Local Library
Engage with Your Library for Education on Plastic Reduction
Discuss Program Options With Library Staff
Step 1. Discuss these options with your librarian.
Book List or Book Discussion Group: Many libraries have books on plastic pollution and waste reduction that can be used to create a display or a discussion group. Check out Dover Dems Book List.
Educational Displays: Help the library staff create a poster or table display on the impact of plastics with examples of alternatives. Example: Dover library displays are in the photo carousel in the next section.
Handouts: Provide handouts to accompany displays and presentations. Examples: Reduce Plastic Pollution & Save $$, Egg Carton Seed Starter (color), Egg Carton Seed Starter (black and white), T-Shirt Tote (color), T-Shirt Tote (black and white).
Presentations for Adults - Modify these PowerPoints for your audience: Dover Dems Plastic Reduction or Cornish Beyond the Bin.
Environmental Film Series - Resources available from CT River Conservancy and Plastic Change.
Help With a Children’s Program Stem Resources Related to Plastic Pollution. In addition, there are two videos embedded below about technologies that demonstrate some plastic pollution solutions.
Dover Library Displays, Activities Video Resources & Practical Tips
The library displays in Dover were on two floors, one targeted more toward children and one toward adults.
Displays of books for children and for adults that could be checked out were located under the bulletin board displays.
The display on plastic alternatives included an opportunity for parents to sign up for a (free) raffle in which the prizes were the displayed items (mesh bags, silicone storage bags, etc.)
The library purchased the raffle prizes.
The book Join The No Plastic Challenge: A First Book of Reducing Waste by Scot Ritchie was donated to the Children's Room at the library in gratitude for working on the month of plastic pollution ideas.
Video showing how the study of the manta ray led to developing a better filter system for fine plastic particles.
Video showing the Great Pacific Garbage Patch clean-up device.
Implement Selected Programs
Step 2. Contact Toolkit Leader Resource to learn which programs were the most successful
Solicit Feedback
Step 3. Request feedback from attendees and library staff to learn what worked and what to improve.
Ask whether there were any changes in personal plastic use after participating through an online survey.
Resources
Ten Towns • Ten Actions Leader Resource: Kristine Baber & Cynthia Walter
Dover Library Plastic Pollution - Here's What I Can Do Program
Dover Library Plastic Pollution - Here's What Families Can Do Program
Egg Carton Seed Starter (color), Egg Carton Seed Starter (black and white), T-Shirt Tote (color), T-Shirt Tote (black and white)