Speichern als BibTeX  Speichern als EndNote  Abstract

Public libraries are at a critical juncture; usage is up while funding is down. Library leaders cannot afford to be complacent; we must adapt traditional tools and employ fresh thinking, new skills, discipline, and hard work. Ensuring the sustainability of public libraries should include attention to strategic planning, community building, and advocacy. It has become clear that neither public goodwill toward libraries nor libraries delivering excellent services will guarantee adequate support and funding---we need to find new ways to ensure that public libraries will survive and thrive in the future.

Speichern als BibTeX  Speichern als EndNote  Abstract

Das Projekt „Plastiktaschen RAUS – Stofftaschen REIN“ ist ein Umweltprojekt des Jugendteams der Walserbibliothek Raggal in Zusammenarbeit mit den Walserbibliotheken, dem e5-energieteam großes walsertal und der REGIO Großes Walsertal. Das Jugendteam der Walserbibliothek Raggal verfügt über ausgebildete Klimabotschafter (plant for the planet) und möchte mit diesem Projekt versuchen, Plastiktaschen in den Geschäften im Biosphärenpark Großes Walsertal durch Taschen aus umweltschonenden Materialien wie aus Altkleidern oder Altstoffen zu ersetzen.

Speichern als BibTeX  Speichern als EndNote  Abstract

Müller, Christiane: Bücher leihen, Ideen teilen – Bücher in der Sharing Economy. Berlin: Simon Verlag für Bibliothekswissen, 2017. (Rezension)

Speichern als BibTeX  Speichern als EndNote  Abstract

Vor einigen Gebäuden der Bibliotheken (der Universitätsbibliothek der Freien Universität Berlin) stehen seit Kurzem unübersehbare Mini-Beete zusammen mit Zinkeimern, kleinen Insektenhotels und Vogeltränken. Auf dem Weg von oder zur Arbeit, zur Vorlesung oder zum Bibliotheksbesuch fällt es sofort ins Auge.

Speichern als BibTeX  Speichern als EndNote  Abstract

This article stresses the importance of building design above technology as a relatively inexpensive way to reduce energy costs for a library. Emphasis is placed on passive solar design for heat and daylighting, but also examines passive ventilation and cooling, green roofs, and building materials. Passive design is weighed against technologies that actively capture renewable energy. Best practice examples include new construction and retrofits. Active technologies for capturing renewable energies, such as photovoltaic panels, can be employed when passive solutions are not realistic due to limitations resulting from site selection. Building or remodeling an environmentally sustainable building is more costly than a conventional equivalent, but long-term savings in energy and maintenance can more than compensate for the initial investment. Passive solar heat is particularly compatible with library functionality because it invites natural light into living spaces and eliminates noise that would otherwise exist with forced-air HVAC systems. Practical suggestions for subtle improvements to existing buildings are offered in addition to more ambitious construction projects.

Speichern als BibTeX  Speichern als EndNote

Speichern als BibTeX  Speichern als EndNote  Abstract

As we think through the lessons we have learned over the past four years, one thing is quite clear: the way ``we've always done things'' is not sustainable for the well-being of our communities. We need to seek out those patterns that are emerging to systemically change the policy landscape of our society, economy and the environment and respect that leadership may look different in the coming years.

Speichern als BibTeX  Speichern als EndNote  Abstract

Using the Web and social networking tools, librarians have created green blogs, wikis, newsletters, and an open-access journal devoted to ecological issues. They share environmentally friendly practices, exchange ideas on sustainable environmental solutions, and participate in disseminating scholarly environmental information. The popularity of these resources is demonstrated by their impressive online access statistics, indicating the high level of interest in sustainable practices and new ideas on greening libraries. The creation of institutional green policy needs to be integrated into libraries' collection policies, services to the public, operation of the buildings, licenses with vendors and publishers, preservation and digitalization policies, and purchase of equipment and products. This is why an objective assessment of sustainable environmental practices is needed in order to concentrate on those practices that support broader goals of human, social, and economic library sustainability and promote the future sustainable growth of libraries.

Speichern als BibTeX  Speichern als EndNote  Abstract

This paper explores sustainability, sustainability awareness, and how it is measured in academic libraries in the United States, and considers how assessment tools or key performance indicators (KPIs) could enhance sustainability efforts in these libraries. The American Library Association core values include sustainability, and several other associations outline the need for sustainability and provide suitable policies and guidelines surrounding sustainability for its successful implementation. However, owing to the complexity of sustainability, often only one of the issues (i.e., social equity, economic feasibility, or environmental stewardship) is addressed, with little consideration for their interactions with the other issues, and most often, is not directly assessed or measured. Therefore, this study assessed sustainability awareness and sustainability efforts and how they are measured in US academic libraries using a survey. Although a limited response was received, the results indicated that few libraries embraced sustainability holistically, with limited assessment of sustainability initiatives, and little direction from leadership. However, for sustainable solutions, it is necessary for library leadership to recommit to their values, promoting a culture of sustainability through continual assessment to benefit their communities in the long term.

