Norman Williams Public Library is Certified Sustainable

The Sustainable Libraries Initiative recognizes Norman Williams Public Library

as a leader in sustainability.

Suffolk County, NY–January 22, 2025–Norman Williams Public Library in Woodstock, Vermont has been designated as a Certified Sustainable Library through the Sustainable Library Certification Program (SLCP).

With this achievement, Norman Williams Public Library becomes the first library in Vermont, to become designated as a sustainable library through the SLCP: an award-winning benchmarking system and community of practice designed to provide public libraries, academic libraries, library systems, and school librarians with exclusive resources and guidelines to shift towards a cleaner, greener, and more equitable future. 

“Seeing tangible improvements, such as energy-efficient upgrades, waste reduction measures, and the creation of lasting sustainability programs, has provided a sense of accomplishment in our efforts to positively affect our community and the environment,” said Clare McFarland, Library Director of the Norman Williams Public Library. “This certification process has helped us identify and implement more efficient resource management strategies. It has helped us reduce waste and consequently reduce costs.”

The certification process helped the library recognize how library programming helps create cohesion within their community and brings people together who rarely interact. Norman Williams Public Library provides opportunities for older adults to participate in their community and reduce social isolation, which can become common for patrons living in rural communities. The Woodstock community has a large senior population, so the library created multiple programs in partnership with their local senior center and senior living facilities, acknowledging the impact their programming can have on different populations within their community.

Through programming, the Norman Williams Public Library can communicate and promote sustainability within their community. The library hosts a weekly mending circle, which provides an opportunity for patrons to gather to mend, darn, patch, or hem many of the items languishing in their wardrobes. Other sustainability-related programs are amongst the library’s most popular, including “Green Burials- Making a Clean (Energy) Getaway;” which discusses eco-friendly funeral practices and products and “Environmental Humanities 101: Critical Studies for Feverish Times,” as well as other educational talks led by local experts and community groups that help keep patrons informed on topics related to being more sustainable in everyday life.

Another area of excellence for Norman Williams was its resilience planning. Faced with extreme rain and flooding in the Summer of 2023 where their village experienced a water main break causing the library to be with no water for a few weeks. The library, post-restoration, prioritized water conservation. Knowing that they had water conservation systems and practices already in place made those weeks easier for the library staff.

 “The Norman Williams Public Library embraced sustainable thinking long before embarking on their certification journey in 2022,” said mentor Jennifer Ferriss. “What the staff discovered was how small, incremental changes could create a larger impact. By introducing new services, programs, and partnerships, they fostered goodwill in the community and directly supported the aging population. A heartfelt congratulations to the staff for leading the way in Vermont and for improving their community, benefiting both year-round residents and the tourists who visit the historic village.” 

Continuing the journey, Norman Williams Public Library works to bring their community together through continued partnerships and sustainable practices that make the future a happier, healthier place for all. Reflecting on the journey, Clare McFarland shared: “Earning the Sustainable Libraries Certification highlights our library’s commitment to sustainability and making a positive impact on our community and the environment.”