The Laurel-Jones County Library System Sustainability Pledge
Our Commitment to a Better Future
At the Laurel-Jones County Library System, we believe that enriching our community goes hand in hand with protecting our shared environment. We are dedicated to empowering our citizens not only through information but also through responsible stewardship of our resources.
To support a sustainable future and foster a circular economy, we pledge to:
- Minimize Waste & Maximize Access
- Extend the Life of Books: We will ensure no book goes to waste. We commit to recycling used books by gifting them to community members without library cards, to other organizations promoting literacy, and to supporting the many “Little Free Libraries,” ensuring literacy materials reach those who need them most while keeping paper out of landfills.
- Champion Creative Reuse: We will integrate sustainability into our programming by reusing materials for craft projects and community art, turning potential waste into tools for educational and personal growth.
- Reduce Consumption: We will strive to continue growing our “Library of Things” collection, allowing patrons to borrow rarely used items (such as tools, cake pans, puzzles, games, craft supplies, and electronics) rather than buying them, thereby reducing community-wide consumption.
- Promote Energy Efficiency & Mobility
- Green Outreach: We are using our Mobile Book Trolley to bring services directly to rural areas. By bringing the library to the people, we aim to significantly reduce the number of individual vehicle trips to our physical locations, lowering our community’s carbon footprint.
- Efficient Operations: We are continuously evaluating our internal operations to identify opportunities for energy conservation, from lighting upgrades to mindful resource management.
III. Foster a Greener Community
- Cultivate Sustainability: We will continue sustainability initiatives such as our free Seed Library and Repair Workshops to teach skills that encourage self-sufficiency, gardening, and the repair of goods rather than their disposal.
- Educate and Inspire: We will use our platform as a center for information to provide resources on environmental stewardship, empowering our patrons to make sustainable choices in their own lives.
Signed, The Laurel-Jones County Library System