Speichern als BibTeX  Speichern als EndNote  Abstract

University Libraries in Africa have a role in driving the destinies of their nations in the provision of information that inform leadership on pertinent issues. Today, more than ever, the well being of humanity and social equity is threatened as a result of the imbalance created by the economic system against the earth’s capacity. While, great effort has been made to contain it, there is urgent concern that the situation is out of control and to continue on the same path is suicidal. Like the clapping of thunder from a distance, momentum has picked to combat the impending disaster of increased environmental risks and ecological scarcities. University libraries have immense potential to position themselves as drivers of change in the strive for green transformation, environmental sustainability and sustainable development. Preparedness is a prerequisite for all key players and Libraries and those who manage information cannot be excluded. This paper uses the University of Nairobi Library to expound on the debate on the preparedness of Libraries in Africa to engage and pick momentum needed to be relevant to the cause of green transformation and environmental sustainability. Being the oldest well known University in Kenya and beyond, it has an immense collection of information that can be utilized to help inform direction in the green transformation discourse. The paper examined the University of Nairobi Library holistically, the staffing skills, the infrastructure as well as the digital repositories, the online materials including the existing subscription databases for relevancy, currency, accessibility as well as availability of the materials in the green transformation and sustainable development. The result confirms the extent to which the University of Nairobi Library understands, has captured and projects information that is in tandem with emerging new frontiers of studies in the subject. The gaps are isolated and areas for improvements are highlighted.

Speichern als BibTeX  Speichern als EndNote  Abstract

Food dehydration is one of the oldest forms of food preservation. Dehydration, simply put, removes moisture from the food item in order to prevent the growth of spoilage and microorganisms that can cause illness. Dehydrating foods can be simple and easy. The food is placed in a food dehydrator, which circulates hot air that reduces the moisture content of the food. The dehydration process also reduces bulk so that the food item becomes lightweight. Dehydrated food can be great for taking on trips, hiking, snacking, used in soups, stews and casseroles, and so on. Because it prolongs the food's shelf life, and the food's nutrient content is concentrated, it is a wonderful alternative method of food preservation.

Speichern als BibTeX  Speichern als EndNote  Abstract

Eight students from Greystones schools who read over 20 books as part of a special reading project were rewarded at a special ceremony in the Greystones Municipal District offices on Tuesday last (Sept 26th). The students were taking part in the inaugural ``Reading Goals'' book club, a specialised children's book club that read books connected to the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The book club is based in Greystones Library. The club was established in February 2021 and coincided with ``Ireland Reads'', an initiative of the Government of Ireland, supported by public libraries.

Speichern als BibTeX  Speichern als EndNote  Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study is to clarify the role of libraries in society and implement the process of sustainable development, clarify the role of university libraries and evaluate them based on components, green library indicators and lead standards and provide strategies to them. Methodology: The present study was conducted using the library methods and literature review. Results: The research findings showed that in order to have a green university library, this issue should first be considered by the society and the government, and in order to implement it, it should start by promoting green thinking and culture in the society. Because many of our problems in this area are rooted in culture and misuse of natural and non-renewable resources. University libraries have a great role to play in this regard due to their mission in teaching culture and creating a global civilization. Conclusion: To have a university green library, you do not necessarily have to start with a green building, but these libraries have green missions. Optimal use of water and non-renewable energy, use of recycling methods and waste management are known as green libraries.

Speichern als BibTeX  Speichern als EndNote

Speichern als BibTeX  Speichern als EndNote  Abstract

The aim of this paper is to show how small and locally oriented projects like the Green library project can grow and expand to a national level. The Green Library project was first initiated in 2011. by the Librarian Association of Istria, with the goal of educating the public and raising awareness about sustainable development and the necessity for environmental protection. The project was received exceptionally well in the County of Istria, and its activities were well attended. Since the beginning of 2013. Public library Fran Galović in Koprivnica implements this idea and integrates “green” topics into its regular programs. Most of the programmes were oriented on small practical steps and advices on what we can do in our everyday lives to contribute and participate in sustainable development and environmental protection. During National assembly of Croatian Library Association in October 2014. Project Green library has expanded on a national librarian level by establishing the Working group for Green libraries. The aim of this Group is to establish a network of libraries ready to be involved in an existing form of the project and to participate in the education of general public and raising the awareness about the importance of a sustainable society as well as to advocate for the environmental protection through libraries and library associations.

