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The world faces global ecological systems challenges of unprecedented severity and threat. The scientific reality of climate change has been politicized; President Trump has withdrawn the US from the Paris Climate Accords and the action has moved city and state leaders to offset this maneuver. The role of public libraries as hubs for reliable information, learning, and community building is ever more critical to our future resilience and sustainability.

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There's no arguing that we all need to do more to protect our planet and promote environmental sustainability practices. We're not just talking about individuals; institutions and companies all have a responsibility to create sustainable initiatives and reduce the damage on our planet so that it can continue to be a safe place for future generations. While many organizations are still figuring out their sustainability goals, public libraries are ahead of the curve. Whether it's hiring environmentalists in residence, pursuing their LEED certification or reducing their carbon footprint by embracing digital resources, libraries showcase many examples of environmentally friendly practices. 

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Purpose This paper aims to propose a model which serves to illustrate that a number of factors are responsible for, and contribute to, the different forms of sustainability of digital information services. It also seeks to identify some areas of information research and their interrelationship in the context of sustainability of digital information services. Design/methodology/approach This research is based on critical analysis of a range of research and policy documents, and an environment scan, in different aspects of sustainability of information systems and services. Recent and relevant past research studies as well as some relevant government policies and initiatives have been critically analyzed in order to identify various factors that are said to contribute to the economic, social and environmental sustainability of information services. Findings It is noted that the sustainability of information has not been studied within the mainstream information science research. However, several previous research studies have produced findings and models that can be used to achieve some aspects of sustainability of information. It is also noted that various parameters of sustainability are inter-related and hence a proper research agenda has to be prepared, and concerted research efforts are needed in order to be able to develop and manage sustainable digital information services. Practical implications A model has been proposed showing the various factors to be studied for achieving the economic, social and environmental sustainability of information services. Interrelations among the different factors and their implications for sustainability of digital information systems services are also discussed. Originality/value The model is expected to open new vistas for research in the economic, social and environmental sustainability of digital information systems and services. It will develop new tools, technologies and applications for building sustainable information systems and services appropriate for the digital era.

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About a year ago I was talking to the chief sustainability officer at the University of Utah about my work as a librarian, and she made a surprising suggestion: ``Why don't you come work with us for a while?''

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In 2015, the UN adopted 17 goals for the Agenda for Sustainable Development. The library's work is visible in all the primary goals, particularly with respect to public access to information, technology, and lifelong learning. Libraries are at the intersection between culture, education and lifelong learning, public health, and social work. The Norwegian Parliament adopted the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) as a foundation for regional and municipal planning. SDGs are also incorporated in the Strategy for Libraries (2020--2023). In connection with the Strategy, the National Library of Norway (NB) allocating funding for projects aimed at the development of public libraries and special libraries. The authorities want people to enjoy and participate in outdoor life and trials. This improves health and quality of life, and it is a central part of the Norwegian cultural heritage. In the last years, it has become popular to bring the library to people enjoying the outdoors. People can encounter both books and literary activities when out in nature or at a cabin far from the public library. Through the project and development funds and the celebration of National Book Year 2019, and measures related to the Strategy, the NB has supported projects for open-air libraries. This makes public libraries more visible and available to people and will reach new user groups and promote a sustainable society. Several of the SDGs are utilized through the development and use of new methods for creating open-air libraries. 14 projects are presented to show the importance of bringing the library to people enjoying the outdoors.

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The article describes the role of libraries in promoting sustainability. It is asserted that libraries should choose to create, manage and promote an environment that supports the health and sustainability of human beings. The West Vancouver Memorial Library in British Columbia manages its resources through its Green Building Operations Policy.

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The article offers advice for librarians on how to adopt sustainability as a core value. Particular focus is given to the reports of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which has found that the immediate consequences of climate change are more dire than originally predicted. Additional topics discussed include making sustainability an inherent element in library school curricula and the deadly wildfire season in California in 2018.

