The Lynnfield Public Library will be joining 100 other libraries across the U.S. and Canada in the Sustainable Library Certification Program from the Sustainable Library Initiative.
According to a statement released by the library, the program is designed to facilitate long-term sustainability through changes in decision-making abilities and with goal-setting strategies.
“The SLI’s Sustainable Library Certification Program is designed to provide public libraries, academic libraries, library systems, and school librarians with exclusive resources and step-by-step guidelines to shift towards a cleaner, greener, and more equitable future,” the statement said. “Collective action is imperative in generating positive change. By building a strong and widespread community of practice, the SLI hopes to gather a diverse team of like-minded individuals dedicated to making better decisions for our shared planet.”
LPL Director Abigail Porter said she went to a training session for the certification program about a year ago, but didn’t think Lynnfield’s small, century-plus-old library would meet the SLI’s standards.
“They have the triple bottom line of is it environmentally sound, economically feasible, and socially equitable, and they rightsize it to every organization,” Porter said. “I had assumed we were too small and our building was too old to make it work, but they are willing to work with us to do what we can.”
Already, the staff at the library has made efforts to make the building and their operations more in line with the qualifications needed for certification, a process that takes 18 months to two years on average.
“So a lot of it is about just changing your mindset and making sure that as you do any of your library services, you’re looking at it through that lens of the triple bottom line,” she said. “I’m hoping to partner with the tree committee, the recycling committee, conservation committee, and have them help us figure out best practices around all of this to make it work for Lynnfield.”
Some moves the library is planning to make include switching out their receipt paper for recyclable materials, acquiring a native plant garden, and using reusable cups for their water station.
In addition, the institution already participates in sustainable activities, including a seed library launched in February of last year, composting with Black Earth Compost, and partnering with the recycling committee to recycle batteries, small electronics, and printer cartridges.
“Last fiscal year, the Lynnfield Public Library saved community members an estimated $2.2 million. For every dollar invested in the Library, you get back an estimated $2.13 in services and materials,” the statement said. “This isn’t even counting the technology use, Wi-Fi, printing, notary services, proctoring services, Library of Things, or tutoring space, so your return on investment is likely even higher.”
Porter also noted how the building has been a Climate Hub through Communities Responding to Extreme Weather for several years now, another example of how the library serves the community in ways beyond lending out books.
“I think the other great thing about it, too, is that once we are certified, it really helps when applying for grants for building upgrades,” Porter said. “So my hope long term is that we’ll be able to, over time, upgrade our systems to be more sustainable, but also get grants to pay for that. So, I only see this as a win for the community.”