Speichern als BibTeX  Speichern als EndNote  Abstract

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have become a focal point of global efforts to address pressing issues such as poverty, inequality, and environmental sustainability. Kocc University (Turkey) Suna Kiracc Library Sustainability Committee is actively continuing its work to raise awareness and promote the 17 SDGs set by the United Nations. Following our successful Textbook Swap1 campaign, we are taking SDG awareness to the next level by creating a dedicated Subject Guide.

Speichern als BibTeX  Speichern als EndNote  Abstract

Green information literacy, accompanied by the heightened awareness of the sustainable development, thinking, and individual and collective behavior shift in confrontation with environmental crises, includes skills such as demand analysis, information resource identification, familiarization with searching methods, and information assessment and organization, in order to help the environment, and fosters the conscious decision-making in people to resolve environmental issues. Public librarians in Iran have passed and operationalized a bill under the title of ‘The Promotion of Environmentalism through Green Information Literacy in Iranian Public Libraries’, supported by Iran Public Libraries Foundational and Art and Cultural Organization of Tehran Municipality, to handle the national environmental crises. This bill played a key role in the promotion of environmentalism by holding sustainable green literacy workshops, fostering the skills of people in dealing with environmental issues, accommodating green literacy standards to popularize the sustainable environmental thinking, gathering information about the impacts of the information behavior and performance on the environment, and sharing these pieces of information with people on the social media.

Speichern als BibTeX  Speichern als EndNote  Abstract

As motors of change driving development, public libraries, with their commitment to information provision and access, are crucial to the realization of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This article contributes to emerging Library and Information Science scholarship on the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by arguing for the central roles played by public libraries in realizing its goals. The purpose is twofold. First, it overviews the agenda's history coupled with the start of a literature review of the Library and Information Science research on it. Second, it presents a conceptual framework in which to approach the agenda's goals and associated targets within the context of public libraries. The ultimate aim is to establish a base for and expand awareness of the UN 2030 Agenda within the Library and Information Science discipline, in addition to promoting the importance of public libraries in advancing sustainable development efforts generally and the agenda specifically.

Speichern als BibTeX  Speichern als EndNote  Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine the shaping of public libraries as an infrastructure for a sustainable public sphere through a comprehensive literature review. Design/methodology/approach: In order to capture the whole picture of this research field, we utilize comprehensive review methodology. The major research questions are: first, to what extent have research topics regarding libraries as public sphere institutions expanded and diversified? Which theoretical perspectives inform research? Second, which challenges and topics does the research focus upon, such as: social inclusion and equal access to information; digital inequalities; censorship and freedom of expression; and access to places and spaces with a democratic potential and the role of libraries in that respect? Third, what influence has social media exerted on libraries in the context of the expanding digital world? Findings: The authors identified mainly four themes regarding the public library and public sphere, such as: the importance of public libraries by using Habermas's theory; the function of meeting places within the public library and setting those places in the center of the library in order to enhance and encourage democracy; the relationship between social inclusion and public libraries and its functions in current society such as diminishing the digital divide; and the emerging electronic resources and arena of SNS in public libraries and utilizing them to reach citizens. Originality/value: Capturing the recent history of this research field through comprehensive review is valuable.

Speichern als BibTeX  Speichern als EndNote  Abstract

Introduction. The aim of this paper is to critically examine how public libraries are portrayed as contributing to social sustainability. Meanings ascribed to the concept are investigated and if, and then how, the public library is shaped in relation to it. Method. Library plans from five municipalities in Sweden are analysed and discussed in the light of previous research. Analysis. Bacchi's method `what´s the problem represented to be' is used to scrutinize what problem the public library is supposed to be part of the solution of. Results. Three policies represent the `problem' as a current threat to democratic values, safety and stability. By favouring social sustainability, the library contributes to robust communities and to enable trust. In two policies, sustainability is related to development and change. Conclusions. When libraries are put forth as places encouraging users to take responsibility for social sustainability a tremendous responsibility is placed on individuals. Our suggestion for disrupting this argument is to recognise social unrest as a consequence of inequalities and unequal distribution of resources and to acknowledge pluralism and difference. Thereby, libraries may contribute to social sustainability and democracy by being places where social antagonism can be transformed to agonism.