In fall 2024, the University of Maryland Library System earned certification under the University’s Green Workspace Program. The Green Workspace Program provides staff and faculty with the knowledge, skills, and resources to foster sustainability both within UMD and beyond. By working together toward meaningful and achievable goals, the libraries are contributing to a culture of appreciation, recognition, and motivation for shared sustainability values. Notably, 32% of library faculty and staff earned their sustainability badge, reflecting strong engagement in environmental initiatives
The creation of the Sustainability Graduate Assistant position marks a significant milestone in the University of Maryland Libraries' commitment to sustainability. As the first role of its kind, this position was made possible through funding and support from the UMD Sustainability Fund Grant Program and is designed to drive research-driven initiatives that enhance sustainable practices within the Libraries. This role empowers the graduate assistant to apply their academic studies and hands-on experiences in sustainability to real-world challenges in a library setting. In addition to leading the Sustainability Library Certification Program, the student also serves as co-chair of the Library Sustainability Committee, playing a key role in advancing environmental responsibility across library operations. For the 2024-2025 academic year, Julia Ethan will serve as the Sustainability Graduate Assistant, spearheading efforts to integrate sustainability into the Libraries’ infrastructure and programming.
The University of Maryland Library System is a proud member of the Sustainable Libraries Certification Program (SLCP), a comprehensive initiative that guides libraries in adopting environmentally responsible, socially equitable, and economically viable practices. Rooted in the "Triple Bottom Line" framework—which emphasizes sustainability across environmental, social, and economic dimensions—the program provides a rigorous, structured certification process tailored to the unique needs of our library. The UMD Libraries are actively working toward achieving certification by the Fall 2025 semester.
To create a greener, more inviting environment, live plants have been installed throughout the library space, offering numerous benefits such as reducing stress, enhancing well-being, and improving air quality for visitors. This initiative was recently expanded to the Michelle Smith Performing Arts Library, further promoting a sustainable and calming atmosphere across UMD Libraries.
McKeldin Library is currently piloting a sustainability initiative in collaboration with Hydraze, Inc., the 2019 Do Good Challenge venture track winner. This project focuses on significantly reducing toilet water consumption—by an estimated 45%—with the potential to save nearly $4 billion and 200 billion gallons of water annually across the United States. Hydraze is advancing this effort by introducing an innovative stall latch-activated flushing mechanism, which ensures toilets flush only when the stall latch is released. This approach provides a more precise and reliable alternative to traditional automatic sensors, effectively eliminating unnecessary flushes and conserving vast amounts of water.
The Lulu Barnachea Memorial Libraries Sustainability Fund is a newly established initiative honoring the legacy of Lulu Barnachea, a beloved and dedicated member of the UMD Libraries community for over 20 years. Lulu served as Coordinator in the Associate Dean's Office within the Collection Strategies and Services Division, making a lasting impact through her leadership and active involvement in both library and campus-wide committees.
This fund represents a new opportunity for the Libraries to expand our sustainability initiatives and contribute to broader campus and societal sustainability goals. It will support the growth of our collections, enrich sustainability-focused research and teaching resources, and foster educational workshops that equip students and faculty with the knowledge and tools to drive meaningful environmental change.
