Skip to content

Super Menu

  • My Account
  • Contact

Primary Menu

  • Books & More
    • Curbside Pickup
    • Search Catalog
    • Get a Library Card
    • Borrowing Info & FAQs
    • Request an Item
    • Book Donations
    • What to Read Next
  • eLibrary
    • eBooks, eAudiobooks & eMagazines
    • Stream Movies
    • Research & Learn
  • Kids
    • Storytimes
    • Kid’s Area
    • eResources for Kids
    • Kid’s Catalog
  • Events
  • Rooms
    • Study Rooms
    • Room Rentals
    • Rental Rates
    • Jim Santy Auditorium
  • Services
    • Sustainability Resource Center
    • Technology, WiFi & Mobile Printing
    • YouCreate Lab
    • Proctoring
    • Art Exhibits
    • Leadership Podcast
    • Local Author Event
  • About
    • Visit the Library
    • Guiding Principles
    • Library Board
    • Friends of the Library
    • Donate to the Mural Wall
    • Employment & Volunteer Positions
    • Policies
    • Blog
  • Español

Sustainability Resource Center

 

Inspiring awareness and action for a sustainable community through information, resources, and tools.

What is the Center?

Our Sustainability Resource Center is located on the 1st floor of the Library.  You can find materials that speak specifically to climate change and sustainable living, a seed and tool library, interactive displays, and local nonprofit information dedicated to environmental and sustainability resources.

Once the home of one of the world’s richest silver mines, Park City is tackling climate change and environmental degradation with world-class ambition by having one of North America’s most ambitious climate goals: to be running on 100% renewable electricity and net-zero carbon as an entire community by 2030.

The Sustainability Resource Center has been made possible with help from the Friends of the Park City Library, funding from the Community Library Enhancement, and Eats PC. The Friends of the Library help fund many of the Library's rich offerings. For information about becoming a member visit: https://parkcitylibrary.org/friends-of-the-library/

Sustainability Resource Center Features

  • Book Collection: Items for all ages. Focuses on sustainability, climate change and activism.
  • Living Wall: The plants growing on the living wall help clean the air we breath in the Library. These plants are specifically selected to purify the air.
  • Eco Bike: Go for a ride that generates electricity which is returned back into the grid. 
  • Community Information Center: Find out about local resources and nonprofits.
  • Tower Garden: Provided in partnership with Eats Park City, the tower garden is growing fresh veggies for the guinea pig friends in the children’s area of the Library.
  • Seed Library, Tool Library, and Energy Detective Kits (and other equipment): Help you achieve a healthier home and community.
  • For more events, view our calendar.

Green Reads

The Park City Library encourages those interested in learning more about sustainability and environmental awareness at home and in our community to explore more with Green Reads. Every season (summer, fall, winter, spring), the library selects a book to read and discuss those topics together.

Green Reads Eager by Ben Goldfarg

Spring Selection

Discussion: April 22, 3:30 pm Green Reads - Park City Library

Join our Green Reads Book Club to discuss key concepts around the book Eager: The Surprising, Secret Life of Beavers and Why They Matter by Ben Goldfarb.

Participants will be able to take home a free Sustainability Bag to help jump start sustainability in their everyday life with renewable and eco-friendly items.

Hosted by Park City Mountain and Swaner Nature Preserve.

I am curious but don’t have time to read a book….
Article: https://www.biographic.com/they-will-build-it/

I am really intrigued and want to read and learn more….
Book: Eager: The Surprising, Secret Life of Beavers and Why They Matter by Ben Goldfarb.

I only have 30 minutes and prefer to listen….
Podcast: https://podcast.naturesarchive.com/2021/12/06/beavers/

Past Green Read Selections:
  • Future Fossils by David Farrier
  • All We Can Save edited by Ayana Elizabeth Johnson and Katharine K. Wilkinson
  • Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kemmerer (Sponsored by Summit Lands Conservancy)

Seed Library

What is a seed library?

A seed library is a collection of seeds you can borrow to plant and grow- and when they seed, return some to the Library!
Our seed collection depends on donations and seasonality. You'll see different seeds available at different times, so check in frequently to see what's available.

How do I "check out" seeds?

You don't need a library card. Anyone can come to the library and look through the seed library and select up to 6 seed packets per person per visit.  

Once you have selected your packets, please fill out a form and place it in the information box.  This helps us monitor the use and hear your suggestions!

How do I return my seeds?

There's no obligation to return seeds, but we highly encourage you to participate which will help the seed library grow each season.  Bring your seeds to the Library in an envelope with the following information:
-Plant name
-Variety
-Year harvested
-Your name and phone number

Why is a seed library important?

Seed libraries are popping up all over the country.  They allow local gardeners to cultivate knowledge and create a culture around healthy food security within the community. The Park City Library is helping our community grow healthy and delicious food. 

Shared Economy

Unique Items

Unique Items to Borrow

A shared economy expands on the original concept of how libraries have been sharing books for many years. We have items that can be borrowed, used and returned for another community member to use. These items can range from technology items in our YouCreate lab to tools that can help you plant your garden when using our seed library!

  • Gardening tools
  • Outdoor gear and games
  • Technology, filming, podcasts, hotspots and much more
  • Home energy and environmental quality equipment
  • Waste Audit Kit - available for check out to survey your home or facility’s waste stream, include food, trash and recycling waste.
View Unique Items

Book Collection

Librarians have compiled a special collection of books to help you learn more about sustainability, renewable resources, and much more. Books range from children to adult.

View collection

Librarian Picks

We are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom cover
Hike by Pete Oswald cover
NOLS Soft Paths by Bruce Hampton cover
What Would the Buddha Recycle? cover
Earth-Saving Acts for Eco-Warriors cover
The Book of Hope by Jane Goodall cover
Minimal by Laurie Barrette cover
The Ultimate Self-Sufficiency Manual by Tim MacWelch cover
Sea Bear by Lindsay Moore cover
Hot Stocks by James Ellman cover
Wilderness Ethics by Laura Waterman cover
Tomorrow’s Economy by Per Espen Stoknes cover
Climate Change and How We’ll Fix It by Alice Harman cover
The Incredible Yet True Adventures of Alexander Von Humboldt by Volker Mehnert cover
Bajo Tus Pies by Jacqueline Stroud cover
A Complete Guide to Straw Bale Building by Rikki Nitzkin cover

Additional Resources

American Library Association Sustainability Roundtable

Central Wasatch Commission-Environmental Dashboard

EATS Park City

Ecological Footprint Calculator

Environmental Protection Agency​​​​​​​ 

Environmental Working Group

NASA Eyes-Vital Signs

Park City's Carbon Footprint

Park City Sustainability Department

Purple Air Quality-Real Time Map

 

 

Recycle Utah

Summit Land Conservancy

Summit Community Gardens

Summit County Sustainability Department

Swaner Preserve and EcoCenter

United Nations 17 Goals

USA Climate Facts

Utah 100 Communities

Utah Climate Action Network

 

1255 Park Avenue PO Box 668 Park City, Utah 84060 (435) 615-5600

Visit the Library

  • Contact
  • Hours
  • Directions
  • Storytimes
  • YouCreate Lab

Find a Book

  • Book Recommendations
  • New Releases
  • eBooks & eAudiobooks
  • Book Lists
  • Staff Picks

Library Services

  • Curbside Pickup
  • Mobile Printing
  • Read Our Blog
  • Meeting & Conference Rooms
  • Art Exhibits

© 2023 Park City Library. All rights reserved. Privacy site by