consumer affliction
More Fun, Less Stuff by the Center for a New American Dream

FURTHER READINGS ON SIMPLE LIVING compiled by Vermont Earth Institute

Bender, Sue, Plain and Simple, 1989.
The author learned new patterns for life by living for a time with the Amish.

Burch, Mark, Simplicity, 1995.
Focuses on the benefits of voluntary simplicity and contains personal and group exercises for expanding awareness.

Foster, Richard, Celebration of Discipline, 1988.
Chapter 6 presents a thoughtful an concise description of inner and outer simplicity.

Foster, Richard, Freedom of Simplicity, 1981.
This Quaker theologian presents a history of Christian simplicity and the practice of simplicity.

Luhrs, Janet, The Simple Living Guide, 1997.
Contains strategies, case studies, and resources to help make changes in your personal life.

Mander, Jerry, In the Absence of the Sacred, 1991.
Explores the impact of technology in our lives.

Miller, Timothy, How to Want What You Have, 1995.
An exploration of why it is so difficult to find fulfillment by seeking more.

Nearing, Helen and Scott, The Good Life.
The authors tell of their Vermont back to the land experience.

St. James, Elaine, Inner Simplicity, 1995.
100 short descriptions of ways to regain peace.

Schor, Juliet B., The Overspent American, 1998.
This sequel to The Overworked American explores the work and spend cycle.

Shi, David, The Simple Life, 1985.
A scholarly history of simple living in America.

Wachernagel, Mathis and Rees, William, Our Ecological Footprint: Reducing Human Impact on the Earth., 1996.
The authors demonstrate human demands on natural systems by means of calculating how much land is required for human activities.

PERIODICALS

YES! A Journal of Positive Futures, P.O. Box 10818, Bainbridge Island, Washington, 98110, (206) 842-0216, YES! explores practical approaches to making cultural and individual transition to sustainability.