For Immediate Release
February 20, 2025

Sustainable Libraries Initiative Renews Partnership with the New Jersey Library Association for a Third Year
 The Sustainable Libraries Initiative has renewed its memorandum of understanding with the New Jersey Library Association.

           New York–February 20, 2025 – Continuing their partnership for a third year, the Sustainable Libraries Initiative (SLI) and the New Jersey Library Association (NJLA) will continue to provide NJLA members with tools and resources to address the challenges and mitigate the impact of climate change in their communities.

Since the beginning of the relationship in 2022, more than thirty NJLA members have joined the Sustainable Libraries Initiative to take advantage of the SLI’s robust collection of resources aimed at doing better for our communities and shared environment. Five of these libraries are actively participating in the award-winning Sustainable Library Certification Program: a guided, self-paced benchmarking system to help libraries adopt sustainable practices in every aspect of their work and spread the benefits throughout their service area. 

“As the first statewide association to partner with the Sustainable Libraries Initiative, we appreciate the time, resources, and expertise that SLI has provided during the course of our relationship,” says Brett Bonfield, Executive Director of NJLA. “Its volunteers and staff have educated NJLA members as a keynote and workshop host at our Annual Conference, in one-on-one conversations, in written publications, and in webinars and trainings. Sustainability is one of NJLA's Core Values, and we are grateful to SLI for helping us support this fundamental aspect of our commitment to NJLA members, and New Jersey's libraries and its residents.”

Some of the benefits provided to SLI members include webinars, policy resources, educational materials, sustainable program ideas, sustainable vendor suggestions, and a carbon emissions calculator to help track a library’s output of greenhouse gases and convert it into easily digestible visuals. 

Members of the New Jersey Library Association new to the SLI who opt in via the SLI website will receive one free year of annual membership to the Sustainable Libraries Initiative and a 20% discount on the Sustainable Library Certification Program. Cohorts of five or more libraries will receive a 25% discount on certification, supporting the principle that there is power in collective action.

"We greatly appreciate the leadership of NJLA, their adoption of sustainability as an association core value is commendable," said Rebekkah Smith Aldrich, President of the Sustainable Libraries Initiative, "We look forward to a continued partnership to help the libraries of New Jersey continue to lead the way to ensure their institutions are sustainable, resilient, and contributing to thriving communities."

About the Sustainable Libraries Initiative

The Sustainable Libraries Initiative is a member-driven organization that empowers library professionals to be leaders in triple-bottom-line sustainability (environmental stewardship, social equity, and economic feasibility) both within their organizations and in their communities. The Sustainable Library Certification Program is now enrolling public and academic libraries, library systems, and school librarians.

About the New Jersey Library Association

Established in 1890, NJLA is the oldest and largest library organization in New Jersey. NJLA advocates for library services for New Jersey residents, provides education and networking for library staff, and supports intellectual freedom and access to books, music, movies, and information.