Published on September 27, 2022
Brentwood Public Library in Brentwood, NY is now officially a Certified Sustainable Public Library! They are the thirteenth public library in the United States to become certified and the eighth in Suffolk County, NY.
With an array of solar panels, a new heating unit with non-ozone depleting refrigerant, and consolidation of the building's printers and copiers they were able to obtain their Green Business Partnership certification in 2019. They use LED lights giving them an 86% saving on the electricity used in lighting the building and were able to use floor-to-ceiling glass panels to allow natural light to permeate these quiet spaces with the additional benefit of library staff being able to easily monitor the rooms for safety. An additional glass enclosure was used to contain their cozy fireplace reading room, this keeps that heat in while also allowing for natural light.
Brentwood are dedicated to forming community partnerships that allow expanded access to services and provide access to a large portion of their community. The outreach and continual dialogue with these partners allows Brentwood to see needs as they emerge and provide programs and services to accommodate these needs. They host coordinators from the Nassau Suffolk Law Services and provide individual and small group English language courses with volunteers available to meet at hours not offered through local school-based programs.
The library has active social media accounts, including TikTok, and have created their own Twitch Channel to host online gaming for children, teens, and adults. Helping these kids and young adults make connections with each other and the library is important in these formative years. Facilitating these community connections in a safe, moderated environment moves the library beyond its traditional role and reinforces its importance and relevance for these young adults and their caregivers.
For more information, see our October 2022 Newsletter, Press Release, and Brentwood’s Certification Presentation.