For Immediate Release
December 29, 2023

                                   Bonnie Bredes, Center Moriches Middle & High School Librarian is Certified Sustainable!
                                        The Sustainable Libraries Initiative recognizes Bonnie Bredes as a leader in sustainability.

                    Suffolk County, NY – December 29, 2023 - Bonnie Bredes, School Librarian at the Center Moriches Middle & High School Libraries of the Center Moriches School District has been certified a sustainable librarian through the award-winning Sustainable Library Certification Program (SLCP). Bonnie is one of nine School Librarians in New York State to complete the certification program through the Sustainable Libraries Initiative.

“Bonnie Bredes is an esteemed librarian who deserves recognition for her outstanding contribution to enhancing the library program at Center Moriches Middle and High School. She is thoughtful, reflective, and progressive. Bonnie possesses an incredible work ethic,” said Joanna McCloskey when asked about her experience working as Bonnie’s mentor on her journey towards completing her certification.
“Among her many strengths is the ability to foster collaborative partnerships. This not only adds an element of excitement to learning but also brings real-world relevance into the classroom. Despite being a veteran in the profession, Bonnie continues to bring a fresh perspective to her work, highlighting her sustainability. I am confident that Bonnie's innovative approach is undoubtedly making a positive impact on the educational experience for both students and staff.”

The comprehensive Sustainable Library Certification Program for School Librarians requires each member to work through five categories: Community Involvement, Leading Beyond the Library, Social Equity and Resiliency, Standards and Curriculum, and Collections. These categories all cover aspects of the key elements of the Triple Bottom Line of sustainability adopted by the Sustainable Libraries Initiative; environmentally sound, socially equitable, and economically viable. Program members work through both required and recommended actions to identify those that are most beneficial to their libraries and that best tell their stories of sustainability practices.

Collaborating with public libraries, organizations, & businesses is one of the many ways Bonnie has been able to extend learning past the walls of the school and by doing this, Bonnie is able to enrich the experiences and lives of her students as well as her own professional career. Each year  her school participates in the Partners in Science program which provides students an opportunity to conduct science research with librarians from the Brookhaven National Laboratory. This partnership provides an experience for students to engage in hands-on science research leaving a lasting impression and giving students an opportunity to explore the expansive world of science. 

Additionally, by partnering with the district's public library, Bonnie is able to help students access materials for summer projects, promote the public library’s summer reading club, and give students a chance to sign up for a library card. By creating partnerships with Stony Brook University Library and Eastern Suffolk BOCES School Library System, students have the ability to access countless research materials and specialty databases not normally available to them, as well as software tools, and more- all while learning firsthand about academic research in a university library setting. Bonnie shared the following statement about her path towards sustainable librarianship:

“Participating in the Sustainable Library Certification Program presented me with the opportunity to really reflect on my practice and the Center Moriches Secondary library program and has inspired me to try new initiatives and improve on those that are already in place. As a result, there has been a noticeable increase in student usage, circulation, and teacher collaboration.”

While going through the certification program, Bonnie started new initiatives to positively extend her influence throughout her school such as implementing a monthly newsletter, providing professional development, and creating space for more collaboration with her colleagues. Bonnie incorporates equality and uses an inclusive approach when crafting a diverse collection, creating signage in multiple languages, and incorporating diverse books in digital collections for students to access. As a result more students are able to find books that they can identify with. The school's library usage has increased which demonstrates the need for mindfulness in libraries and providing a safe space for students where they can spend their lunch and study hall time comfortably and productively. These are just some examples of how Bonnie Bredes has increased the impact of her influence at her school. Achieving certification as a sustainable librarian has not only improved Bonnie as a library professional but it has enhanced the school libraries by ensuring a brighter future.

For more information visit http://sustainablelibrariesinitiative.org or contact:

Alex Blend, Sustainability Coordinator
Sustainable Libraries Initiative
Suffolk Cooperative Library System
631-286-1600 x 1355
sliadmin@suffolknet.org