RLUK is delighted to have joined the Green Libraries Campaign to support the campaign’s growth and evolution for new green initiatives and activities in 2024 and beyond and ensuring increased collaboration both cross-sector, and across the UK, alongside CONUL (The Consortium of National and University Libraries) and the National Library of Scotland.
The Green Libraries Campaign is a UK-wide, cross-sector programme focused on the contribution of librarians, information and knowledge professionals to the sustainability agenda and increase awareness of environmental issues for the wider public by providing accessible resources and events. Green Libraries Week runs from 7 to 13 October 2024 and will be followed by the second Green Libraries Conference which takes place at the British Library’s Knowledge Centre on 25 November 2024.
Yvonne Morris, CILIP Projects and Programmes Manager said:
‘The ambition of the Green Libraries Campaign is to see all libraries contribute to a sustainable and greener future for all. This means deepening our collaborative efforts to empower all to share knowledge, resources and best practice.
We are looking forward to working alongside new partners, and our existing partners, Arts Council England, the British Library, Julie’s Bicycle, SCONUL, Libraries Connected and NHS Knowledge and Library Services Community of Practice to continue developing the Green Libraries Campaign. Together, we can contribute to a more sustainable future for people and planet.’
David Prosser, Executive Director of Research Libraries UK (RLUK) said:
‘We are excited to work with the Green Libraries partners to further bring issues around sustainability to the research library community. Our members have significant physical and digital estates, both of which offer challenges in moving towards net zero targets. From large library buildings at the heart of university campuses to extensive digital holdings we seek to meet the information needs of users in a sustainable and responsible manner.’
Coral Black from The Consortium of National and University Libraries (CONUL) said:
‘I am honoured and excited to join the CILIP Green Libraries Partnership, representing CONUL, as we unite our efforts to champion sustainability and foster environmentally conscious practices within our libraries. CONUL library members understand the importance of sustainability and are keen to contribute to the partnership, learn from other sectors and continue to develop best practice. The 2023 CONUL Annual Conference highlighted the great work and innovation taking place across Irish libraries under the conference theme of ‘sense and sustainability: environmental, economic and social sustainability in libraries’. Together, we can create a greener future, inspiring communities and leading by example.’
Laragh Quinney from the National Library of Scotland said:
‘I am very excited to join the Green Libraries Partnership. The National Library of Scotland has a longstanding commitment to reduce our carbon footprint and has achieved a reduction of almost 75% in our greenhouse gas emissions since 2009. We are eager to partner with other libraries to share good practice and support each other to reach net zero.
I’ve spent the past year helping to develop a Carbon Literacy for Libraries shareable course. I have loved hearing about the amazing climate action work libraries and librarians are doing in their communities. I believe libraries can play a major role in the transition to a greener world.’
Press contact
Sharon Hardwick
Communications Manager
Notes to Editors
CILIP, the library and information association, is the leading voice for the information, knowledge management and library profession. Our goal is to put information and library skills and professional values at the heart of a democratic, equal and prosperous society.
CILIP is a registered charity, no. 313014. www.cilip.org.uk
Research Libraries UK is a consortium of 39 of the leading and most significant research libraries in the UK and Ireland.
The Consortium of National and University Libraries (https://conul.ie/ ) is the representative body of research libraries in Ireland and Northern Ireland.
The National Library of Scotland (www.nls.uk) is a major European research library and one of the world’s leading centres for the study of Scotland and the Scots – an information treasure trove for Scotland’s knowledge, history and culture. The Library holds more than 30 million items dating back more than 1,000 years as well as a growing library of digital material. Every week the Library collects around 5,000 new items. Most of these are received under Legal Deposit legislation, which allows the Library to claim a copy of everything published in the UK.
