Green Business Partnership

Final Report of the Mid-Hudson Library System | April 2019

Our Mission:

The Mid-Hudson Library System (MHLS) is a cooperative library system chartered by the New York Board of Regents dedicated to strengthening local library service while saving local tax dollars.

�Since 1959 MHLS has worked with its member libraries to insure:

• the public’s right to free access
• economical resource sharing
• professional library services

​

MHLS�At-a-Glance:

• Our service area includes �5 counties: Columbia, Dutchess, Greene, Putnam & Ulster Counties
• We have 66 member libraries, �18 FTE and a board of 15 citizens
• We help serve over 660,000 residents of the Hudson Valley

• We are primarily funded by the State of New York with assistance from an investment by our member libraries.
• We have two facilities, an office building and an auditorium

Sustainability Initiative Team Members

We did our homework!

To learn more about this program members of the MHLS Sustainability Initiative Team visited with certified GBP organizations.

​

Shown above: Chris Herron, MHLS Facilities Manager; Joan Kay, MHLS Financial Assistant, Rebekkah Smith Aldrich, MHLS Executive Director; Jill Davis, HHFL Director; Linda Vittone, MHLS Financial Manager & Personnel Officer; and Ric Swierat, MHLS Trustee and retired director of The ARC in Westchester.

​

Our initial assessment in October 2017 indicated we had quite a bit of work to do… �

Our Staff Survey showed us we were ready!

• 100% of the staff consider themselves environmentally conscious

• 95% consider our workplace to be environmentally friendly

​

• 100% think it is worthwhile for MHLS to investigate ways to be more environmentally responsible

​

GBP Training

Casey Conlin, MHLS Library Sustainability Coordinator; Rebekkah Smith Aldrich, MHLS Executive Director; and Kerstin Cruger, MHLS Library Sustainability Associate & Communications Specialist attended the GPB Intern Training in Westchester County.

Staff Engagement��We felt it was critical to our success to have early staff �buy-in and a strong communication strategy�

• Orientation for All Staff
• Why we are pursuing this certification:
• To demonstrate leadership on a topic of critical importance to our member libraries;
• Collaborative project of MHLS staff and trustees;
• Potential to reduce long-term operating costs; and
• Help make the world a better place!
• Staff Survey
• Staff Events
• Lunch & Learn
• Earth Day Events
• Fall Clean Up Day
• Sustainability Section on the Staff web page
• Sustainability Initiative Bulletin Board in the Break Room
• Monthly eCommunication with Staff
• Regular reports at Supervisor meetings, staff meetings and board meetings

Top Areas of Focus as identified by Staff

• Energy Use
• Green Purchasing
• Waste/Recycling
• Employee Awareness

Earth Day Events

⮈Upcycled Earth Day Event Trophy designed by Joan Kay, member of the MHLS Sustainability Initiative Team!

Lunch & Learns

At the May 2018 Lunch & Learn with MHLS Technology Operations Manager Laurie Shedrick we learned that:

• MHLS saves over $1,600 a year through energy usage reduction just by purchasing ENERGY STAR rated computers and monitors
• MHLS Tech Staff adjusted all desktop computer energy settings in the building to minimize energy consumption
• MHLS Facilities Staff goes the extra mile when disposing of e-waste and ensure that (1) recycling facilities are on file with the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation and (2) companies that haul away our e-waste are third-party certified.

Fall Clean Up�60 years of stuff!��Reusable?��Recyclable?��Reducible in the future?�

Benchmarking

• Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory
• Waste Audits
• Energy Audit
• Technology Audit

Energy

Partnered with L&S Energy Services from Clifton Park, NY to create a pilot program to access NYSERDA’s Flexible Technical Assistance (FlexTech) program funding for energy audits for MHLS’ two facilities and our 66 member libraries’ 70 facilities.

Staff education and protocols about lighting and tech use were our biggest advances in this area once the lighting was upgraded to more energy efficient fixtures.

Next up: Exploring solar for the roof of our office building!

Energy�Research �& Analysis

Policymaking �& Procedures

• Environmental Policy
• Job Descriptions & Job Performance Appraisals
• Centralized Purchasing
• Recycling Rules Posted
• Event Planning & Hospitality Procedures
• Signage
• Green Cleaning Improvements
• “No idling” clause in our new delivery service contract

Signage�-Consistent look�-Branded�-Humor helps!�

Local Food, Local Businesses

Our Earth Day Events have featured foods sourced locally and a cost-benefit analysis of catering choices indicated that using a local business was an affordable choice for future MHLS Events!

Water

Did you know? A leaky faucet that drips at the rate of one drip per second can waste more than 3,000 gallons per year!

• Source-Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Land Use

• All plantings assessed. 100% native plants are on our site!
• Invasive species publication from Cornell Cooperative Extension now part of our facilities team’s documentation.
• Spill kit and procedures developed.
• Irrigation system checks and storm drain cleaning now part of our exterior maintenance checklist.

Transportation

• Upgraded language in our latest RFP for delivery services to include language prioritizing companies that demonstrate a commitment to sustainability and the reduction of greenhouse emissions.
• Video Conferencing equipment installed in our auditorium.
• Participated in the new carbon offset program offered through the American Library Association for their national conference.

Sustainable Choices on the Road

No more plastic water bottles on the bus to Albany for 2019 Library Advocacy Day!

​

We purchased a product which comes in a paper-based bottle with a cap made from sugarcane. The water is responsibly sourced and bottled in Glens Falls, NY.

Spreading �the Word

In August 2018 we partnered with Sustainable Hudson Valley and the Green Business Partnership to introduce the certification program in Dutchess County. Attendees included: Assistant County Executive for Economic Development, Dutchess County legislators, the CEO of Think Dutchess, representatives from Dutchess Tourism, Dutchess County Planning & Development, Dutchess County IDA/LDC, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Dutchess County Community College and the Council of Industry!

Upcycled Decorations @Annual Luncheon with Member Library Directors

Regional Impact

• Eight of our member libraries are now also pursuing certification!
• Desmond-Fish Library (Garrison)
• Town of Esopus Library
• Highland Public Library
• Mahopac Library
• Millbrook Library
• Phoenicia Library
• Saugerties Public Library
• Town of Ulster Public Library

NEXT

• Composting Comes to MHLS in June 2019!
• Solar installation research
• Continue on with recommended items
• Continued tracking of our GHG emissions
• Moving on to the next two areas of the NYLA Sustainable Library Certification:
• Social Equity
• Financial Stewardship

​

Key Takeaways:

• Many MHLS employees had already been making good choices on behalf of our organization, thanks to this process our organization is now purposefully making better choices and has a new culture of deliberate evaluation of our choices.�
• Sustainability is a journey, not a destination. �
• We are a stronger team thanks to this experience.