On Display at the Main Library Second Floor
Elgin Mayor David Kaptain, Jennifer Hammer of the Conservation Foundation, Val Devine from Joliet Public Library, Stephanie Driscoll from Schaumburg Township District Library , Ali Lanthrum from Aurora Public Library and Gail Borden Library representatives worked together to create a traveling exhibit with the message that "more salt isn't better" for our environment.
The "Smart Salt and You" traveling exhibit is now on the second floor of the Gail Borden Main Library at 270 N. Grove, Elgin Illinois. Spearheaded by Elgin Mayor David Kaptain, the message of the exhibit relative to salt usage is simple - more isn't always better.
Smart Salt and You is intended to bring awareness about how little salt is needed to be effective to promote safety on icy surfaces. Salt negatively impacts groundwater, rivers, pets and plants. The Northwest Water Planning Alliance Sensible Salting Committee and the Conservation Foundation along with Aurora, Schaumburg, Joliet and Gail Borden library staff members were part of this effort.
"The water quality matters everywhere. With our water supply coming from the Fox River, water health is especially important here," said Elgin Mayor David Kaptain. He explained that locally there is a compelling example of salt impact as hockey and ice skating were activities at Lords Park pond in years past. The pond no longer freezes due to salt runoff.
Jennifer Hammer, the Director of Watershed Programs at the Conservation Foundation said, "We can be safe and protect the health of our local waters when we are Salt Smart. Shovel first and only salt where needed to be safe."
Smart Salt and You will be at Gail Borden Library until mid-February. It will then travel to the Schaumburg Township District Library and then it will travel to the Aurora Public Library in mid-March. In November 2023, Smart Salt and You will be at the Joliet Public Library.
The Elgin Courier news article is here
Flickr photos
https://www.flickr.com/photos/gailborden/sets/72177720305667287/
If other libraries would like to schedule in the exhibit, please contact https://saltsmart.org/.