Going green: sustainable services for all

This week is Green Libraries Week: a chance to focus on sustainability in library and information management settings. It is a great opportunity to start shouting about the work that library services are already doing, what you have planned and to find out what others are doing. Rob Green looks at what is going on, and takes a look at November’s Green Libraries Conference.

Going green comes with many benefits – not only in terms of the long-term sustainability of the planet, but also in the goodwill it can generate, the savings it can achieve, and the innovation that can follow.

Find your inspiration

However it can be daunting, and many people are put off because they don’t know where to start. The same is often true of organisations, including libraries, but there really is nothing stopping you making a start – and Green Libraries Week is here to inspire you.

The fact of the matter is that many of us who are reluctant or unsure have probably already taken plenty of steps along the green road – perhaps without knowing it. Simple things like replacing lightbulbs with energy saving ones, putting recycling bins in public areas and turning lights off at night are all part of the solution.

And there are many more who are already marching down the road with confidence – Green Libraries Week and November’s Green Libraries Conference are events to inspire you and learn from other organisations. If you are looking for inspiration or ideas, you can check out some of the green projects and initiatives that have already been added to the Green Libraries Week online map. And don’t forget you can add your own library’s Green Libraries Week highlight, at https://librariesweek.org.uk/whats-on .

Get involved

Taking place from 7 to 13 October Green Libraries week provides a platform for services to demonstrate to their users how they are supporting sustainability. Services are encouraged to hold events and invite the public and key decision makers to find out more about their projects.

As with last year’s inaugural Green Libraries Week, there are a wealth of resources and ideas to help services find a way to get involved and showcase all their sustainability work. In 2023 Libraries Week saw services from Jersey to John O’Groats hosting more than 290 environmental and sustainability activities. Library services from across sectors got involved, and organisers are hoping to see even more getting involved this year.

Supporting users

Part of the success of last year’s event came through the number of public events that were held throughout the week, but there was also a number of services that used Libraries Week to highlight ongoing support for their users efforts to become more sustainable.

Of course, libraries have always been about sustainability through book lending. But for many users, it is the role of trusted information providers where libraries and information services can be of greatest value. Library resources provide access to evidence to help advocate for a greener world as well as practical advice and information on how to achieve that through actions.

Dive deeper at Green Libraries Conference

CILIP’s Green Libraries Conference will take place in November, building on the activities from this year’s Green Libraries Week. The conference is an opportunity to hear from experts in sustainability, as well as from library teams who have put in place successful strategies – offering practical insights into getting green projects off the ground and making sure they deliver.

Conference organiser Hinna Vayani says: “Our conference will explore how libraries can lead the way in environmental sustainability. Together libraries form a worldwide network that can provide access to information, resources and educational opportunities, and that can empower individuals and communities to make informed decisions and take action towards a more sustainable future.”

This year’s conference theme mirrors Libraries Week’s Every library is a green library, highlighting the unique space that libraries hold in society – from high streets and schools, to hospitals and universities and many other places besides. Library and information services are part of millions of people’s lives and can “reach everyone to promote environmental awareness and sustainable practices, and make practical difference to the climate resilience of different communities.”

Programme

The programme has been developed by the Green Libraries Partnership and the conference is sponsored by Nielsen Book Data and our Eco-champion sponsor for the campaign, OverDrive. It will feature a mix of keynote features.

The second CILIP Green Libraries Conference provides a unique and important chance for you to connect with library staff at all levels to share ideas and insights on environmental understanding and action. There will be opportunities to reflect on our role both locally and as a worldwide community of professionals, and to share practical advice and lessons learned in green practices across the sector and further afield. At the 2024 Conference, presentations will include the following topic areas:

• Collaborating to make a difference;
• Contributing to Sustainable Development Goals;
• Sustainable Collections and Climate Literacy;
• Showcasing Sustainable Practice.

The Green Libraries Network

Green Libraries Week and the Green Libraries Conference are part of the wider work being delivered by CILIP and partners to ensure that library and information services are central to the green movement. The partnership consists of Arts Council England, the British Library, Libraries Connected, Julie’s Bicycle, SCONUL, the Sustainability in NHS and Library Services Community of Practice, RLUK, CONUL and The National Library of Scotland, and was created to “encourage libraries to actively reduce their carbon footprint and increase awareness of environmental issues for the wider public by providing accessible resources.

Alongside its role in delivering events, the partnership has also been a key driver in delivering a Green Libraries Network, and in creating the Green Libraries Manifesto. Both initiatives are designed to be cornerstones of green action, helping to set libraries on a course to being sustainability champions for their users and communities.

Signing the Green Libraries Manifesto is simple first step and there are lots more resources to help inspire you and your service here .

Register now for this year’s Green Libraries Conference .