Sustainable Library Certification Awarded to the Mid-Hudson Library System (NY)

The Sustainable Libraries Initiative has announced that my very own Mid-Hudson Library System (MHLS) has been certified through the Sustainable Library Certification Program.

As part of our certification process, MHLS developed policies that explicitly state the importance of considering triple bottom line sustainability in decision-making at all levels of the organization. We have made efforts to reduce waste by exclusively using reusable cups, dishes, and cutlery in their staff areas and conference rooms. We started composting food waste on-site and recently installed EV chargers in our parking lot. We regularly highlight member libraries who demonstrate programs or events that focus on environmental stewardship in their newsletter. To decorate for a recent event, the staff upcycled discarded books into pumpkin centerpieces to adorn the tables, created birdhouses out of children’s book covers (pictured), and made trees out of old magazines.

MHLS has continued to find new and innovative ways to expand library services, create new partnerships, and find new ways to inform and empower their member libraries and communities. Their Library of Local project was formed in partnership with Partners for Climate Action Hudson Valley to assist community members in taking action on the climate crisis. This project includes a lending library and programming developed around a yearly theme. Fifteen MHLS libraries were selected to participate, providing a network of climate resilience resources in communities throughout their service area.

See the highlights in the Sustainable Libraries Initiative’s November 2022 Newsletter, Press Release, and our Certification Presentation.