The Lynnfield Public Library is Becoming More Sustainable for the Environment (and Your Wallet!)

The Lynnfield Public Library has made a commitment to sustainability by joining the Sustainable Libraries Initiative’s award-winning Sustainable Library Certification Program (SLCP)!  The Sustainable Libraries Initiative (SLI) is a not-for-profit organization with a mission to empower library leaders in advancing environmentally sound, socially equitable, and economically feasible practices to intentionally address climate change and co-create thriving communities. 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. 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. 

Rather than requiring difficult, expensive, or immediate changes to a library’s infrastructure and daily functioning, the SLCP takes a unique approach to sustainability by ensuring that the most important changes stem from a library’s long-term philosophy, decision-making abilities, and goal-setting strategies. The program guides participants into a mindset shift, encourages the commitment of making informed choices for the future, and builds the understanding behind each step that makes each positive change a conscious one instead of becoming a mindless routine. 

By joining over 100 other libraries across the U.S. and Canada on the journey to certification, The Lynnfield Public Library is becoming a leader in sustainable practices that will create a true lasting impact on their community and contribute to the essential widespread movement towards a healthier planet. 

Libraries are already a model of sustainability – you are borrowing instead of buying items whenever you check out materials! The Lynnfield Public Library staff and Trustees are ready to take that even further. We have started composting with Black Earth Compost. We are partnering with the Recycling Committee to provide recycling for batteries, small electronics, and printer cartridges.  In February 2024, we launched our seed library. You can learn more about our commitment to sustainable practices by visiting our website. We have been a Climate Hub through Communities Responding to Extreme Weather for several years now. Plus, our Library of Things allows you to borrow specialty items that you only use occasionally instead of buying them – such as puzzles, board games, technology, travel items, and more – saving you money and clutter. In the coming months, we will be adding a bike repair station, more programming about all aspects of sustainability, rain barrels, and, hopefully, a native plant garden.

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. This isn’t even counting the technology use, WiFi, printing, notary services, proctoring services, Library of Things, or tutoring space, so your return on investment is likely even higher. Using the library is good for the environment and even better for your wallet!  This is going to be a community effort, so please reach out with any ideas for programs, services, and other sustainability ideas. This is YOUR library, we want to hear from you! Please email Director Abby Porter at aporter@noblenet.org or call 781-334-5411 with any comments or questions.