A new partnership between the Sustainable Libraries Initiative (SLI) and the Maine Library Association (MLA) aims to equip MLA members with resources and tools to address the challenges of climate change in their communities.

Through this partnership, MLA members will join a nationwide community of practice who are using tools created or compiled by the SLI and its members to uncover ways that their libraries and communities will understand, lessen, and adapt to the effects of climate change. These tools include a custom CO2 calculator to help members estimate their current institutional greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to measure progress in efforts to reduce GHG emissions; a vendor list to aid in using environmentally friendly products and services; policy and programming examples; a webinar archive and the Road Map to Sustainability resource to help with planning. MLA members will also receive a 20% discount on the award-winning Sustainable Library Certification Program.

“The Maine Library Association is thrilled to offer this exciting benefit to our members. The Sustainable Libraries Initiative is an important tool for all libraries engaged in the essential work of environmental sustainability, social equity and economic vitality. We look forward to our work together to support Maine libraries,” said Amy Wisehart, President of the Maine Library Association.

“We applaud the Maine Library Association for seeking this partnership to enable all of their members to accelerate their adoption of sustainable thinking,” said Rebekkah Smith Aldrich, Board President of the Sustainable Libraries Initiative, “Positioning the Maine library community as leaders in the conversation about climate change mitigation and adaptation is a strong move to ensure libraries contribute to their community’s resilience and remain relevant and responsive institutions.”

The Sustainable Libraries Initiative’s Sustainable Libraries Certification Program (SLCP) provides library leaders with a tested, structured path forward to increase your library’s commitment to environmental stewardship, economic feasibility, and social equity. The certification program–with versions available for public libraries, academic libraries, library systems, and school librarians-guides participants to look to their communities to identify needs and potential partners, adjust their current practices to align with the triple-bottom-line definition of sustainability, and reflect on how these actions are having a real impact in their organization and community.

Members of the Maine Library Association who opt in will receive one free year of annual membership to the Sustainable Libraries Initiative and a 20% discount on the award-winning Sustainable Library Certification Program. Cohorts of five or more libraries will receive a 25% discount on certification, supporting the principle that there is power in collective action.

Sustainable Libraries Initiative
The Sustainable Libraries Initiative is a member-driven organization that empowers library professionals to be leaders using triple-bottom-line sustainability (environmental stewardship, social equity, and economic feasibility) throughout their organizations and in their communities. The Sustainable Library Certification Program is now enrolling public and academic libraries, library systems, and school librarians nationwide.