Ramapo Catskill Library System is Certified Sustainable

The Sustainable Libraries Initiative recognizes Ramapo Catskill Library System as leaders in sustainability.

Suffolk County, NY – November 12, 2024 – The Ramapo Catskill Library System (RCLS) located in Middletown, NY has been designated as a Certified Sustainable Library System through the Sustainable Library Certification Program (SLCP).

Two years and nine months after making a commitment to sustainable practices through the Sustainable Libraries Initiative, RCLS has successfully completed the requirements to become a certified sustainable library system. Engaging staff members from every department, the team collaborated to complete over 174 action items designed to align their institution with the principles of the triple bottom line: social equity, economic feasibility, and environmental responsibility.

"RCLS decided to pursue certification to answer the needs of our member libraries that expressed interest in focusing on sustainability initiatives. This certification process provided valuable learning opportunities and rewarding experiences for the entire RCLS team. Our Sustainability Team worked diligently to implement meaningful changes that benefit not only RCLS but also our member libraries,” said Joanna Goldfarb, Sustainability Innovation Consultant for the system.

Among the system’s notable achievements during the program was its partnership with New York State Assemblyman Karl Brabenec and Good Samaritan Hospital, which provided “baby bundles” to hundreds of expecting mothers. Each bundle contained a onesie, child literacy resources, and a high-contrast board book, with the success of the program even gaining local news coverage.

“The Ramapo Catskill Library System has blazed a path forward for their member libraries,” said Rebekkah Smith Aldrich, co-founder and Board President of the Sustainable Libraries Initiative, “Their understanding that the program would ultimately strengthened not only their own organization but modeled for their member libraries how to create a strategic advantage is truly remarkable.”

RCLS fulfills its mission of delivering high-quality support to member libraries by providing sustainability resources, thereby broadening its impact throughout communities in the Hudson Valley. Additionally, eight member libraries participate in the Sustainable Library Certification Program, with two achieving certifications ahead of the system.

With this achievement, Ramapo Catskill Library System becomes the third public library system to become certified sustainable 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.

The system already has arrangements for the future that are a testament to the work they began in 2022, exemplifying that sustainability is a journey not a destination. RCLS plans on planting a pollinator garden, investigating new community partnerships, continuing to upgrade plumbing fixtures, and expanding sustainability consultancy services to their member libraries. “We are excited to continue our sustainability journey alongside our member libraries, deepening our partnerships to inspire action and make a lasting impact in our communities,” commented Goldfarb, “Together, we can lead the way toward a more sustainable, environmentally conscious future.”