Arlington Public Library is the Urban Libraries Council’s 2012 Top Innovator for Sustainability.
The prestigious honor–awarded among ten categories for which there were nearly 200 nominations–salutes the Library’s earth-friendly approach of “Bikes, Buildings, and Broccoli.”
ULC President & CEO Susan Benton, left, discussed the Top Innovator award with the Arlington County Board at its July 24 meeting. Library Director Diane Kresh holds the honor alongside Board Chairwoman Mary Hynes and County Manager Barbara Donnellan, right.
The ULC judges hailed Arlington Public Library for expanding “the library’s role in promoting, informing, and modeling the county government’s commitment to environmental sustainability including nurturing a bike-friendly community, reducing energy consumption in library buildings, and becoming a community gardening leader.”
The ULC serves as a forum for sharing best and next practices culled from targeted research, education, and emerging trends. Its programs are recognized for creating new frameworks that invigorate public libraries and their communities.
The award was presented June 22 to Library Central Services Chief Margaret Brown and Branch Services Chief Susan McCarthy at the ULC Annual Forum in Newport Beach, Calif.
Just last month, the Library was named 2012 Community Partner of the Year by Arlington Food Assistance Center for the thriving community vegetable garden at Central Library. The garden was created during Arlington Reads 2010, which engaged thousands of Arlington and area residents with a focus 
on locally grown food and sustainability. Food from the garden is distributed by AFAC.[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2DgSl4hbU0&feature=player_embedded[/youtube]
This spring Arlington Public Library was also nominated for the 2012 Arlington Green Patriot Award, presented by George Mason University.
Congratulations. Arlington Public Library is a great example of why people want to live in this area.