Longwood Public Library is committed to reducing the library’s environmental footprint and promoting environmental stewardship, as evidenced by the library’s decision to pursue LEED Platinum Certification (achieved in March 2017) and to join the New York Library Association’s (NYLA) Sustainable Library Certification Program. The library supports principles that ensure a resilient, sustainable community and library for all residents.
The library will strive to improve its environmental performance over time, participating in projects, activities, and practices that will further reduce environmental impacts. The library’s commitment to environmental sustainability extends to its patrons, administration, employees and the general community.
The library will:
- Observe all applicable environmental regulations
- Prevent pollution whenever possible
- Train all staff on the library’s environmental sustainability program, empowering employees to participate
- Communicate the library’s environmental commitment to patrons, administration, staff and the general community
- Continually improve by striving to measure the library’s environmental impacts and setting goals to reduce them when possible
All employees will receive a copy of this policy upon hire, and will be educated regarding the library’s efforts to continue to strive towards the “triple bottom line” definition of sustainability, which states that to be truly sustainable, an organization must embody practices that are environmentally sound, economically feasible, and socially equitable.
Energy Management
The library will strive for superior energy efficiency, identifying and using products and equipment that are the most energy-efficient whenever practical.
The library will work to reduce its overall use of energy, optimizing equipment settings and schedules to meet the needs of the community, staff, and service program while achieving superior energy efficiency.
Materials Management
The library will endeavor to donate deaccessioned materials to not-for-profit organizations whenever practicable, purchase supplies only as-needed, and purchase sustainably-produced, recyclable and/or biodegradable materials whenever practicable.
Transportation
The library will encourage efficient travel practices when travel is necessary/important. Best practices, such as carpooling and use of technology to remotely hold and attend meetings, will be employed whenever practicable.
Land Use
The library will strictly observe all laws pertaining to land use, as well as practice good stewardship regarding its policies and practices.
Water Reduction/Conservation
The library will endeavor to reduce its use of water in the building and on the grounds, and keep our groundwater clean. This will be achieved through a combined approach involving equipment selection, policy and practices.
Solid Waste Management
The library will attempt to recycle as many disposed materials as possible, including but not limited to materials made of paper, plastic, aluminum and/or glass. The library will endeavor, whenever practicable, to dispose of equipment and supplies that have reached the end of their useful lives by either donating them to a not-for-profit organization or recycling them.
Policy 600-60
Adopted 11/20
Revised 8/21
