New Collaboration Offers Leadership Opportunity for Public Libraries in New York State
The New York Library Association (NYLA), and Westchester Green Business have announced a new collaboration that will strengthen libraries and their communities for decades to come by providing a clear path forward toward environmental sustainability for participating libraries.
Through funding awarded through Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s Cleaner, Greener Communities (CGC) Program, Westchester Green Business has opened access to their groundbreaking program that has helped dozens of businesses, nonprofits and the award-winning Hendrick Hudson Free Library make operational decisions that result in more sustainable, resilient futures for themselves and their communities. This collaboration helps bring to life the Resolution on the Importance of Sustainable Libraries unanimously passed in 2014 by the Council of the New York Library Association.
The CGC program is a statewide initiative, administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), that encourages communities to incorporate sustainability goals and principles into local decision-making, and then form partnerships to transform markets, leading to a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and generation of economic development benefits.
“Participation in the certification program not only provided us the opportunity to evaluate and enhance our sustainability efforts,” said Hendrick Hudson Free Library director Jill Davis, “but it allowed us to become part of a greater movement which has created unique partnerships and educational possibilities.”
The program, Green Business Certification, provides a turnkey system to successfully integrate sustainable practices into library operations. Library leaders will learn exactly where resources are being wasted and identify opportunities to increase efficiency and save money. Proprietary performance tools are used to calculate the economic and environmental impacts of energy, travel, waste, water and refrigerants in a library, while staff surveys gauge behavioral impacts.
Dani Glaser, Westchester Green Business Program Director commented, “It is an honor to have been selected by NYLA to provide the benchmarking platform for their Sustainability Initiative. Libraries are uniquely positioned to make a significant impact influencing patrons, communities, and libraries across the nation about the importance of sustainability.”
Check out this short video: https://youtu.be/5fQBqehRL6Y to learn more about the program and its benefits for libraries from Jill Davis, the director of the award-winning Hendrick Hudson Free Library, the first library in the state to become certified under this program. She is joined by Dani Glaser, Westchester Green Business Program Director who provides introductory information about the program.
Thanks to this collaboration any public library in New York State may join this program and benefit from the 10% discount for non-profit organizations. Check out the 2017 Membership Rates and access the Membership form here: http://climatechange.westchestergov.com/green-business/westchester-green-business-certified