September 23, 2024. The Association of Research Libraries (ARL) is partnering with the Sustainable Libraries Initiative (SLI) to enable all ARL member institutions to become members of the SLI for 12 months and receive a discounted rate for joining the Sustainable Library Certification Program (SLCP). This partnership is in effect through December 31, 2025, and may be renewed.
The Sustainable Libraries Initiative provides library leaders with a proven path forward to co-create libraries and communities that will thrive in the coming years. The Sustainable Library Certification Program and the SLI community of practice enables libraries, and ultimately their communities, to become more environmentally sound, socially equitable, and economically feasible.
"We are excited for this opportunity to partner with ARL and more deeply connect with the research library community," said Rebekkah Smith Aldrich, co-founder and president of the Sustainable Libraries Initiative.
"ARL's commitment to advance an equitable, enduring, research environment dovetails wonderfully with the SLI's mission to empower library leaders to intentionally address climate change through their work and co-create thriving communities," said ARL President Trevor A. Dawes, vice provost for Libraries and Museums and May Morris University Librarian at University of Delaware.
"We think this partnership will supercharge this work across the academic library community and therefore campuses across North America," added Aldrich.
ARL member institutions will enjoy access to all SLI "Members Only" resources, such as the Road Map to Sustainability, vendor list, on-demand webinars, discounted or free access to the SLI-ALA eCourse on Sustainability, and the Climate Action Lab for Libraries. Additionally, SLI is giving ARL members a 20% discount on certification through the Sustainable Library Certification Program for any individual ARL member and a 25% discount for cohorts of five or more libraries.
Look for more information about the SLI and the SLCP in ARL communication channels in coming weeks, including two kickoff webinars to introduce the SLI and the SLCP respectively. ARL member representatives will have the opportunity to meet SLI leadership at an upcoming Association Meeting.
About the Association of Research Libraries
The Association of Research Libraries (ARL) is a nonprofit organization of research libraries in Canada and the US whose vision is to create a trusted, equitable, and inclusive research and learning ecosystem and prepare library leaders to advance this work in strategic partnership with member libraries and other organizations worldwide. ARL's mission is to empower and advocate for research libraries and archives to shape, influence, and implement institutional, national, and international policy. ARL develops the next generation of leaders and enables strategic cooperation among partner institutions to benefit scholarship and society. ARL is on the web at ARL.org.
About the Sustainable Libraries Initiative
The Sustainable Libraries Initiative is a member-driven organization that empowers library professionals to be leaders in triple-bottom-line sustainability (environmental stewardship, social equity, and economic feasibility) both within their organizations and in their communities. The Sustainable Library Certification Program is now enrolling public and academic libraries, library systems, and school librarians.
