📘Giving “The Problem with Plastic” to Legislators & Librarians in VT🏛️
With a mission to end plastic pollution everywhere, everyone is needed— their creativity, passion, empathy and desire for change. This is why the cornerstone of our approach at Beyond Plastics is in educating to activate individuals, communities, legislators and media. We build on that education by helping individuals cultivate their leadership skills to reach as many people as possible with not only the problem, but the solutions at hand.
“The Problem with Plastic” book is a vehicle for our not-so-secret sauce of growing a grassroots movement.
Michael Rancourt, a supporter and former faculty member at Bennington College, spent some time answering our questions about why and how he, quite literally, spread the word. 📖
What interests you most about the work of Beyond Plastics?
The urgency of the plastics problem probably interests me most. Very much like Rachel Carson's "Silent Spring," "The Problem with Plastics" is a wake-up call to the world about all the as yet unknown effects of inundating our environment, our bodies, and even the bodies of the unborn with microplastics and the chemicals that they carry with them.
How did you come up with the excellent idea of purchasing “The Problem with Plastics” for local legislators and libraries?
I found the book in my local library in Bennington, The Bennington Free Library, in the New Books shelves, and had the original idea after reading the book, then buying my own, that many people of all persuasions would value this book, and therefore, every library in Vermont should have a copy. When I told a friend about my idea, he quickly rained on my parade by saying "Nobody reads books anymore," but I do enough volunteering at the BFL that I know that's not true. Another friend applauded the idea but added that "It's the legislators that should read this book," and I agreed and added that group to the list.
Can you share a bit about the logistics of getting books into the hands of legislators?
I'm glad to say I'm friends with a recent Town Representative and asked his advice on how to get copies of the book into the hands of the right people up at Montpelier. He immediately answered "Get them to the office staff for The Speaker of the House, Jill Krowinski. She's great, and they'll know who should get them". And it was as easy as that. The Security Staff at the entrance to the State house appropriately had to thoroughly inspect me and the 30 books I'd brought, then I was free to go to the office and explain to the first House Speaker staffer I found that it was my wish to have these books given "to the most appropriate people". He replied "The first place I'll go is to the Environmental Group, I know they'll want copies, and I know I want one, and Jill should have one. I'm sure they'll be a hot item".
I delivered the books on a Thursday afternoon and on Monday got a text from the staffer I'd given the books to saying that all the books were disbursed and well appreciated. I'm sorry but I didn't keep his name! My name is not on the books, so no one has reached out to me after reading them.
Well done! Same question for libraries— how did you get the books in the hands of librarians?
I owe the speed and ease of delivery of the library books to my Town Librarian at The Solomon Wright Public Library here in Pownal, Emily Gold. Emily was quick to appreciate that the Inter-Library Loan Courier Service was the way to quickly, easily, and accurately distribute the books. She sent out an email to all of the Vermont libraries on her list-serve, detailing my donation and offering a free book to any library that wanted one. She heard back from more than 50 libraries out of 187. Not bad considering that both my local libraries had already purchased the books, so I assume that a lot of the libraries that didn't request the book already had a copy.
After receiving the books, I dropped them at Solomon Wright Public Library and a volunteer inserted a note about my donation before addressing each one. Couldn't have been easier. Emily was thrilled to be a part of this process. Another librarian friend has many times congratulated me on the gift, and shared that it has reinforced how much libraries and librarians are appreciated.
People can support Beyond Plastics in all different ways. Why was this the right way to give for you?
This was a perfect way for me to give to Beyond Plastics. I love my state and the people in it, and this book will help to educate everyone who is interested in leaving a better world to our descendents. Hopefully, this is what being a benevolent ancestor is.
Your donation ensures that our team gets as many books into as many hands as possible. Help us spread the word and grow the movement!