ALIA GREEN Q&A – Former Convenor of ALIA Green, Katalin Mindum
This interview was orchestrated by ALIA Green Secretary, Jack Kelly, who, along with incoming convenor Lauren Markwell, expresses deep gratitude to Katalin for generously sharing her insights and experiences in this Q&A. Katalin was a member of this ALIA Group for over 10 years.
What is your background and current role?
Most recently, I have had the privilege of serving as the Branch Manager of Moorabbin Library at Holmesglen Institute in Victoria. Throughout my 40-year career in the education sector, I’ve been fortunate to work with many individuals in various capacities, including a meaningful three-year experience at the Vision Australia Library. This role allowed me to connect with and support individuals with print disabilities, a cause I am truly passionate about.
As I reflect on my professional journey, I recognise the diverse roles I’ve undertaken, from casual positions at lending desks to more established positions as a liaison and subject librarian for Geography, Environmental Science, and Sustainability. I am especially thankful to the person who believed in my potential and gave me my first opportunity as a loans desk casual while I was studying librarianship. Their support made a significant impact on my life. I also have a background in comparative literature, which has enriched my passion for reading and helping others.
Why did you join ALIA Green?
I joined ALIA Sustainability Libraries (now ALIA Green) in mid-2013, stepping up to lead the group during a period of transition. The group was founded in 2010 by passionate library professionals at the ALIA Access conference in Brisbane.
Motivated by my commitment to environmental sustainability, I recognised the importance of this group in guiding libraries towards better practices. After several calls for a new convenor, I realised that the group’s future depended on me stepping up to the challenge as convenor.
During your time as convenor, what challenges or achievements have you encountered?
I believe ALIA Sustainable Libraries (now ALIA Green) has faced challenges due to its limited active membership. With greater participation, our group could have thrived even more.
A memorable highlight was in 2015 when I represented the group at the Brisbane Catholic Teacher Librarian Conference. As the only active member able to attend, I collaborated remotely with two other members to deliver a presentation. The session was well-received, and it was rewarding to see many enthusiastic “lightbulb” moments, highlighting that some sustainable practices I assumed were common knowledge and were not widely recognised.
Maintaining a consistent social media presence has been challenging yet rewarding. I take pride in the WordPress blog, established by Anne Reddacliff in early 2020 when she joined me as co-convenor. This platform has allowed us to reach a wider audience and increase engagement.
I have proudly contributed to Incite on leading sustainability in libraries and co-authored on accessibility and inclusion.
I have no regrets about my time as convenor, confident that the group has provided essential support and guidance to our colleagues as they embrace sustainable practices.
What role can librarians and libraries play in environmental sustainability?
Libraries are the ultimate recyclers, embodying sustainability through borrowing and reusing materials. However, our role is multifaceted, and I’d like to emphasise three key points:
- Library Staff Commitment: Library staff must actively pursue sustainable changes in their personal and professional lives, becoming champions of positive action.
- Knowledge Sharing and Leading by Example: We need to practice and share best practices within our libraries. Public libraries excel at community outreach, while academic and hospital libraries must find effective ways to engage and raise awareness among their communities.
- Organisation-Wide Responsibility: Libraries are part of larger institutions, and we must advocate for and participate in environmental initiatives. We are well-positioned to help parent institutions and individuals make informed environmental decisions.
To drive sustainability, consider these actions:
– Ensure environmentally responsible disposal when weeding collections.
– Confirm that DVDs and CDs are recycled properly.
– Purchase FSC-certified paper.
– Source furniture responsibly with recyclable materials.
– Use environmentally friendly cleaning products.
– Evaluate how we package Interlibrary Loans.
– Assess the longevity of past sustainability initiatives.
– Revisit past awards and aim to maintain or improve those standards.
By prioritising these responsibilities, we can lead by example and make a lasting impact on sustainability.
How has environmental sustainability changed within the sector over the past 10 years?
Over the past decade, climate change awareness and action have surged in Australia, particularly within public libraries. While literature on the topic may be limited, libraries are actively expanding their resources and implementing innovative outreach programs, such as seed libraries, community gardens, and environmental education workshops. Many have earned design awards for their environmentally sustainable buildings and renovations.
The IFLA Environment, Sustainability and Libraries Section (ENSULIB) has evolved from a small Special Interest Group in 2009 to a robust IFLA Section with 20 committed members, reflecting a broader shift in environmental sustainability. The introduction of the IFLA Green Library Awards has encouraged libraries to share successful projects and inspire one another.
ALIA’s commitment to greening libraries has strengthened, marked by the ALIA Greening Libraries Report and the Sustainable Development Goals: Stretch targets for Public Libraries, which track their progress. ALIA is dedicated to achieving carbon neutrality by 2030, leading the way for libraries in Australia and beyond.
What about the next 10 years?
In the next decade, libraries that haven’t prioritised reducing their environmental impact will be obligated to adopt sustainable practices. Stricter regulations, increased reporting requirements, and pressure from clients and organisations will drive this change. With better guidelines and role models available, I believe that environmental sustainability will become normalised for both individuals and institutions.
What is the future of ALIA Green?
ALIA Green is set to grow and expand its influence significantly. I’m eager to see it evolve into a vibrant group supported by a passionate committee and a strong community. Libraries in Australia are now taking sustainability seriously, making this the perfect time for ALIA Green to lead meaningful change.
Are you a member of any other ALIA groups?
I proudly joined ALIA Disability and ALIA Multicultural at their inception in 2021 and 2022, motivated by their strong potential for advocacy and action. Creating inclusive and accessible library spaces has always been a priority for me. I have actively promoted alt text, closed captions, and broader accessibility measures across all platforms. My time at Vision Australia has been decisive in my career, and I hope for a future where universal accessibility is the norm. I also want to see ALIA Disability’s membership expand to include all sectors, as providing excellent, inclusive library services is a collective responsibility.
Additionally, I wholeheartedly support the work of ALIA Multicultural, advocating for greater cultural inclusivity for culturally and linguistically diverse staff and community members. Participating in the development of Trove lists of Australian books translated into various languages has been particularly rewarding—it’s incredible to see the range of translations available. These resources are invaluable not just for public libraries but for all readers.
Lastly, how has volunteering with Trove enriched you?
As a Voluntrove, I’ve corrected newspaper articles and crafted garments from vintage patterns, including a child’s dress from an 1888 Tunisian crochet pattern.
Recently, after commenting on a Trove Facebook post, I was interviewed for a Trove blog article about vintage patterns. My words appeared in the July/August 2024 issue of Frankie Magazine, and the dress I created was featured in the NLA’s Vintage Crochet book, marking it as the oldest pattern in the collection.
