Lithgow Public Library Sustainability Policy
Lithgow Public Library strives to apply environmentally sound, socially equitable, and economically feasible practices to intentionally address climate change and co-create thriving communities. As a public library located in the capital, we recognize our duty to serve and represent not only our Augusta community, but also the state of Maine as a whole. In acknowledgement of the American Library Association adopting sustainability as a core value of librarianship, the Board of Trustees and staff of Lithgow Public Library recognize the important role libraries can play in larger community conversations about resiliency, climate change, and a sustainable future. We are committed to applying sustainable thinking in the areas of our facilities, operations, policy, technology, programming, and partnerships.
As sustainability practices evolve, we strive to continue to learn and educate others. As we seek to reduce our impact on the environment, we are committed to continually evaluating our processes, and taking actions to:
- Reduce the amount of energy we consume
- Reduce the amount of natural resources we consume
- Reduce the amount of pollutants we contribute
- Increase the amount of recycling in our waste stream
- Sustainably plan and manage our indoor and outdoor spaces
- Make purchasing decisions that place a high value on sustainably produced products, products from local businesses, items made of recycled and/or eco-friendly materials, energy star rated products, all while factoring in transportation, packaging costs and health impacts
- Promote the use of sustainable transportation
- Educate staff on sustainability goals and practices by implementing proper training
- Sustainably obtain, manage, and dispose of library collections
- Consider collective impact and social cohesion in our programs, outreach, partnerships and advocacy work
- Promote sustainability and social equity in our programs, outreach, partnerships and advocacy work
- Ensure resiliency by maintaining financial sustainability, a disaster preparedness plan, and an environmentally-conscious strategic plan
Lithgow Public Library is committed to reducing our environmental impact and maximizing future generations’ ability to live, work, and play in our shared natural environment, with equal access to clean air, clean water, and natural resources.
