The Sustainable Libraries Initiative’s Nationwide Rollout continues with the enrollment of nine libraries from Vermont in the Sustainable Library Certification Program
For Immediate Release
Suffolk County, New York – April 11, 2022 – The Sustainable Library Certification Program has enrolled nine libraries that are part of Vermont Library Association’s Sustainable Libraries Working group: Brownell Library, Carpenter-Carse Library, Charlotte Library, Lincoln Library, Norman Williams Library, Pettee Memorial Library, Quechee Public Library, Richmond Free Library, and Windsor Public Library. These libraries have made the commitment to work toward embedding the concepts of triple bottom line sustainability into their libraries’ policies and practices. The in-depth focus on environmentally sound practices, economic feasibility, and social equity that this program entails will require each of these libraries to demonstrate sustainable thinking in all of their decision-making. Sustainable Libraries initiative co-founder, Rebekkah Smith Aldrich states:
“We are pleased to partner with the Vermont Library Association and have these libraries supported by the Vermont Community Foundation to help Vermont's libraries continue and expand their leadership on the topic of sustainability. The investment of the Vermont Community Foundation is a clear indication that others recognize the acceleration influence of libraries in every village, town, and city stepping up to serve as exemplars for sustainable thinking to help lead communities forward in the face of the impact of climate change. We look forward to welcoming these nine libraries into the fold of more than fifty libraries across the country working through this program to strengthen their organizations and their communities.”
Each library will be working towards their individual certifications with the guidance of an experienced mentor and the support of an expanding network of libraries nationwide who are members of the Sustainable Libraries Initiative. The Sustainable Library Certification Program is flexible so that libraries of all sizes and locations whether urban, rural, or suburban can benefit from the step-by-step actions that will lead to a more environmentally sound, socially equitable, and financially resilient organization.
The adaptive nature of this certification program allows certification to be achievable for libraries of any size. This award-winning program is also designed to be attainable to libraries whether they have been working on sustainable practices for years or have just begun. The emphasis on altering the foundation of the institution’s policies along with a new lens to view the library’s programs, collections, and practices offers a proven path forward for every library that is willing to start making a change. The feasibility for small libraries and the ability to participate as a cohort was a key reason that Charlotte Library Director, Margaret Woodruff, decided to take on this challenge at her small library.
“The Certification Process is beneficial in so many ways. First of all, it provides us with a substantial yet flexible framework for implementing sustainability practices. Having the framework in place is key for small libraries, which couldn't begin to put together the information and resources on their own. At the same time, the flexibility of the program means that we can engineer the process to fit our individual circumstances, whether it is staffing, location or community situation. In addition, I think the focus on the triple bottom line shows the commitment to all aspects of contribution to a resilient and sustainable library and community.”
Enrollment in the Sustainable Library Certification program on now open to public libraries nationwide. The comprehensive collection of Action Items that will be completed are organized into 12 categories such as Energy, Materials, Collective Impact, and Resilience Planning. With a combination of required and recommended actions to be completed based on the individual needs of each library and their community, these libraries will each have their own unique path to certification. These libraries and the growing network of libraries involved in the Sustainable Library Certification Program will benefit from the input and experiences of these new members and the resources that will be shared.
International Impact
These nine Vermont libraries join our growing list of over fifty libraries that are leading the way to demonstrate in policy and practice the importance of sustainable thinking in the library profession. This benchmarking program was developed to assist libraries of all kinds - public, academic, and individual school librarians - to create opportunities for making better choices on behalf of the local and global community.
The program has been recognized by the International Federation of Library Associations at their 2019 World Congress in Athens, Greece, becoming the first program in the United States to be honored through their “Green Libraries” Award.
Sustainable Libraries Initiative
The Sustainable Libraries Initiative is a member-driven organization that empowers library professionals to be leaders in triple bottom line sustainability both within their organizations and in their communities. The award-winning project provides tools to mobilize libraries to think and act sustainably. Our premier product, the Sustainable Library Certification Program is now enrolling public libraries nationwide, School Librarians throughout New York State, and will launch our Academic Library Certification Program later this year.