The core of the book revolves around the shifting nature of Ontario’s political landscape. In many ways this is a story of successive governments, ambitious politicians, diligent bureaucrats, and endless library reports straddling the decades. Their aim appears to have been making even better a system that, despite weaknesses, was clearly the best in Canada. Three distinctive trends emerged in Ontario librarianship after the 1930s: first, a growing sense of professionalism in librarianship; second, an enhanced sense of belonging to a pan-Canadian library movement that in 1946 would result in the formation of the Canadian Library Association; and third, a heightened awareness of the competing demands of high culture and popular culture. Public libraries became an important vehicle for promoting community, albeit with competing visions of “space and place,” as Canada generally and Ontario specifically experienced post-World War II immigration and the baby boom. As libraries approached the 21st century, the concerns of digital formats and the all-encompassing Internet intertwined to alter the book-centric "bricks and mortar" world of libraries. Nonetheless, public libraries were well placed to survive this new threat, just as they had with the challenges of radio, television, and telecommunication challenges in the 20th century.

Collecting prayer practices from around the world, the author introduces readers to her favorites--fifty forms of prayer, worship, and meditation, with details about their history and roots in particular religious traditions. Original.

Collects more than one hundred sermons from some of America's most-attended religious leaders from a wide range of denominations, ethnicities, and communities, in a volume that explores their perspectives on the true meaning of Christmas in the modern world. 125,000 first printing.

This fresh look at small groups starts with people and principles rather than program and structure. Stark and Wieland examine why many small-group ministries fall short of their goals, and they offer strategies that start with God's leading and people's needs. Straightforward, informative, and practical, this new organic system works for smaller churches as well as larger ones. Useful for lay leaders, small-group members, and pastors who want people to thrive and develop their spiritual gifts.

The Everglades is an environment like no other, spanning from coast to coast across South Florida. With unique creatures like the American Alligator to beautiful birds such as the Great Blue Herons, lovers of wildlife and nature are sure to find enjoyment out on an airboat, paddling their kayak, or walking the boardwalks. In Everglades: Exploring a Wetland Like No Other, author Anne E. Ake discusses crucial facts, figures, and details about the glades while also enlightening readers on key information regarding conservation and restoration. This book covers important topics such as The prevalent water level issues the glades face Invasive species such as the Burmese Python Up-to-date data on wildlife and environmental factors Calls to action for conservation and restoration efforts With over 90 color photos from a variety of stunning wildlife photographers including the author herself, readers new to the Everglades and seasoned glades visitors alike will find beauty and inspiration from this book.

We are all prisoners of our perception. "Living in Grace: The Shift to Spiritual Perception" is a profound, practical, thought-provoking and complete guide to shifting the perceptions that stop us from realizing the relationships, the love, the work and the joy we desire in our lives. Chapter by chapter, the reader is taken on an inner journey that encourages her to achieve her goals, and in so doing, lead a spiritual life. The 7 Keys to Grace and an eight step-by-step system based on the word GRACIOUS, along with worksheets, help the reader break out of prison into Heaven on Earth.

What were new ideas 30 years ago, such as the concepts of participatory development and systems thinking, are now accepted norms in international development circles. The majority of professionals engaged in rural development accept the proposition that the people who participate in development should play an active role in defining, implementing, and evaluating projects intended to improve their productivity and lives. However this goal remains unrealized in many development programs. Harnessing the Power of Collective Learning considers the challenges and potential of enabling collective learning in rural development initiatives. The book presents 11 case studies of organizations trying to develop and implement collective learning systems as an integral component of sustainable development practice. Through systematic reflection on action and experience, key lessons and themes emerge regarding the nature of voice, participation, feedback loops, accountability and transparency, that will be useful for many others in the development community. This book is a useful resource for academics, practitioners and policy makers in the areas of international development, sustainable development, organizational development, philanthropy, learning communities, monitoring and evaluation and rural development.

A comprehensive reference for growing flowers, fruits, vegetables, herbs, and more—with step-by-step instructions and over a thousand illustrations. Gardening: The Complete Guide lets you enjoy the process of gardening as much as the finished product. With plenty of inspirational photographs and hands-on instructional pictures, it presents the latest techniques for the twenty-first century gardener with an emphasis on time-saving, efficient practices, and devotes considerable space to growing herbs, flowers, vegetables, and fruit. This book is perfect for the gardener who wants to know how things grow and why certain practices are more effective. Includes: Valuable information on planning, planting, and maintaining all types of gardens, including vegetable, fruit, flower, water gardens, and specialty gardens Illustrated Plant-by-Plant Directories with detailed information on annuals, perennials, bulbs, biennials, water-garden plants, herbs, vines, fruits, and vegetables Step-by-step planting and growing instructions for all types of garden plants Tables and charts filled with valuable information that will help get you organized Tips for harvesting and storing fruits and vegetables from the garden, and for drying flowers More than one thousand garden-related color photographs and watercolors

Design a beautiful and self-sufficient garden; learn the secrets of heirloom vegetables, herbs, and flowers; and enjoy 60 seasonal recipes featuring the fruits of your labor—all with one book! WINNER OF THE GARDENCOMM SILVER AWARD “An heirloom garden is an opportunity to plant a piece of history that provides a deeper connection to the food you eat, the people you love, and the landscape that surrounds your home.”—from the Introduction Whether you have a small plot of land just outside your kitchen door or a wide-open field waiting to be tamed, you have an opportunity to honor the past and discover the future through long-lost plant varieties that are full of flavor, fragrance, and old-fashioned charm. By digging deeper into their history, you’ll learn why saving and planting heirloom seeds are key to the past, the present, and the future of our food gardens. In The New Heirloom Garden, award-winning food and garden writer Ellen Ecker Ogden guides you to designing and harvesting from your own kitchen garden, with expert advice, twelve themed garden designs, and sensible tips for a successful harvest. Each design includes an illustrated layout based on a historical garden with a detailed plant key featuring the best-tasting heirloom vegetables you can grow. Discover the unique stories behind the fruits, vegetables, herbs, and flowers that have been growing in gardens for centuries, and why seed saving is vital to maintain food diversity. An avid cook, Ellen attended cooking school in Italy and Ireland, and shares her 60 best garden-to-table recipes, organized by plant family, making it easy to learn how to substitute with what is growing seasonally and regionally. With a range of soups, salads, entrées, and desserts, you’ll revel in delicious fare that includes cold Summer Squash Soup with Parsley-Mint Pistou, Fennel and Watermelon Salad, Rainbow Beet Spoonbread, Rhubarb Pie with Ginger and Lemon, and Mint Granita, making this book a must-have for cooks who love to garden.

Since 1973, Storey's Country Wisdom Bulletins have offered practical, hands-on instructions designed to help readers master dozens of country living skills quickly and easily. There are now more than 170 titles in this series, and their remarkable popularity reflects the common desire of country and city dwellers alike to cultivate personal independence in everyday life.