How Libraries Support Sustainable Living
Save money while saving the planet
Sustainability has been on many people’s minds lately. Between the economic crunch of high inflation and environmental concerns taking a front seat in public discourse, it’s understandable that more people are looking for ways to achieve an environmentally and economically viable lifestyle. Often, that means finding ways to reduce your consumption or do more with less.
If sustainable living is a top priority for you right now — as it is for many of us — you might be surprised to learn that libraries can be one of your biggest allies (and not just because you can check out books about sustainable living!). In fact, libraries offer a world of resources to help you actualize your reduction goals and live more sustainably. Here’s how:
Free Books and More!
Let’s start with the most obvious value that libraries offer: free access to a vast world of information. That information might be about almost anything, but in the case of sustainable living, there’s plenty you can find at the local library.
Beyond that, libraries are a great way to cut spending on entertainment. Whether you like visiting bookstores on Saturday mornings or are an avid cinephile, your library has some fantastic entertainment options to suit your fancy, such as DVDs, books, and sometimes even streaming service access! The best way to find out what your local branch has is to plan a visit and either browse the shelves or ask the library staff directly.
On the environmental side, borrowing these materials allows them to make a much bigger impact with fewer materials used. This can translate to less landfill waste while still offering entertainment value, not to mention you won’t need to find a place to store them long term!
Beyond Entertainment
In addition to entertainment and educational materials, libraries offer an array of other helpful resources. You might find the following at your neighborhood library:
- Library of Things (LOT). An LOT may lend out anything from bakeware to technology and game boxes, a great — and economically effective — way to learn new skills, make exciting weekend plans, and more.
- Seed Libraries. Often housed in public libraries, seed libraries offer collections of seeds and sometimes other gardening materials so patrons can learn to grow their own food and plants.
- Farmers Markets. Some public libraries host farmers markets, which can reduce food waste, bring us closer to the system that produces our food, and offer lower-cost produce, which can be a huge financial help.
- Workshops, Classes, and Adult Ed. Classes offered by libraries can help you learn new skills, how to care for and maintain things, and much more. Not only are they a free source of information, but they can also empower you to take matters into your own hands and save money by doing things yourself, such as home repairs, resume building, and homesteading.
The Bottom Line
While private businesses might have an economic bottom line, you and your success are the public library’s bottom line. Take a moment to read that again if you need to.
Your and your community’s success is also the library’s success — they are there to help. Whether you go for free entertainment on the weekends or access critical resources that help you thrive, the library has a lot to offer when it comes to cutting costs and living more sustainably.
From entertainment and books to seeds, farmers markets, and even workshops where you can learn valuable new skills, libraries are a haven for the sustainably minded and an excellent starting place for those who wish to live more sustainable lifestyles.
Looking for more information on libraries and how you can get involved? Be sure to visit us online at everylibrary.org, or for more like this, check out the rest of our Medium stories!
Visit www.everylibrary.org to learn more about our work on behalf of libraries.
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