Much has been happening in the “greening libraries” space in the past few months so it’s time for a bit of a roundup of highlights.
IFLA ENSULIB – from SIG to Section
Early this year the IFLA ENSULIB SIG (Environment, Sustainability and Libraries) was officially recognised as a new IFLA section. Although only 40 applications were required, 56 organisations from around the world applied for membership of the section, demonstrating the global commitment for environmentally sustainable libraries. This provided the membership base required to support a full Standing Committee for the new Section. You can follow ENSULIB news and activities on Facebook or directly on the IFLA website. One particular highlight this year was the shortlisting of the Hobson’s Bay Library EnviroCentre for the 2021 Green Library Awards.
IFLA have also been building a Library Map of the World filled with SDG stories. Why not go exploring and perhaps even add your own library’s story. There are very few Australian stories there so far.
ALIA Greening Libraries Project
This project, (commissioned by ALIA, and sponsored by CAUL) is being conducted by a team from CSU made up of Dr Jane Garner, Dr Kasey Garrison, Dr Sabine Wardle and Associate Professor Karen Bell. They are looking at environmental sustainability projects in libraries across Australia. Research outputs will include a report including case studies drawn from across all libraries sectors, as well as the development of a toolkit to enable libraries to engage more closely with green projects and activities. You can check out the initial Literature review and the project outline on the ALIA Greening Libraries page (No login required). We’re very much looking forward to hearing more about progress on the research in the Libraries and Sustainability Seminar (see below), and reading the final report later in the year.
Both the UN Sustainable Development Goals and Greening Libraries project are now linked on the ALIA Advocacy page
Upcoming events
Libraries and Sustainability seminar – November 18th.
This free online seminar hosted by the State Library of Victoria, as part of Libraries by Design 2021 is gearing up to be an awesome event and you can book through Eventbrite.
Keynote Speaker Rebekkah Smith Aldrich and co-keynote presenter Matthew Bollerman will take us through the Sustainable Library Initiative in the US. There will be an update on the ALIA Greening Libraries Project, and ALIA’s work with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The Public Libraries Victoria, Environment Sustainability SIG will then present on the “Shared Leadership Programme” for building capacity and supporting sustainability initiatives in local communities in Victoria.
December #AusLibChat will be on sustainability and libraries. A wonderful opportunity to join other like minded library people and chat about what your library has been doing, what you would like to do, or just sit back and take in the awesome sustainability vibe.
We’d love to see as many people participate as possible. You don’t need to be an ALIA member to participate, but of course if you are a member, you can even add your participation to your ALIA PD.
#AusLibChat is usually held 9pm AEDT on the first Tuesday of the month via Twitter.
Put your actions into words
Are you passionate about libraries and sustainability? Do you have library projects, programmes or experiences you like to share? We’re looking for a few more people who’d like to contribute to this blog and other social media streams in 2022.
Please drop us a line or two, if you’d like to know more.
By Katalin Mindum, ALIA Sustainable Libraries Group Member
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