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In 2007, the Chinese University of Hong Kong Library kicked off a conference series with the main theme of `Academic Librarian.' In 2016, the fourth conference of the series entitled Academic Librarian 4: Sustainable Academic Libraries: Now and Beyond was co-organized by the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Library and the Chinese University of Hong Kong Library. The Academic Librarian 4 Conference addresses the multi-dimensional issues of sustainability pertaining to academic libraries under four major themes: (1) Sustainable Environment; (2) Sustainable Resources; (3) Sustainable Technologies; and (4) Sustainable Services. Apart from reviewing the key issues concerning the sustainability of academic libraries brought up by the conference papers, the author also highlights the way in which the Academic Librarian 4 Conference made every effort to make this a sustainable library event.

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Das Thema Klimawandel ist zurzeit allgegenwärtig. Die Klimajugend demonstriert und streikt regelmässig für eine bessere Zukunft. Die Route, welche die demonstrierenden Jugendlichen nehmen, führt sie direkt an meinem Arbeitsplatz in Bern vorbei. Das veranlasste mich dazu, mich über die Aktivitäten der Klimajugend zu informieren. Dabei stiess ich auf den Climate Action Plan (CAP), den die Schweizer Fraktion der Klimajugend aktuell ausarbeitet. Beim Durchschauen der Arbeitspapiere der CAP- Arbeitsgruppe Bildung fiel mir auf, dass bei den Kooperationspartnern und Wissensorten keine Bibliotheken vorkommen und das, obwohl der Zugang und die Vermittlung von Information rund um das Thema Klima und Nachhaltigkeit eines der Hauptziele des CAPs ist. Ich arbeite in der Mediothek des Instituts für Weiterbildung und Medienbildung der PHBern. Da gibt es eine eigene Abteilung mit Medien zum Thema Bildung für Nachhaltige Entwicklung (BNE). Auch in anderen Bibliotheken findet man etliche Sachbücher zum Thema. Bibliotheken könnten im Prozess der Wissensvermittlung eine zentrale Rolle einnehmen. Offensichtlich reicht es aber nicht aus, einschlägige Literatur anzubieten, denn die Bibliotheken werden in ihrer Rolle als Wissensvermittler nicht wahrgenommen oder vergessen. Was müssen Bibliotheken also dafür tun, um die Themen Klima und Nachhaltigkeit stärker zu vermitteln? Und was tun sie bereits heute dafür? Damit das Thema Nachhaltigkeit und Bibliotheken im Rahmen der Bachelorarbeit untersucht werden konnte, musste das Thema eingeschränkt werden. Die Nachhaltigkeit schränkte ich auf die Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) ein, welche im nächsten Kapitel vorgestellt werden. Die SDGs boten sich an, weil sie verhältnismässig jung und immer noch sehr aktuell sind. Gleichzeitig sind sie von internationaler Bedeutung und der zu untersuchende Zeitraum ist klar abgesteckt. Ein weiterer Grund ist, dass sie durch die Breite an Themen alle verschiedenen Aspekte der Nachhaltigkeit aufnehmen und sich nicht nur auf die ökologische Nachhaltigkeit beziehen.

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Research libraries have provided a key to unlocking the knowledge of the centuries. The nature of their stewardship of knowledge has led to a focus on understanding the value and sustainability in terms of collections. The extraordinarily rich collections have made a great contribution to education and to the communities they serve. A new theory of change which underpins the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG s) highlights the contribution that activities can make to improve national and international economic, social, community and governmental health. This article analyses the nature of major research library activities in light of the SDGs methodology. Taking this broad framework to the work of International Alliance of Research Universities (IARU) libraries provides new insights into the value and broader contribution of those libraries. The indicators assessed in the framework specifically relate to the outcomes of education and information within the societies they service. The case study suggests that the libraries make a significant and deep contribution both to the current national environments as well as in creating a framework for future returns on the investment to their universities.

