Continuing Education and Events: 08/27 - Sustainability Idea Swap

Sustainability activities that attendees' libraries are participating in include: 

• Sustainable Libraries Initiative - SLI offers free webinars on both becoming SLI certified and general topics. 
• NYLA's Sustainable Thinking & Action Round Table (START) - START will have a table at the November NYLA conference in Saratoga Springs. They are looking for people to fill expert time slots. If you have suggestions or want to volunteer, contact Sharon Berg, Crandall Public Library. 
• Seed libraries
• Crafting with leftover materials
• Plant Care Committee
• Adding sustainability course work into the curriculum 
• Encouraging open access publications & looking for ways to avoid costs for faculty to create open access publications
• Robust English language learner programs
• LEED building
• Community history programs help patrons establish roots and support the community
• Pollinator gardens & hosting citizen science programs in the garden
• Sharing unique collections
• Hosting climate change discussion groups
• Monthly trips to Little Free Libraries to stock with discarded library books
• Repair Cafes
• Fee for service model 
• Partnerships with other community organizations
• Hosting programs on waste management and composting, including representatives from local hauling companies. 
• Passive programs for college students, such as leaving out seeds and supplies for potting plants and Lego sets for students to build designs for a display. 
• The Human Library - For people to share their experiences. May want to consult with an attorney before offering - for example, if you are a mandatory reporter.  
• Friends of the Pine Bush Traveling Show

Libraries have partnered with or found the following organizations useful: 

• Zero Waste Capital District 
• SUNY Climate and Sustainability Action Plan 
• Hudson Valley Repair Cafe
• Blue Zones - A blue zone is a region in the world where people are claimed to have exceptionally long lives. This website provides evidence-based guidance and products to improve well-being.  
• Bulk Book Warehouse
• Better World Books
• Casella - Helps institutions manage waste. 
• In Motion Plan to 2050 - The Capital Regional Transportation Council is the lead organization in developing this plan for Albany, Rensselaer, Saratoga, and Schenectady Counties. 
• CDTA - Some libraries sell transit passes and/or host CDTA bike and scooter racks. 
• North Country Recycles - Works with North Country Library System to recycle books. They have a book debinder machine, but it was made by a local individual, so it can't be replicated. 
• Sustainable Saratoga 
• Recycle Right New York 
• Saratoga Hospital Community of Excellence

Questions for the group: 

• A public library in an area with little public transportation has a lot of adults attending their programs for English Language Learners. Many participants do not have cars and walk a long way, often in areas that are unsafe for pedestrians. The group had many suggestions, including: 
  • Partner with organizations to provide transportation. For example, one community center has a regular van and includes the library as a stop. Churches, senior centers, and community living programs are other potential partners. 
  • Invite CDTA representatives to speak at the library and gather feedback. 
  • Host a program on how to contact your state representatives and include letters advocating for public transportation. 
  • Investigate becoming a host for CDTA bikes or scooters 
• When students move out of the dorms at the end of the school year, a lot of usable items are thrown away. How can we prevent this? 
  • The library could store popular things, such as lawn chairs, over the summer and offer them to students in the fall. 
  • Create a thrift store in the fall with items left behind in the spring. 
  • Partner with the town. The town may have a sustainability officer.
  • Have a "free" day where local residents are invited to come and take what they want. 
  • Provide incentives to students to work on partnerships on this topic prior to the end of the school year. The incentives could be money, course credit, certification, credit towards housing or other costs. 

Other ideas

• Create a Little Free Library for the CDLC building
• Offer skill sharing - either between staff members or patrons. - e.g. crocheting, gardening
• Department of Environmental Conservation Library has some great books on sustainability that are available for lending through OCLC or CDLC.
• Academic libraries could offer items that students only occasionally need, such as TI calculators, blenders, vacuum cleaners, hammocks, ukeleles. 

What would you like CDLC to do to support your work? What is this group's next step?

• Repair Cafe Workshop
• Sustainability LibGuide
• Sustainability meetings. In-person is best, but maybe virtual in the winter. 
• Sustainability Interest Group and listserv.