Sustainability
During the 2024 Strategic Planning process, the Kennebunk Free Library (KFL) incorporated an action item to “Investigate and assess facility plans against the Sustainable Libraries Initiative Certification Program.” This initiative aims to direct staff, volunteers, and patrons toward reducing the Library’s carbon footprint, minimizing waste, and enhancing available resources for both patrons and the community.
The Sustainable Libraries Initiative’s Sustainable Libraries Certification Program (SLCP) is a nationally recognized certification that provides public, academic, and school libraries with a tested, structured path forward to increase each library’s commitment to environmental stewardship, economic feasibility, and social equity. KFL enrolled in the SLCP in February 2025, demonstrating a commitment to more than 100 action items designed to advance sustainable practices within the Library and foster sustainability throughout the community.
Developed by the Sustainable Libraries Initiative, the program organizes these action items into twelve categories:
- Organizational Commitment
- Energy
- Materials Management – Waste & Recycling
- Materials Management – Purchasing
- Transportation
- Land Use
- Water
- Collective Impact
- Social Cohesion
- Community Resilience
- Financial Sustainability
- Collections
The Director and Board of Trustees aim to apply sustainable decision making throughout the Library’s policies, procedures, and practices, including, but not limited to, the areas of facilities, operations, technology, programming, purchasing, and partnerships.
We welcome your ideas and help!
