The Burlingame Public Library was one of 15 California Library systems to be awarded a Sustainable California Libraries grant in 2023. 

Like the rest of the world and California specifically, our community is feeling the effects of climate change - whiplashing from drought to flood, wildfires and all the accompanying disruptions. Through the Sustainable Living with BPL grant we will work in collaboration with local nonprofit groups and city agencies to help our community reach the goals in our city plan, Envision Burlingame. We will build a more resilient community through programming  and resources to help community members become more resilient and informed in the areas of gardening/water use, reuse/reduce/recycle, and electrification. 

This project is supported in whole or in part by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered in California by the State Librarian.

Upcoming Programs

On Library Porch

Planting a Garden with California Native Plants
Saturday, April 20 @ 10 am
Tech Lab & City Hall Garden

Sign up to reserve a spot! 
https://burlingame.libcal.com/event/12022835

We will start with a talk by a Master Gardener, Melissa Mason, followed by a hands-on demonstration at our garden plot that we sheet mulched in the fall at Burlingame City Hall. For more information, contact Jodi jirsa@plsinfo.org

Dining Gloriously From Your Small-Space Food Garden with Pam Peirce
Saturday, May 4 @ 1030 am-12pm
Lane Room


In this class you will learn how to make your dream of eating from a garden a reality. You will learn what to plant and when and learn some delicious recipes that use what you can grow year-round. After her talk Pam will sell and sign Golden Gate Gardening. We will also have seeds to give away at the event.

Pam Peirce is a San Francisco-based gardener, author, photographer, and lecturer. She is celebrating publication of the 30th Anniversary edition of her classic regional gardening book, Golden Gate Gardening. (It includes useful recipes.) Pam taught horticulture at City College of San Francisco for nearly 30 years and writes widely on gardening and food issues. Register for reminders!
https://burlingame.libcal.com/event/12087245

Planting after mulching: Step 3  (March 2024)
Maintain your garden: Step 4  (April 2024)
Rain barrel/Rain Garden How to: California native garden bonus   (February 2024)
Container gardening: California native garden bonus  (May 2024)

Past Programs

Sheet Mulching Workshop
First in the Series: Building a California Native Garden
Saturday, November 18 from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Find out how to replace a part or all of your lawn and take advantage of rebates!

UPDATE:

On November 18, the Burlingame Library hosted a sheet mulching workshop to teach residents how to remove a turf lawn without using pesticides, while also enriching the soil. This workshop consisted of a classroom lecture followed by a hands-on demonstration where participants sheet mulched part of the front lawn at Burlingame City Hall. This was the first workshop in the Building a California Native Garden workshop series, which includes the step-by-step process of converting a turf lawn into a beautiful native garden. 

Sit n Stitch Special: Make a Reusable Gift Bag
Tuesday, December 12 & 19 from 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM


Zero-Waste Soup with the Zero-Waste Chef
Saturday, January 13 at 2:00 PM


Repair Cafe: Fix What's Broken
Saturday January 20^th from 10am to 2:00pm

Planning a Garden with California Native Plants:  Building a California Native Garden Series
Saturday, January 27 at 11:00 AM


Unlocking the Magic of California Native Plants in your Garden!
Saturday, February 10 @ 11am



Mending Workshop with RethinkWaste
Saturday, February 24 from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm


Rainwater Harvesting Webinar
Tuesday, March 12 @ 7:00 PM

Farm to Fork with the Seasons on Induction Cooktops
Thursday, March 28 @  630 pm

Seed Library

The Burlingame Public Library wants to help you seed your garden and we have free packets of vegetable and flower seeds for our patrons.

Seeds must be requested in advance and you can place an order online or at the library. In order to provide seeds to the whole community, there is a maximum of 4 seed packets per order. Orders may be placed quarterly. Each seed packet should have a sufficient supply of seeds, so no duplicates please.

Order

Online: CLICK HERE to fill out the order form

Pick Up
Choose the pickup location on the request form. Your seeds will be ready for pickup within 3 to 5 days at the Main Library or Easton Branch Library (depending on which  location you chose).

For more information, please contact David Whitman at (650) - 558 -7417 or email whitman@plsinfo.org

Additional Resources:

The City of Burlingame's Sustainability page

San Mateo County Office of Sustainability