This year I’d like to think of Library Lover’s Day as an opportunity celebrate some of the amazing work that libraries are doing toward ensuring a sustainable future.
Sustainability kits and induction hobs. With rising cost of living and the growing awareness of the need to find ways to reduce water and power consumption and bills, communities are increasingly turning to libraries to provide the information and the tools needed for making informed decisions. This has seen the emergence of energy and water saving kits such as the ones available from Victoria’s Goldfields Libraries.These curated sets of information and testing tools, help communities learn how to achieve savings without having to buy equipment that they will only need for a very short time. The move away from gas to electric cooking, has also led to portable induction hubs (cooktops) being made available for loan at some libraries. Being able to try out induction cooking before committing to buying an expensive induction cooktop and perhaps needing new cookware, is a great way for libraries to help break down community fears about such a dramatic change as “coming off gas”.
A quick Google search for library sustainability kit .au or library energy water audit kit.au or even library induction cooking .au very quickly reveals a multitude of different types of kits available from libraries across Australia. Many of these libraries also host information sessions, workshops, and even hold induction cooking classes, run by staff or external presenters and experts. Demonstrating, lending equipment and recommending books, all work together to help guide communities towards a better understanding of sustainable living. Informing, enabling and empowering them feel that they are able to contribute towards a more sustainable future. It’s a very positive sign, that demand has increased so much in the last couple of years, that many libraries have waiting lists for these items.
Libraries of things. Many libraries also offer a range of other “things” to help reduce waste and ease cost of living expenses, by providing access to things which may be costly and might only be used for a short while. Collections of “things” include everything from board games, birdwatching kits, cooking appliances and other household items, mental care kits, puzzles, puppets, seeds, sports equipment, tools, virtual reality equipment … the list is almost endless. Who’d have thought that there would be custom built multi-sized storage lockers in libraries for anything from binoculars to Karsher pressure washers. Then there are the other Libraries of Things, outside of our public library networks, a movement that has grown so much in recent years, that there is now an Australian Library of Things Network.
Makerspaces, creative spaces, and repair cafes. Another very popular facility provided by many libraries has been the establishment of spaces and resources for crafting, making, repairing, and upcycling, allowing their communities to actively work at reducing their waste, and the need to buy new things. These spaces also allow people to explore new creative and other technologies, and to learn new skills, whether through organised programs or through individual sharing of expertise. There are so many examples of programmes. The Kingsborough Repair Cafe in Tasmania’s Kingston Libraries shared their experience, showing us just a little of what they do, and how positive the experience can be for both staff and the community. Can you imagine the thrill of getting a library card, and discovering that you can also use a 3D printer, Cricut, sewing machine or woodworking tools, as well as have spaces to use them in?
Inspiring positive futures. If you still need convincing, the following two webinar/podcast series provide an opportunity to explore some inspiring insights into other emerging trends, hidden gems in climate change action and other projects and developments in libraries and elsewhere.
- IFLA ENSULIB webinar series includes topics related to a whide range of sustainable libraries and library projects, including project around the UN Sustainable Development Goals, Inner Development Goals, emerging trends, community developments and so much more.
- 100 climate conversations (March 2022 – February 2024) Presented by Powerhouse is an inspiring, and empowering collection of conversations with Australian innovators who present their research, projects and active responses to climate change. Our future looks more hopeful than we might think.
So this Library Lover’s Day let’s celebrate our libraries as leaders in providing collections, tools and programs and experts, to support the push for a more sustainable future. Having the power to help others take climate action, while also helping to ease eco-anxiety and financial stress is a wonderful power to have.
0 Comments