In November of last year, governments made new commitments to reducing emissions in order to limit climate change.
While many have suggested that not enough was promised, it will be worse still if even this is not delivered.
Crucially, mitigating and adapting to climate change requires work at all levels.
It is about changing practices and behaviours, not just policies.
Amongst our New Year’s Resolutions, it is therefore important to think about how we can be more sustainable, and use the place of libraries within communities to do the same!
So for our 79th 10-Minute International Librarian exercise, think about how to green your library.
You could think about any or all of your buildings, your operations, your collections and your programming.
Are there renovations that could make a difference? Could you use less energy? Could you share more works explaining the issues around climate change and greener living? Could you work with other organisations to promote sustainability literacy?
All have the potential to have either a direct impact on reducing emissions, to inspire others in your community to do the same, or both!
You could take a look at the Green Library Checklist, prepared by what is now the Environment, Sustainability and Libraries Section.
Or you could seek ideas from the work of other libraries, as set out for example in our blog, or in our article summarising papers submitted to our World Library and Information Congress.
Let us know what ideas you have in the comments box below.
Good luck!
This idea relates to the IFLA Strategy! Key Initiative 2.3: Develop standards, guidelines, and other materials that foster best professional practice
As we publish more ideas, you will be able to view these using the #10MinuteInternationalLibrarian tag on this blog, and of course on IFLA’s Ideas Store! Do also share your ideas in the com