Curtis Memorial Library has been certified sustainable by the Sustainable Library Certification Program. Curtis is the first library outside the program’s home state of New York to earn the designation. The certification highlights the role Curtis Memorial Library plays as a leader in sustainability in the Midcoast.
“Curtis Memorial Library has demonstrated a commitment to sustainability at an impressive level,” said Rebekkah Smith Aldrich, co-founder of the Sustainable Libraries Initiative, which runs the program. “They are early adopters of this work in the field and in their community and are helping to lead the way to create a vibrant, future-focused library that is contributing to community resilience both locally and globally.”
In alignment with the “triple bottom line” definition of sustainability, Curtis has demonstrated leadership not only in environmental sustainability, but also in advancing social equity and financial sustainability. The extensive range of programming found at Curtis displays the attention its staff pays to educating and serving the community with compassion and dignity for all.
This commitment to sustainability is also highlighted through Curtis’ relationships with community organizations, including the Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program, Brunswick Housing Authority, and Midcoast Indigenous Awareness Group.
“All of these connections have been very helpful in raising public awareness about the library and how it can support community initiatives,” said Curtis’ executive director, Elisabeth Doucett.
Curtis Memorial Library is among a growing number of libraries nationwide that are participating in the Sustainable Library Certification Program, the first of its kind in the world. The program was developed to help public and academic libraries, as well as individual school librarians, create opportunities to make better choices on behalf of the local and global community.
Founded in 1883 as the Brunswick Public Library Association, Curtis Memorial Library is celebrating 140 years of serving the readers of Brunswick and later Harpswell. To learn more about sustainability at Curtis Memorial Library, visit curtislibrary.com/sustainability.
