March 2024 | Volume XLII, Issue 1 »

Step Up Your Library’s Green Programming

March 1, 2024
Laura L. Barnes, University of Illinois Prairie Research Institute, Illinois Sustainable Technology Center

The popularity of sustainability in libraries has increased in recent years, spurred in part by the climate crisis. In 2019, ALA Council adopted sustainability as a core value of librarianship. The 2024 iREAD theme “Read, Renew, Repeat” has also sparked interest in the topic.

I recently interviewed Christine Poreba, the Oak Park Public Library’s Environmental Programming Specialist, and Jill Franklin, a Northbrook Public Library reference librarian who organizes green programs. They offered a wealth of advice for library staff who are new to sustainability programming. Responses have been edited for length and clarity.

HOW DO YOU CHOOSE PROGRAM TOPICS?

Christine: This is one of the areas I was nervous about when I started. It happened more organically than I expected. This is a new position for the library, so it’s an opportunity to try different things and see how they go. Living in Oak Park and having regular conversations with community members at and outside of work has helped me understand what is top of mind.

When I began my position, we already had one program in the planning stages. A local environmental poet read from her book and the Village of Oak Park’s Chief Sustainability Officer spoke about ways to get involved in climate action. The Village’s sustainability officer and I then collaborated on several energy programs with the Citizens Utility Board including topics on home energy improvements, solar power, and decarbonization.

A conversation I had with a colleague about an artist whose work had been exhibited at the library earlier this year (2023) led to an upcycled workshop with the artist. Another conversation with a local environmental leader led me to an amazing programmer at the Evanston Public Library and she very generously shared a bunch of her program contacts. I also selected two programs offered by the Cook County Department of Sustainability on recycling and electric vehicles.

Jill: Many programs begin as a suggestion from one of our community partner organizations. They propose topics or speakers they’ve heard. Their suggestions give me insight into community interests or trending topics, as does working directly with the community at the public service desk and collaborating with local organizations.

I also take cues from our Village’s Climate Action Plan priorities and regularly support their climate education initiatives. When the Village established a demonstration vegetable garden, we supplemented their hands-on workshops with a series of how-to lectures. We also collaborated on a presentation when they promoted rooftop solar.

The library programming listservs are a wonderful source for ideas on all subjects. There’s so much creativity among library programmers! 

I also find inspiration from my own reading and events I attend. A 2018 article on forest therapy (absorbing the healing properties of trees) led to a two-part series: a lecture on the science and health benefits of forest therapy (also called forest bathing) and an experiential walk with a trained guide. The walk was so popular that we’ve been holding them in all seasons ever since. I came upon a tofu cooking demonstration at a food education festival in Chicago that evolved into a library program making non-dairy, nut-based cheese. The program became part of a series on sustainability, health, and a plant-based diet and accompanied a traveling exhibit called the Vegetarian Museum.

HOW DO YOU IDENTIFY PRESENTERS AND OTHER COMMUNITY PARTNERS?

Communicty Conversations on Climnate Ready Oak Park One Year In

Christine: Identifying community partners has also come about more naturally than I’d anticipated and in tandem with events and colleagues. One of our most active community partnerships started from a colleague mentioning a local umbrella organization of groups working together to spread awareness about the Oak Park Climate Action Plan. At almost half of the events I’ve organized, either a speaker or a participant has said something or shared a name that has led to another contact and potential event.

Jill: Our community partnerships evolved naturally. Go Green Northbrook, an active grassroots environmental organization, reached out to me when they were just starting out. We’ve been collaborating ever since. The local garden club is another enthusiastic local organization. Their commitment to sustainable gardening practices, and the passion for gardening in our community, has made them a great programming partner.

We have a strong relationship with our local Village government. The Village Climate Action Plan contains a community education component. The library is a natural fit for hosting presentations and developing programs that will further their sustainability priorities. Local chapters of environmental organizations often have speakers eager to share their expertise, as do groups devoted to special topics such as electric vehicles or bird rescues.

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR MOST SUCCESSFUL PROGRAM?

Christine: Two of my most successful programs have been Solar Power Hour and a Halloween costume swap. The Solar Power Hour featured a presentation by the Citizens Utility Board to discuss Solar Switch Chicagoland and provide an overview of solar power. Nearly fifty people attended the event, despite a tornado warning.

The Halloween Costume Swap was a collaborative effort with a children’s librarian and attracted over 100  participants. Because of the program’s success, we decided that we would offer the program this year and extended our drop-off period for costume donations to mid-November.

Jill: Our outdoor bird watching walks and forest bathing sessions always have waiting lists. Nature outings can help develop a sense of care for the planet and lend themselves to learning about related topics like light pollution’s effect on birds and wildlife.

One of our more involved and rewarding programs was a food waste fair and film. We screened a documentary on the environmental impact of food production and waste, followed by discussion. Afterward, we had three composting demonstrations (a patron showcased her worm bin!), a food swap group, the local food pantry, stem-and-peel cooking demos, and more. Approximately 120 people walked through the fair and I know many of them had meaningful conversations with the vendors. It was a fun way to learn how food waste contributes to climate change and relatively easy ways to avoid it.