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In 2015, the United Nations adopted a program of principles, Agenda 2030, to create a more sustainable world and better the living conditions for people. In this ambition, culture plays a crucial role. As such, the world goals seem to be an obvious topic for Danish public libraries, but this has not been the case until recently. This study is based on a mixed-method approach including document studies, semi-structured interviews, and participation in a practitioners' conference. It finds that Danish librarians strive to make the world goals comprehensible and articulate the parent institution as local communicators. Libraries are shown to be correctives to current commercial structures, but apart from this display great variation in how far the various libraries are advanced in their sustainable transformation. The study concludes that public libraries inform citizens about the ambition of the world goals as a starting point for adjustments in the citizens' actions. Public libraries have ventured into unknown territory, where previous practices do not hold much status. Many library professionals lack this awareness, which is necessary for our understanding of the United Nations world goals as a library policy task.

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The Sustainable Libraries Initiative's Sustainable Libraries Certification Program (SLCP) provides library leaders with a tested, structured path forward to increase your library's commitment to environmental stewardship, economic feasibility, and social equity.

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The Chinese University of Hong Kong Library kicked off a series of conference with the main theme on ‘Academic Librarian’ since 2007. In 2016, the fourth conference of the series entitled Academic Librarian 4: Sustainable Academic Libraries: Now and Beyond was co-organized by the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Library and the Chinese University of Hong Kong Library. The Academic Librarian 4 Conference addresses the multi-dimensional issues of sustainability pertaining to academic libraries under four major themes: (1) Sustainable Environment; (2) Sustainable Resources; (3) Sustainable Technologies; and (4) Sustainable Services. Apart from reviewing the key issues concerning the sustainability of academic libraries brought up by the conference papers, the author also highlights the way in which the Academic Librarian 4 Conference tried every effort to make this a sustainable library event.

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Brazil, a world leader in natural resources, has been taking measures in order to guarantee an effective implementation of public policies, as well as effective environmental and educational management in its practices and services by aiming at environmental sustainability. However, regarding the Library Science field, specially the sector of Public Libraries, the roles and responsibilities of these institutions and librarians are little discussed in this scenario. This paper assumes that public libraries are institutions supported by the government, therefore they should be the first institutions to incorporate principles of sustainability and turn themselves into models of green cultural facilities in the country. This work presents a brief scenario of Brazilian public libraries, especially the Biblioteca Parque do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, the only facility of its kind that has achieved the Gold LEED Environmental Certificate. It also discusses the Ministry of Environment's Sala Verde project, which offers a collection of environmental books which aim at fostering the development of green rooms and their patrimony for environmental education and sustainability in Brazilian libraries. This study also suggests national guidelines for the implementation of public policies for green and sustainable libraries in the country. The objective is to stimulate such implementation in local and state governments.

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The sustainable development in librarianship is relatively a new research field. This paper aims to increase readers' understanding of sustainable development challenges in Library and Information Science (LIS) in terms of complexity and diversity. A detailed plan was drawn up from Preferred Reporting Items for the Systematic Review and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) to achieve the objectives of this study. An inclusion and exclusion criteria was established and each study item passed through identification, screening, eligibility and inclusion before being placed in the final pool of items. This paper reviewed literature chosen from LISA, LISTA, Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar databases spanning from 2000 to 2020. Findings revealed that there was diverse type of sustainable development challenges in Library and Information Science (LIS). Absence of sustainable strategies, lack of sustainable education in the LIS curriculum, operations, services and buildings designs and massive energy consumption due to long service hours of libraries were major challenges. More importantly, the rapid digital and technological advances have made libraries' current equipment irrelevant casting a large carbon footprint on the globe. Challenges to adaptation are compounded by clinging to old traditions and resistance to change which limit the ability to plan for long term sustainable development (SD) goals. There is need to remove these obstacles to accrue benefits for today and far reaching implications for the future. The study provides an integrative report to help library leaders and educational policy makers in Pakistan to apply SD initiatives more effectively according to the institutes' contextual needs. The results of this study will also help further the sustainability agenda in LIS by incorporating sustainability into the LIS curriculum.

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