Sustainable Thinking & Action Round Table (START) Homepage

Sustainable thinking ensures that communities thrive, bounce back from disruption and are infused with new and better life for everyone. Sustainable thinking builds awareness and consensus, and inspires action in library staff to own their role as sustainability leaders in their communities.

The Sustainable Thinking & Action Round Table (START) will provide assistance to the NYLA Sustainability Initiative to facilitate discussion and guide work around sustainable thinking to create resources designed to mobilize libraries within their communities; plan related events and workshops for NYLA; and provide assistance to the NYLA Sustainable Library Certification Program.

Join us today by logging in to your personal NYLA account, click ‘Personal Record Detail’ from the left-hand menu – then click on ‘Add Sections / Round Tables’ from the list of options at the top.

Board and Officers

• Nominations

  • Member-at-Large: Janet Scherer

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    • Statement:
      
      I would be honored to serve as Member at Large for the START Roundtable Board which would afford me the opportunity to work alongside its members and contribute to all efforts that will enable START to pursue its mission and goals. I will also have the good fortune of working with others from around the state.
      
      I have been involved with the Sustainability Initiative for a while now. The more I learn, the more I understand how important this work is. It has completely changed my way of thinking as well as how I manage the role I currently hold as a Public Library Director. Our Library has been certified by the Green Business Partnership and is currently working on our full certification. In our current environment, the ideals of the "triple bottom line" model are necessary for our future success as libraries and places of civic discourse.  I believe the only way forward to heal from all that has occurred in our country, including the recent pandemic, is to start locally, in our own buildings and communities.
      
      I am currently the Director of the South Huntington Public Library in Huntington Station, NY. Prior to my current role, I held the positions of Assistant Director and Head of Youth Services, also in South Huntington.  I obtained both my MLS and Advanced Certificate in Library Administration from the Palmer School at LIU-Post. I have successfully completed coursework given by the Parent Leadership Training Institute, the Huntington Leadership Flagship Program, the Harwood Institute and the first cohort of Community Change Agents led by the NYLA Sustainability Committee. I serve on the Long Island Library Resource Council (LILRC) Board of Directors, the LILRC Annual Conference Committee, and the PLDA/NDA Diversity Committee. Beginning in March, I began serving on the Advisory Board for the Sustainable Libraries Initiative.

  • Treasurer: Jen Ferriss

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    • Statement:
      
      I am excited to have the opportunity to run for the position of START Treasurer. After taking some time off to focus on local and national issues, I am looking forward to working with NYLA and my colleagues across NY. Environmental stewardship, fiscal responsibility and social equity are values that I embrace in my work and personal life. I have led the Saratoga Springs Public Library through the Sustainable Library Certification Program and was one of the co-creators for the certification project. If elected I will be a voice of reason and make sure that START's financial future is secure.
      
      My experience with finances is varied. As a former NYLA Chapter Councilor for ALA (2016-2019) I was elected as a member of the Planning and Budget Assembly for 2 years of my term. I am part of the management team of the Saratoga Springs Public Library; helping to make financial decisions to ensure that the school district residents are getting their needs met. Outside of library work, I am a member of the Wilton Wildlife Preserve and Park Fund Development Committee and the newsletter editor for the Adirondack Mountain Club. Formerly the 2nd Vice Chair for the Saratoga County History Center, money was always tight and financial decisions were always on the agenda.

START Bylaws