Our Maker Services Department puts on a popular repair event where patrons bring in household items to be fixed by volunteers. People are thrilled when their item has been given new life and we love helping our community reduce waste and slow down the consumption cycle.

HAVE YOU HAD PUSHBACK FROM THE COMMUNITY ABOUT ANY OF YOUR PROGRAMS?

Christine: I have had absolutely none! I feel very lucky for that.

Jill: Not at all! Many events have wide appeal and attract community members who don’t identify as environmentalists. Sustainable gardening programs and nature experiences are just two examples but so many topics can be presented with a sustainability lens. Occasionally a participant will remark on the bleak outlook for future Earth after attending a more sobering climate change program but most presentations offer solutions that people can implement in their own lives to mitigate their contribution to climate change.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO OTHER LIBRARIANS WHO WANT TO FOCUS ON SUSTAINABILITY PROGRAMMING?

Christine: As I’ve had to remind myself many times these last few months, building something new takes time and anything you do is something that didn’t exist before. Starting out small might be what’s best for your situation and role. Crafting can be a way in. If it’s something using paper, try to incorporate scraps or old books or magazines. Look for artists in your area who are using upcycled art. Maybe a conversation with a patron sparks an idea.

I also found that starting with presenters who are free takes some pressure off. University Extension offices, county offices, and local environmental commissions can be great places to start. Book discussions, films, and podcasts can also be conversation starters and good entry points for sustainability topics.

Jill: Sustainability education can be approached from so many angles that are accessible and appealing to a general audience without presenting a bleak outlook. Topics like nature, gardening, plant-based cooking, non-toxic cleaning solutions, and zero waste/consumer habits are just a handful of accessible subjects where individuals can make a difference for the environment by shifting habits without a significant financial investment. These lifestyle programs balance weightier programs on climate science, climate justice, and species decline.

Documentary films are sometimes a more inviting approach to a difficult topic than a lecture. We’ve covered some of the heavier topics such as animal agriculture and ocean warming with documentaries. The images are powerful but the documentaries end with a call to action that offers some hope.

Incorporate sustainability into programming you’re already doing. If you host cooking programs, schedule plant-based sessions and set up a companion display of vegan cookbooks. Build interest with topics that appeal to a wide audience but have a sustainable aspect. Gardening programs are a natural fit. If you work at a public service desk, tune into the subjects patrons inquire about to develop a sense of what is trending in your community and what they care about.

Tap into your own interests for inspiration and find the sustainability angle. If you’re a crafter, consider hosting a craft swap to connect those who need crafting supplies with those ready to give away their supplies. A passion for animals might inspire programs on wildlife to learn about their role in the ecosystem, perils they face, and how humans can help them survive. Give new topics a try and listen for reactions. Not every program will be hit but all will find their audience. 

MORE IDEAS TO INSPIRE YOU (FROM SMALL TO LARGE)

  • Become a collection site for TerraCycle (TerraCycle.com) or Call2Recycle (batteries) (Call2Recycle.org).
  • International Compost Awareness Week is May 5-11, 2024. The Illinois Food Scrap & Composting Coalition (illinoiscomposts.org/ICAW-2024) has put together a guide for libraries, a composting booklist, and will promote your program if you register with them.
  • Host an environmental book group. The Oak Park Public Library and the Northbrook Public Library both host monthly discussions. The Black River Falls (WI) Public Library’s green book club includes a list of books they’ve read. A list of past and upcoming books for the Oak Park group is available online.
  • The University of Illinois Prairie Research Institute (prairie.illinois.edu) has scientists who give talks to the public on a variety of environmental topics including climate and weather, Illinois archaeology, everyday sustainability at home, the impact of contaminants like PFAS and microplastics, earthquakes, and fossils and dinosaurs. Contact Angie Coy (wisehart@illinois.edu) for more information on locating a speaker for your particular program.
  • The Traveling Science Center, an outreach program of the Prairie Research Institute, is a 320 square foot mobile classroom featuring informative, engaging exhibits on sustainability, biodiversity, and natural resources that visits schools and communities across Illinois. Contact tsc@inhs.illinois.edu for information about scheduling.
  • The Belleville Public Library installed a solar array at the main library and are working towards the installation of EV charging stations that they hope will be in place by early 2024.
  • The Rochester and Sugar Grove Public Libraries host farmers markets.
  • The Evanston Public Library created the annual Blueberry Awards, which honors children’s literature that strengthens kids’ connections with nature and fosters action for the planet.
  • Montgomery County Public Libraries (MD) made their summer reading program green by eliminating plastic toy incentives in favor of free books and fundraising for local organizations. The librarians who organized the program spoke about it at LibLearnX 2024.
  • The Madison (WI) Public Library hosts free mending at the library through a partnership with Sewing Machine Project (TheSewingMachineProject.org), a local non-profit that offers sewing tools and education. The Evanston Public Library hosts a monthly repair café. Their volunteers help people diagnose, troubleshoot, and/or fix small appliances, sewing/mending needs, electronics, and jewelry.
  • The Sacramento (CA) Public Library organizes an annual prom drive and giveaway to give formal wear new life and make it possible for all teens to afford prom.

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