Sunnyvale Library highlights sustainability work, library-of-things expansion and $500,000 electrification grant

At the Feb. 3 Board of Library Trustees meeting, library staff described an expanding sustainability program that includes a newly hired sustainability librarian, growing “library of things” collections, repair events and a half-million-dollar grant for electrification at the Lakewood branch.

Shauna C. Dunkley, the library’s adult services supervising librarian, said the library’s philosophy is "renewing, rereading, and returning" as part of broader sustainability work and noted that the Climate Action Playbook now references the library’s role. "We believe in renewing, rereading, and returning," Dunkley said.

Jack Negley, who identified himself as the library’s new sustainability librarian, told trustees he plans to grow the library of things to promote self-reliance and reduce consumption. "We want them to borrow more, buy less, and interact with each other, have fun," Negley said. He described items and services aimed at skill building, from outdoor and home-improvement equipment to board games and children’s STEM kits.

Staff described recent and planned programs tied to sustainability and skills: a soldering workshop run with Maker Nexus, a repair cafe in January with 25 volunteer repairers that helped 20 people and completed about 230 repairs, tree walks with SUFA, and bird-watching field trips to the Don Edwards National Wildlife Refuge. Staff announced an Earth Day scavenger hunt planned for April 5 and said they expect more sustainability programming as the new sustainability librarian develops partnerships.

Library leaders also confirmed a $500,000 electrification grant from Silicon Valley Clean Energy (SVCE) to support upgrades at the Lakewood branch; staff said the grant is not federal funding. The grant will fund electrification work and supporting displays about energy use; staff said some technical details (for example, the exact solar configuration) were still being finalized.

Staff outlined library-of-things demand and constraints: the collection totaled about 213 items; the hotspot with the most holds had 36 holds; a popular board game (Ticket to Ride) had eight holds on a single copy; and the library has five sewing machines with a waitlist of more than 100 patrons. Negley said staff will use a short community survey and partner input to prioritize new items and outreach so purchases match local interest.

Trustees and staff discussed funding sources for additional items; staff said they have dedicated collection funds, are seeking grants and have asked the Friends of the Sunnyvale Library for support. Negley said staff will publish a QR-code survey for patrons to indicate demand for new items and to guide future acquisitions.