Pictured from left to right: Suffolk Cooperative Library System Sustainability Coordinator Alex Blend, Copiague Library Director Kenneth Miller, Sustainable Libraries Initiative co-founder Matthew Bollerman.
Pictured from left to right: Suffolk Cooperative Library System Sustainability Coordinator Alex Blend, Copiague Library Director Kenneth Miller, Sustainable Libraries Initiative co-founder Matthew Bollerman.
The Copiague Memorial Public Library has completed it’s two-year certification process and is now a Certified Sustainable Library. The certification process provided us with a tested, structured path forward to increase our commitment to environmental stewardship. It also required the Library to examine their policies and practices, day-to-day work flow, and building and grounds environment for ways to act in a more sustainable manner in areas such as water and energy use, indoor and outdoor spaces, transportation, fiscal responsibility, resilience planning and collective impact.
A growing number of public libraries across the country are participating in the Sustainable Libraries Initiative (SLI). The SLI empowers library leaders to advance environmentally sound, socially equitable, and economically feasible practices to intentionally address climate change and help promote thriving communities. Sustainable Libraries strive to do this work in a way that builds awareness and consensus while inspiring action by members of the library and its partners to own their role as sustainability leaders in their communities. We are proud to be a part of this initiative.
For more information about the Sustainable Libraries Initiative, please go to https://sustainablelibrariesinitiative.org/
Update: February 27, 2024
Here are some of the things the Library has done and continues to do to promote sustainability:
- Planted native plant and pollinator gardens on Library grounds to replace existing lawn with plants that are native to Long Island and provide food and habitat to bees, moths, butterflies and beneficial insects.
- Reduced or eliminated the use of pesticides and insecticides used on Library grounds.
- Reduced the amount of fertilizer used on Library grounds.
- Lowered the hot water temperature on our boilers to 120 degrees.
- Added fans and HEPA filters in staff and patron areas to increase air flow and promote air quality.
- Provide eco-literacy training for Library staff.
- Updated Library policies to reflect a commitment to sustainability.
- Installed a bicycle repair station near our bicycle rack to promote bicycling to the Library.
- Host an annual Repair Café where volunteers fix small appliances and household goods for patrons.
- Host a Halloween Costume Donation drive and a Chemo Bag drive as part of our Great Give Back initiative.
- Collect plastic packaging, film, bags, and wrappers as part of our participation in the TREX Community Recycling challenge. The Library was awarded a TREX bench for our efforts and continues to collect plastic for recycling.
- Planted a vegetable garden and donate fresh produce to the Our Lady of Assumption Food Pantry and participants in our Summer Meals lunch program.
- Host bicycle safety programs.
- Recycle paper, carboard, bottles, cans, and plastics.
- Dispose of computers, monitors and other outdated technology responsibly at our e-waste collection events.
- Host Operation Medicine Cabinet events so that unwanted prescription medication can be disposed of safely and responsibly.
- Installed water efficient plumbing devices and energy conserving LED lighting throughout the Library.
- Turning off lights in areas of the Library that are not in-use.
- Use rain sensors to monitor irrigation use.
- Use BPA-free receipt paper.
- Provide re-usable cloth bags for patrons.
- Host an annual Seed Library that encourages patrons to pick up vegetable and flower seeds from the Library and grow their own gardens.
Future Plans:
- Install charging stations for electric and hybrid vehicles.
Resources on ridesharing and how to improve your commute.