Sustainability – it’s everyone’s job

Abstract

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The Performance of Public Libraries in Negros Occidental, Philippines

“…Salman, Mostert, and Mugwisi (2018) also stated that impediments to good library management were the lack of funding, lack of engagement of stakeholders in public library administration, and unsuitable public library legislation. Moreover, Diaz (2017) and Spodick (2016) believed that it is necessary for the administrators to position sustainable planning and design throughout various library processes, for greening does not indulge much money. It lies in the ingenuity and resourcefulness of people who implement the said practices.…”

Libraries as Sustainability Leaders: ALA's Special Task Force

“…Large-scale efforts involved building design and resource conservation, while smaller projects included installing a hot water dispenser, recycling worn carpeting, and empowering the staff to take ownership of sustainability priorities and solutions. 26 The Chinese University of Hong Kong Library committed to leadership in environmental responsibility as a way to provide a beacon of hope in a city that is highly vulnerable to the consequences of climate change. Some of its efforts included the reduction of energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, as well as a campaign for behavior modification.…”

Library directors’ concerns and attitudes towards going green and sustainability in China: An unexplored area

“…Similarly, some researchers have studied the environmental costs of library buildings (for details see Brodie, 2012; Carr, 2013; Edwards, 2011; Flannery and Smith, 2013; Hauke and Werner, 2012; Jankowska, 2014; Kang et al, 2017; Linden et al, 2012; Qutab et al, 2016; Spodick, 2016; Wang and Xu, 2017; Xu, 2017). Evolving ICTs, volume of digital content, growing digital information needs/usage of users, and growing operational energy costs of libraries (operations, buildings, collections, equipment) create a significant amount of greenhouse gas.…”

“…Environmentally sustainable library and information services have not been discussed or researched widely in the mainstream scientific literature (Chowdhury, 2012a, 2012b, 2012c, 2013, 2014a, 2014b, 2016; Jankowska and Marcum, 2010; Nolin, 2010; Spink, 1995, 1999). The library and information science community has also recognized environmental sustainability and green issues as important (Balog and Siber, 2016; Fourie, 2012; Hauke, 2015; Hauke, et al, 2013; Spodick, 2016). For example, the Environment, Sustainability and Libraries Special Interest Group (ENSULIB) of IFLA (2017) and the ALA’s Task Force on the Environment (TFOE) (ALA, n.d.) aimed at making libraries and the public aware of diverse environmental information sources, addressed and sought out solutions to green concerns and practices in libraries, and promoted awareness of environmental issues in the library community for fostering green library initiatives.…”

“…In this context, the concept of the green library has received a significant amount of attention over the past two decades. Sustainable and green libraries consist of activities connected with building green library buildings, helping the existing library facilities become greener, providing green library services, and embracing environmentally supportive and sustainable practices within the library as well as a more holistic approach to sustainability dedicated to balancing environmental, social and economic stewardship (Antonelli, 2008; Aulisio, 2013; Fourie, 2012; Hauke, 2015; Jones and Wong, 2016; Meyer, 2008; Spodick, 2016). The amount of information available on green libraries and green library practices is limited but continues to grow.…”