Sustainability

🏠︎ / Sustainability

Sustainability is an important worldwide matter and one of the American Library Association’s five core values. In alignment with this value, the David & Joyce Milne Public Library commits to advancing environmental sustainability. Our sustainability committee formed by staff, Board members, and community members endeavors to reduce the library’s ecological footprint through initiatives such as energy conservation, recycling, and sustainable purchasing practices. The library also commits to promote sustainability through outreach and programming that engage patrons and the broader community in learning about, enhancing, and enjoying these sustainability efforts.

Endorsed by the Board of Trustees February 11, 2026

Initiatives & Resources

Each year we recognize and host or highlight events for Climate Preparedness Week which is the last week of September!

Many Massachusetts libraries collaborate with Communities Responding to Extreme Weather (CREW) on Climate Preparedness Week to prepare communities for extreme weather by offering programs about emergency preparedness and the intersection of climate change and social justice.

The Milne Public Library has hosted a multitude of events throughout the year including climate change book talks, foraging walks and talks, slideshows by naturalists, book displays, and a Community Eco-Fair. The library is also a designated cooling center.
Compost Your Food Waste at the Milne!
Our library is happy to partner with Second Chance Composting to offer composting services to patrons free of charge. Space is limited. Please sign up if you would like to bring food waste to the library.

Second Chance Composting accepts organic waste that is often times hard to compost in backyard bins due to pests. All eligible items are accepted including meats, bones, and shells! By composting your organic waste, you keep food out of the landfill and allow it to become nutrient-rich soil for our community.

Before depositing your food scraps you will be required to sign a participation contract which will be sent via email from Second Chance Composting.

Become a Member Today
Read the Blog
Raised beds are located in the courtyard with a rotating selection of herbs, fruits, and vegetables for all to enjoy.

In 2026, we grew herbs, Swiss chard, cherry tomatoes, strawberries, bok choy , nasturtiums. and even Stockbridge Beans, which were cultivated by the Stockbridge-Munsee in this area for centuries.

Produce grown in these garden beds are available to library patrons to take. We plan to continue growing fruits, vegetables, and herbs and providing them for free in the coming years. We expect the gardening space will continue to expand.
We have heat pumps and mini-splits strategically installed throughout portions of the building to enhance temperature control and improve overall energy efficiency.

These systems work to supplement our existing heating and cooling infrastructure, ensuring a more comfortable environment for both patrons and staff. While they have been a valuable addition, further expansion may be necessary to achieve optimal climate regulation across the entire facility.
Our library is proud to host a dedicated pollinator garden at the entrance of the library as well as on other parts of the grounds. It's a vibrant and flourishing space designed to support bees, butterflies, and other essential pollinators. Anyone can enjoy our outdoor seating.

Thanks to the guidance, support, and maintenance from members of Bee Friendly Williamstown and the Xerces Society, this garden features a diverse selection of native plants that provide vital food sources and habitat for pollinators throughout the seasons. Library gardens are regularly maintained by the Williamstown Garden Club and other dedicated volunteers.
Since 2025, we have hosted a seed library throughout the growing season. It contains organic, non-GMO seeds of all kinds that anyone can take to grow vegetables, herbs, fruits and flowers at home. Thanks to the hard work of volunteers and committee members, we distribute over 1,000 mini-packets of seeds each season. We encourage participants to exchange saved seeds at the end of the season.

Learn more about the Seed Library by reading our blog post, and look for seeds in the card catalog again each Spring!
Blog Post
Seed Library 2025 Booklet
As part of our commitment to sustainability, our library has embraced renewable energy with the installation of solar panels. These panels harness the power of the sun to generate clean, efficient electricity, reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and lowering our overall carbon footprint.

By integrating solar energy into our operations, we are not only cutting energy costs but also setting an example of environmental stewardship for our community. This initiative reflects our dedication to creating a more sustainable future while continuing to provide vital resources in an eco-friendly space.
Sustainabili-Reads is a library reading group covering books and articles that touch on sustainability matters of all kinds.

See when and what we'll be reading next here!
Our TerraCycle Zero Waste Boxes are available to the public to help residents recycle materials otherwise headed to the landfill. We are able to provide this service thanks to a Sustainable & Resilient New England Libraries Grant.

You can learn more about this project by reading the TerraCycle blog linked here.
To limit disposal of single-use items and/or plastics, the library:

Provides reusable coffee mugs at our coffee station

Provides instant coffee to limit K-cup waste

Provides a community tote bag exchange

Saves and re-uses paper for printing purposes

Provides a filtered, refillable water bottle fountain

Provides the Break Room Zero Waste Box from TerraCycle to recycle K-cups, to-go cups, and other supplies

Provides unbleached paper and/or recycled products in all restrooms

Replaced all overhead lights with LED bulbs

Completely eliminated insecticide and rodenticide in building and grounds
Translucent bird feeders are installed on four of the library's windows to support the local bird population and for the enjoyment of our patrons.